I did it!

A redheaded woman in a top that ties at one shoulder. The top is in various shade of blue, plus a splash of spring green.

That top that wasn't going well? I completed it. No manky bit of fabric's getting the better of me! I sat down yesterday and worked on it, and completed it at about 10pm, which is what happens when you're both a slow sewist and really nitpicky about the finish on seams and edges. 

Overall, it's not as bad as I'd feared. It's pretty comfy to sit around in, and while there are some obvious pull lines across the chest it doesn't actually feel tight. The hem's a bit stretched, but then this is my first time working on the bias so I'm not going to beat myself up about that. (Do stretched hems soften over time?) I had to remove a lot of fabric from the front and back hem to get things level with the side seams, and I'd prefer the whole thing to be a few inches longer, so if I make another I'll add a couple of inches at the sides. The bow's a bit odd; I'd anticipated it looking like the shoulder was tied, but it just sort of sits there. I'm tempted to try knotting the tie around the shoulder instead.

The head and shoulders of a redheaded woman in a top that ties at one shoulder. The top is in various shade of blue, plus a splash of spring green.

But I'm looking on this as a success. I worked with a more delicate fabric than I have previously, on the bias. I dropped the bust darts by a couple of inches. That actually made me feel pretty awful to do – an admission that youthful perkiness is no longer mine! – and also slightly sad when I look at the garment for the same reasons, but what I need to do is focus on the fit. Because when the top is on, no-one thinks, 'Mmm, those darts are a bit low.' Whereas if I'd left them in the place they were on the pattern, it'd be obvious either the darts were too high or the boobs too low. As I keep telling other people "It's not your body that's wrong, it's the clothes." Poor-fitting clothes draw attention to things that simply aren't noticed when clothes fit well. So I shall jolly well continue to drop those darts.

I'll definitely wear the top, and I might even wear it around other people. Yup, that's a success.

Here's a shot inside the shoulder. As you can see, I've French-seamed the garment, and finished all raw edges. I try never to leave raw edges as they fray and get tatty, but it's especially important with a delicate fabric where the whole thing could easily come apart. 

The inside of a piece of sewing, showing a bias-bound armhole, french seamed shoulder, and a neatly-finished facing.

Comments

  1. That top looks absolutely fantastic, it fits perfectly and I love the flirtatious shoulder bow. You really have done a great job. xxx

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    1. Thank you! It was some of my precious vintage stash fabric so I was determined not to ruin it.

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  2. It looks great! The bow placement is a nice feature that sets it apart from typical bow blouses. I hear ya on the lower bust darts. Damned gravity;)

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    1. The bow is on a press stud/snapper, and I have absolutely no idea why it needs to be. I didn't think the snapper worked very well so ended up stitching it loosely too.

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  3. Very nice indeed :) To my eye it it fits you wonderfully. Nice job on the seams, all very even and neat. I you find the hem flares too much for your liking you could try pressing it, but in my experience stretched seams are hard to fix. The bust dart thing is so true. Absolutely sad moment for most sewers, I think, when they have to lower the darts. You get used to it though, and learn to see it as one of a series of adjustments you make to a pattern to get the best possible fit. For me it's lower the bust dart (where the pattern has one, of course), move the shoulder seam toward the bust, and a slight rounded back adjustment. Thanks computer work...

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    1. Yes, I keep telling myself the gym will straighten my shoulders but I'm honestly not so sure... Wretched computers!

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  4. Totally admiring the finish on seams and edges, those details are Quality!. And the top looks fab, the colour and print are beautiful and fits you nicely!. Love particularly the bow!, such a cute detail!
    I agree on the 'it's not your body which is wrong, it's the clothes' (even if sometimes I have to repeat it to myself!) and glad to see that you're happy with the fit of the top. Looking fabulous!
    besos

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    1. I'm a fiend for finishing things nicely. Whenever I watch Sewing Bee, I always end up wondering what their seams are like on the inside... I'm guessing raw!

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  5. Yay, you finished it and what's more, it looks amazing on you! Love the jaunty shoulder bow! xxx

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    1. Thank you! The bow was what attracted me to it.

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    1. Thank you! I'm considering finding a pistachio skirt or pair of trousers to go with it, to pull out that part of the colour scheme.

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  7. Oh, you had me at French seams, Mim! You did a fantastic job, and you look awesome in your new top! I do agree, the bow needs some life. It's rather limp, poor thing.

    I also tell people, "it's not you, it's the clothes"! I'm super-impressed you worked on the bias here - I know how difficult that is (even though I don't sew).

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    1. I think with working on the bias the trick is just to be really, really gentle, so nothing gets stretched during cutting or sewing.

      I love French seams. On fine fabrics they give the best finish.

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