I’ve sewn up my white trees fabric… into a top! I drafted it myself but it is a pretty simple silhouette; basically a big oversized T-shape, with something interesting in the form of the completely open top edge. The top edges of front and back have a full length button and buttonhole placket respectively, stretching from sleeve hem to sleeve hem along the whole neckline, and it’s partially buttoned up to close the top of the sleeves. Technically, you could button the top edge up all the way, except that the neckline is curved as an anti-strangulation measure. It’s funny though, when you’re wearing it you can’t really tell the neckline is curved, it reads as an almost straight edge.
It is based on several different sources of inspiration: years ago I had a Metalicus Tshirt that had an open top with snaps, that could open like this from sleeve right the way along the neckline; and also a few months ago Kirsty posted plans for her gorgeous top from the Japanese pattern book She has a Mannish Style, a top with a wide buttoned neckline although with separate closed sleeves. I sorta combined those concepts in the design of my own top.
Most time consuming bit: I fiddled for aaaages with the spacing of the buttons/buttonhole, so it would both look “right” and also that I could have a button placed just at the point on my shoulders where I wanted it to go.
Since the front neckline has a lower dip than the back, the buttons are spaced a little more wide apart along the front curve than the corresponding buttonholes at the back. I sewed up the rest of the top completely, before doing the button/buttonhole plackets along the top edge, this was the last step. The top edges were interfaced with similarly shaped strips of iron-on interfacing and then I sewed the plackets on.
What else. Oh, and it’s got pockets, too (blush)
I fear I have some sort of weird pocket obsession… is pocket-aholic a “thing”? Guess I should sign myself up ;D
Details:
Top; my own design, coffee cotton broadcloth, screen-printed by me with little white trees here
Skirt; Vogue 1247, blue damask, details here and my review of this pattern here
Sandals; c/o Misano
Oh wow, that is amazing! So simple in shape, but the print and the cool button detail just makes it superb. I might have to be "inspired" by this… 🙂
Dilly, thank you, and please do 🙂
It's so nice to see this fabric made up – and into such an awesome, clever and useful top! I bet you find this goes with so many things that it will become a wardrobe staple, and the little trees look lovely.
Yes, that button had to go right where you placed it. It's a lovely, simple, effective top, and with pockets too – I hate that most garments now don't have pockets, I mean, where do you put hankies or tissues? And hands 🙂
And the fabric did turn out well 🙂
So very cute:) I love the tree designs and of course the pockets
Clever design for an awesome result !
As for the pockets, you've got 4 of them in this outfit If I count properly. How do you choose where to put your hands then ? Terrible choice !
hehe, I know I know! so many to choose from, and then other times I'll have on a skirt and top but with NO pockets *hands flailing about with nowhere to go*
This is so you! Lovely!
lovely! (and pocket-aholic is definitely a thing). i love the shoulder/ sleeve buttons.
Nice post meh, I learnt something from this post and I'm working on making it useful. The blog reminds me of an equally interesting blog on my reading list http://danieluyi.com Dating and Personal Development Blog .
keep up the good work.
Regards
perfect 😉
I love this! The material is lovely and the pockets are inspired. I found the button placement the hardest part on my top as well (and I'm about to embark on another one as I love it so much). I think my button placement is about 1/2 cm off for the neck – so hope to fix it this time
Really nice, Carolyn! It's a nice use of your screen printed fabric and I really like the button/buttonhole detail.
I especially love the buttons across the top.
Love the button detail, so chic. It goes perfectly with those trees. It looks very Japanese
A great summer top! I enjoy seeing all your pocket modifications. If it's an addiction, it's a really useful one:)
This reminds me of the classical Greek chiton: http://www.beazley.ox.ac.uk/dictionary/Dict/ASP/dictionaryBody.asp?name=chiton.htm
Something fascinating (to me) about your comment is: when I saw the word "chiton" I immediately thought of the mollusc, upon which some of my post-graduate thesis research was based, and some the tree prints actually DO look a LOT like chitons (the mollusc) which hadn't even occurred to me before!! And yes, you are absolutely right, the shape of my top does look a lot like those tunics too. Such a co-incidence!
I love this!! The fabric is amazing, you did such a great job, and I really like the simple top you made too!
what a great shape, looks a bit retro, 60-70's looks that were all about the simple outlines. great use of buttons.
It is gorgeous, as usual. The trees are just stunning!
Lovely – perfect for a hot summer's day.
I love that shape. And I agree with Beth, it reminds me of the 70´s. Love the details, not just the print, but the buttons! Can I copy your idea somehow, someday? I´m all for not attaching sleeves at the moment! 😉
Merche; of course you may! I'm flattered that you like it enough to want to copy 🙂
I love it! The buttons and the fabric are amazing!
Lovely fabric! And, I too have a pocket obsession and must put them in everything I make. It's something to do with your hands, moreso than actually carrying around your days supplies in them. Love your buttons on the shoulders as well.
How lovely – it looks so cool and fresh!
Perfect top for those hot summer days that are on their way.
Love it! This is the kind of style I would love to wear! The white print on the taupe fabric gives it a unique touch, it's truly one of a kind isn't it?
Another Fabulous piece! I really like the shape and will have to remember that button trick. What a lovely use of your screen printed fabric.
Love the buttons going down the sleeves. Your screen print is pretty amazing too.
It's so funny! Full details of this top are fun! Pocket, print, pattern, buttons, everything is so smart! You are great!
This is a cool top-I love that it is ALL from your own creativity!
It turned out sooo cute! Love the trees and the buttons over the shoulders.
I'm loving your one of a kind garments.Why do I see this in a fine museum gift shop? …… selling for lots of $$$$
BTW – I just bought a Fashionary thanks to you!
Beautiful! I love the print, and the button idea is very, very cool. If it's very hot, you could even wear it with unbuttoned sleeves, maybe? (Although with your summers, you probably appreciate the sun cover…)
Great top. The patterning works really well with it. Jo x
This is so pretty! Love how the buttons go all the way across the top. I would love to make one like this one day!
I love the print. The button placement is so fun! It looks like a great garment. My only negative is that given you have such a great figure, it seems a shame to hide it. I appreciate that you want looser garments in summer to keep cool.
thank you for the compliment Shelley! and yes, fitted clothing is almost unbearable during our hottest days, often topping 40C here 🙂