I have made a little top for Cassie to wear to work. Or wherever she pleases, of course 🙂
This is Vogue 1142, which I made in yellow silk for myself last month. Cassie admired it so I offered to make one for her. She enthusiastically accepted. A daughter loving the clothes I make?? gets me fired up with the zest to sew unselfishly straightaway.
I didn’t have anything suitable in my stash so I visited Fabulous Fabrics and bought a piece of lovely shell-pink viscose crepe. I think the soft delicate colour is a beautiful compliment to her pale peaches-and-cream complexion. Plus: viscose = wash-and-wear of course, so another ideal addition to her professional working wardrobe!
As in for my first version; I edge-stitched each pleat in place. The 100% viscose crepe is quite crisp and stiff compared to the thin silk I used previously; and it presses and pleats like a dream. I think those sharp regular pleats look absolutely wonderful in this more crisp fabric. I’ve taken lots of photos of those pleats and that artfully and prettily crinkled neckline because whilst I do love the slight floppiness of my own top I really really love how crisp, sharp and sculptural the pleats look in this fabric. It looks quite formal and business appropriate.
A little tip for working with this pattern: this time, as soon as I had edge-stitched the outer sets of pleats on each of the front and back I immediately pinned the pleats in place and stay-stitched along the shoulder stitching line. This makes it much easier to handle the big pieces, and having that stay-stitching makes sewing the shoulders together a bit easier too.
Also; this must be like the easiest pattern in the world to grade for size. Seriously!
Oh, you might be wondering if Cassie has barely had a single thing to wear since she got her job and I’ve contributed only one measly skirt to her working wardrobe?? well of course she has not gone without all this time! She does have one very nice pencil skirt that she has made for herself (un-blogged), and I have made a little woollen pencil skirt for her previously. Both suitable for the office and she has been rotating between the three skirts. And since I pledged to wear only my own handmade clothes this year, there is a nice little selection of shop-bought cardigans and random Metalicus items that she has joyfully transferred to her own wardrobe. At least my RTW clothes are not going to waste 🙂
Details:
Top; Vogue 1142, shell-pink viscose, my review of this pattern here
Skirt; Vogue 8363, black wool mix, details here and my review of this pattern here
That is so gorgeous!
Wow! I love this top. The design, the colour, the practicality. Just beautiful.
Really lovely. The blouse is quite nice as well-lol. I had not seen this pattern and I couldn't agree with you more. The crispness in contrast to the soft color makes it really special. Sewing for our girls is the best isn't it?
A daughter loving the clothes I make?? gets me fired up with the zest to sew unselfishly straightaway. – AGREE to this Completely! I can totally relate to it. Keep Sewing, love to see your creations. god bless!
Absolutely beautiful! Love the pleats and the color does suit her beautifully! A lovely addition to work attire!
If your original version didn't do then job at making me wistfully want for this pattern… then Mk II certainly has. But that wasn't necessary, because you already had me at the first. Another gorgeous make 🙂
Beautiful and none other like it where Cassie works, I'm willing to bet!
Beautiful! She does look great in those pale pink hues.
Very beautiful!
Pretty pretty pretty! I must let u know that I searched for the pattern at our local Joann's and they don't have it! I will check it out again next time I go 🙂
Oooh, it's so delicate and pretty. This is a beautiful top and it looks lovely tucked in for work. Yours looks much better than the picture on the pattern! Lucky you having a daughter to sew for!!
this top is just gorgeous! gosh, i've gotta add this pattern to my list for when vogue goes on sale. it's so structural and feminine… i love it!
This is so pretty. Great job, Mom.
Lucky Cassie, and lucky you that she's a big fan of your sewing!
Carolyn this top is gorgeous! I too like the crispness of this fabric – the detail is more obvious. Cassie is a very luck girl! This pattern has now gone onto my list!
Gorgeous! You sew such beautiful clothes, both tops are stunning.
This is a beautiful top, and it does look great on her. To me this is a perfect example of the payoff you can get sewing your own clothes. The top looks expensive and well-made…so different than the throwaway fashions in all the stores now.
It's beautiful, so much nicer than the work clothes in the shops at the moment, but then that's one of the reasons we sew!
Ethereal color, yet so crisp looking. A beautiful top that flatters Cassie very much!
So pretty and looks amazing with the pencil skirt.
Brilliant sewing! Love how this top flatters Cassie…J
This top is definitely a winner!! You both look amazing in it. Work and play appropriate either way. Cassie is one lucky young lady.
So pretty. The color is perfect for her, and I'm still in awe of your pleats.
This is a seriously beautiful shirt/blouse. And so pretty too.
Amazing! Well done.
I liked the yellow one, but love this one.
What a gorgeous top – very flowing. Looks great on your daughter.
Lovely!
It's beautiful and so is your daughter! x
this is really pretty on your daughter – love it
Your daughter is very pretty on this delicated blouse. I love all the pleats! It looks so comfy and light.
