I’ve made a couple of new tops lately 🙂
loose draped top from drape drape, by Hisako Sato. Modified in that A; I removing a
wedge of the width in the neckline drape both front and back, so I could fit both pattern pieces
onto my small-ish piece of fabric, and B; this time I made it as a double layered top, since my fabric is so thin it’s thisclose to sheer. This was a rayon/linen remnant bought from the
Morrison’s fabric sale, a grey-ish ivory/bone colour with a very subtle, paler, knitted-in stripe which barely shows up at all in the pictures!
side out.
think step by step, how to do the double-layering! so I took pictures and am writing a little how-to on my method so I don’t forget for next time. Appearing here soon 🙂
I think it’s that the fabric, a knit remnant from Potter’s Textiles was just not suited to an oversized silhouette, being both heavy and weirdly clingy at the same time. The combination as a whole was instantly frumpifying, like a hospital gown; or looking like you had to borrow your man’s ratty Tshirt from his gym bag in the car because you’ve ruined your dress, or something. The exact opposite of chic.
In anticipation that some kind people might express approval of the “before” version, please know that these are the very least offensive pictures, and let me point out that any vestiges of appeal are probably due to the fact that my hand is in a pocket/on my waist, giving it an appearance of shape that it did not have. Other photos where it’s hanging straight and loose had the hospital gown/grotty man’s gym Tshirt vibe.
So I cut out of it my much more fitted, regular tried-and-true custom fit Tshirt. It’s still pretty blah but least I don’t unequivocally hate it now.
I’m thinking it will be ok for warmth or whatever during winter. Heck, another layer’s another layer. We’ll see how it goes!
Details:
Ivory top; the loose drape top, from the Japanese pattern book drape drape by Hisako Sato, ivory rayon/linen
Chocolate top; ultimately, my custom fit Tshirt pattern, chocolate jersey knit
Shorts; Burda 7723, charcoal stretch gabardine, details here and my review of this pattern here
Your ivory top looks lovely and will be interested to see your notes as I have a few pieces of fabric that could benefit from that sort of technique. I can fully understand your lack of love for the chocolate large t-shirt, definitely not a style I could see you wearing and thankfully you could salvage it for your custom fit t-shirt. Winter will see some of your wonderful scarfs and I'm certain you have some gorgeous knits that will make this little baby sing.
I love your cream top! I've almost finished a dress in a similar front and back drape design, in silk jersey for a friends wedding. Oh the stress…… Anyway I'm totally with you on meh makes – at least yours seem few and far between! 🙂
I am sure the whit top will get lots of use even as the days cool. I can totally understand your remaking the brown one. There is nothing worse than having something in your wardrobe you know will never get worn.
These are lovely! One day I want to get my hands on this book for sure.
They are both nice!
Beautiful – I really don't mind the second one at all – would look nice with a long necklace and skinny jeans. Was that the thinner tencel knit from Potters? I was thinking of getting it, but might not now…
Thank you Kat 🙂 the brown fabric isn't very thin, it's actually a bit thick and spongy? and it's not a tencel… I can't remember the composition, sorry! but I bought it a few years ago so their stock is probably completely different now. I haven't been there for a little while but I've always found Potter's has a really nice range of fabrics 🙂
You whipped it into shape – it looks chic now!
Haha, U R Right… I Also Thought The Before Pics Of The 2Nd Top Looks Good To me, But I Made My Outfit Oversized And Baggy All The Time Anyways ;)LooK Forward To Learn The Technique U Used For The 1St Top!
I really like that draped top with your modification – not too much drape with the wedge removed. And don't you love lingerie straps? I like being able to buy them ready to just sew in.
Lovely tops. I love the first one very pretty.
I love both these tops. Cowl neck lines are always chic. I love the colour and drape of the 2nd tshirt fabric and didn't initially understand the issue (pictures don't always deliver their 1000 worth). I hadn't realised initially that the first photo was the improved version. Not a fan of dropped shoulders at the best of times, I can well imagine that a very heavy fabric would really drag it all down. Well done you on the rescue job! I've just finished a 'draft' t-shirt and I'm not sure I like it well enough to buy actual fabric to make it again. It was nice to figure all the ins and outs (nothing complex, but patterns are still a bit of a puzzle to me) without worrying about wasted money. I made it from bits cut from three t-shirts headed for the bin bag and I used spare bits of thread to finish off some partial spools. Might have to dress up Matilda (the dress form) and blog about it…
I'm laughing at "instantly frumpifying." I know how that is! The drapey one is lovely.
The cream top is lovely! I really like seeing peoples makes from these Drspe Drape books. At least you managed to rescue the second top, even if it did take a lot of time & effort!
Hi!!! I missed you!
I like both tops but of course a nice cowl looks always smarter. Great photos!
Loving the cream top and I can see what you mean about the second top. I like the more fitted version.
I love both of your tops, they are very cute and your shorts is very cute too 😉
Both of the tops look like basics that will get lots of wear.
And it's always great to see "the happiest dog in the world".
🙂
thank you! she does have a natural "smile" 🙂
both are really cute, simple tops.
The basics always take a lot of experience to do well and you have that experience.
They are beauties and so easy to wear with everything. Jo x
Hello ! Both pictures of Sienna and you are just so beautiful : the light, the colours, the sea as calm as a lake…
I really love the first top – the drape is stunning. And a big meh to when fabric doesn't sew up the way you want it to – good save with what you had to work with! (and your puppy is super ridiculously cute as a complete sidenote)
Well I can see a lot of uses for both these tops…I can feel your apathy coming off the screen but with your cooler weather coming up, hopefully you will get a lot of layering use. After all, great colours for you 🙂
The drape top came out really cute. 🙂 Ah, sometime the fabric just doesn't behave the way one imagined, right? At least you got a decent t-shirt out of it. 🙂