It looks fabulous. I would like to know what happens to the pleats when the garment is washed (hand washed of course)??? Do they stay in place or do you have to meticulously re-press them all?
As I wrote above: each fold is edge-stitched so no, they do not wash out. It might not show up in the pictures but there is a heck of a lot of top-stitching in this top!
This is gorgeous, I really want one for myself, although not sure if it would suit me.
Wauw, she looks fantastic. Wish I had someone to make close like that for me 🙂
That is completely beautiful! And does she permanently keep all that RTW or is it on loan?
what an elegant top, your daughter looks lovely in it, the colour is lovely on her. My daughter is just starting to let me make things for her rucksack, knitted socks, etc, she is 16 years old, I hope she will let me make clothing for her one day.
Carolyn, me da pena que estés tan lejos porque te comprarÃa uno de esos tops tan bonitos. Es precioso ¿Crees que quedarÃa bien adaptandolo como vestido?
so great!!
Please, adopt me! ;D I'll scrub the floors and do the laundry!
Now,seriously, she looks so pretty and femenine. She must be the smartest girl at work.
Stunning!
The colour is absolutely perfect on her! I love how the blouse looks tucked in. It gives it a totally different look.
How very pretty and interesting. Cassie looks lovely.
lovely, I always like pleats.
Oh, this is really gorgeous! And your yellow top is, too… somehow I missed that one. Both are really, really beautiful. This must have really been a lot of work with all the topstitching – but sooo worth it.
The top is lovely. It looks extremely time consuming to make. Cassie is very lucky, I hope she takes good care of it!
Cassie looks gorgeous in her new top. You've done an amazing job. I love how we can sew for our daughters and they wear the clothes we make. How lucky are we!!!! Ps: I have that pattern, so will dig it out – thanks for the post.
oh wow, that's really beautiful. Both of you are lucky!
It is a stunning top! Your daughter looks beautiful.
It really is a pretty top and I agree that the colour is perfect. I wish I liked Issey Miyake patterns. I admire them so much on other people, but they don't work on me, more is the pity!
This is an epic, structural work staple right here! I love this! I have been looking for a perfect block coloured but sassy work top and I am so tracking this one down. Fabulous work, Carolyn and thank you so much for the inspiration. Keep an eye out for the post!
Fabulous blouse and your daughter looks stunning!
This is beautiful. I wish my mother could sew one for me too. I think I'll have to do it myself;-)
You must have a very large closet to store all of your garments! I cannot imagine you ever not having anything to wear. What do you do with the things that, eventually, need to be discarded? Where do you wear all of these clothes?
You amaze me!
I am in the process of trying to pare down my wardrobe to about a dozen, or so , pieces, total. I admire all of your creations, but, I am seeking bare simplicity. Meanwhile, I really do enjoy your postings! The Pattern Magic creations are thought provoking. I love the Japanese ideas of fashion and design. The simplicity appeals to me. And, you do them so well!
Anon; thank you!
I wear my clothes day to day, and generally until they develop holes! but if a piece is really not working for me at all then I either pass it on to someone else or try to use the fabric to make something else.
Wow, a dozen pieces! Do you mean per season? I find it very difficult to pare down my wardrobe.. half the time if I do set aside something to give away I immediately want to wear it again 😀
That is an absolutely gorgeous blouse…it's a piece of art! How beautiful, Carolyn.
This is so lovely. The pleats are are so striking. The colour is perfect on her. So chic.
It so lovely that top – wish I could buy Vogue patterns her on the islands
What a gorgeous top! Love the colour on Cassie as well… no wonder she wanted you to make her one too 🙂
I love to hear how your older kids still really enjoy you sewing for them; mine will be there before I know it. Of course, I haven't been turning out such lovely items as this blouse! So pretty and unique.
Oh I love your top and you have inspired me to make 2 one for me and one for a friend. I realized after looking for the pattern that it is out of print :{ I did find one that goes up to a size 12 after going to 3 stores to look for the pattern but I also need a size 18 for my friend. I was hoping that maybe you could help me out and if you have the size 18 could you measure the 2 pieces of the top and tell me how big they are so I can add on to the pattern to make one for my friends birthday? I know she would love it! Thank you so much for reading my comment. Thanks Stacey Fahlk
my email is stacey@dchick.com
Hi Stacey; I'm sorry, my pattern only goes up to a 12 too. However, I looked at the Vogue website and you can still buy the pattern here
http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v1142-products-10660.php?page_id=948
But actually, the top is a very very loose top; I would describe it as oversized. If you make up the 12, get your friend to try it on and see how she feels. You might (or might not) need to only add an inch or so onto each side edge, front and back, and it would probably be fine.
I hope this helps! 🙂
you've really outdone yourself Carolyn. I am a huge fan of Issey Miyake – this is the one of few patterns of his I don't own. Beautiful interpretation of a beautiful design.