I’ve been busy making a few tops…
SO! Exhibits A and B; two Nettie tops,both made in a really gorgeous, pale cream knit from Fabulous Fabrics, given to me by Mum. Now, I know I’ve said a gazillion times before that I have SO MANY white tops I should never ever need to make another one, but you see; a full-sleeve-length ivory Tshirt was one of my most worn wardrobe items last year. So, I’m pretty confident that these two boring things are probably going to be two of the most worn things in my winter wardrobe this year too! #ivorytopaddict. I managed to squeeze two tops from out of my piece of fabric, yes! *air fist punch*
I’ve fine tuned my Nettie pattern now for my own figure, but I still have to sorta “start from scratch” with fitting when I’m cutting out a fabric with a different stretch factor than those I’ve used previously with this pattern; and this fabric has quite a low stretch. So to be cautious I upsized quite a bit, cutting approximately and roughly a size 20, and then pinned the sides in to fit me. Also; my fabric was just big enough for the two Netties, but only-just-and-not-quite-perfectly-enough!! you know how it is… you MAKE IT WORK. They both have long sleeves coming right down to my wrists, but I had to cut Nettie B (below) just a little shorter at the hemline, so that I could get the two tops from my one piece of fabric. It sits at my high hip; Nettie A (above) is longer, plainer, with a high crew neck, finished with a grainline-cut band, applied as for this method here.
Along the back edge only, I topstitched the seam allowance down to the top, just inside the seam line. In both cases, the raw edges of sleeve and lower edge are finished with the overlocker, than turned under once and invisibly hand-slipstitched in place.
Nettie B, below, is slightly cropped and has a wide, boatneck collar.
I had some interest for this collar/neckline on instagram, so I’ve drawn up a pattern for it… it’s kinda rough-looking and I do plan to improve the presentation but just wanted to get it up here for now. It does however, work! and so I hope it does prove useful for someone!
The method is as follows:
This is a collar/neckline designed for a close-fitting Tshirt in stretch knit fabric; the collar is a standup folded collar, and the neckline is wide and shallow. The idea is that you use your tried and true Tshirt pattern just ignoring the given neckline and substituting this neckline/collar for the one in your pattern. I used the Nettie pattern by Closet Case patterns, although any Tshirt pattern would do. Align the pattern pieces so the line of the shoulder seams and the centre front/back lines of this pattern are correctly aligned with the shoulder seams and front and back centre folds of your Tshirt pattern, and cut the neckline accordingly. Seam allowances are 1cm (3/8″), so if the Tshirt pattern you are using has a different seam allowance, align shoulder stitching lines (dotted lines) lines of the shoulder seam, rather than the cutting lines.
Cut the neckband/collar, with the short edges on the grain line. Sew the collar short edges together, right sides together. Fold the resulting “ring”of fabric in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, aligning raw edges… pin to the Tshirt neckline right sides together; distributing the length of the collar evenly around the neckline. Stitch using a 1cm seam allowance, and finish the raw edges with overlocking or zig-zag, as desired.
If you use this pattern, then please do leave me a comment and let me know how it goes. I’m always thrilled to get feedback 🙂
Now for some more tops, hoodies…! Smug self back-patting for unselfish sewing commences right here, since neither of these are for me
Exhibit C; I made a grey hoodie for Sam, to fulfil his birthday request… this is the same self-drafted pattern I’ve used previously for hooodies for each of my boys; and the seventh and eighth time I’ve used the pattern. The best thing about these hoodies in my opinion is the rather nice combined collar/hood, and I’ve previously written a tutorial on how to make this collar, here. Sam wanted grey, and the addition of a bit of red was my idea. I just liked the idea of some little contrast and the red seemed cheerful and fun for winter, and a bit more interesting than if it had just been plain grey. The rather gorgeous warm, grey terry fleece is from Spotlight, and the red is cut from an old Tshirt from my refashioning bag.
aaaaand Exhibit D; a Rayman Hoodie for Sam to wear to ComicCon. The same pattern, and again to fulfil his specific request! I bought some warm purple Tshirt ribbing from Spotlight, simply because it was the perfect colour. The white circle and the red hoodie bit were both cut from two old Tshirts from my refashioning bag.
And that’s it!… well; for now, mwahahahahahahaaaaaaa. *she twirls her cape and dramatically sweeps off to the sewing lair, maniacal laughter radiating in her wake*
Details of all clothing in this post:
1)
Top; modified Nettie by Closet Case patterns
Skirt; Vogue 1247, yellow corduroy dyed caramel, details here
Tights; self drafted, details here and my tutorial for making your own tights pattern is here
Boots; made by me, details here
Cardigan; hand-knitted by me in Jo Sharp yarn, details here,
Cowl; my own design, mustard yarn, details and pattern here
2)
Top; modified Nettie by Closet Case patterns
Skirt; Jade by Paprika patterns, details here
3) and 4)
Hoodie; self drafted pattern, my tutorial for making the combined collar/hood is here
Love the colour ivory, off-white, winter white ….call it what you will! The top with the stand up collar looks elegant. I am sure my sister-in-law will be taking me to Spotlight in Brisbane when I get there next Friday…whoop whoop so excited to be going to the “land down under”.
Not sure if there is a Fabulous Fabrics in Brisbane, but if there is I am sure we will find it!!
Fabulous Fabrics is an independant shop in Perth. Unfortunately not in Brisbane. There are quite a few other lovely sewing shops there though, you won’t miss out!
thanks very much Rianna, and I hope you have a lovely time in Brisbane! xx 🙂
That collar is such an interesting detail — thanks for sharing! And the hoodies are great: those color details add just the right amount of interest. That’s difficult to get right with men’s clothes. I think the purple hoodie is wearable outside of ComicCon, too. And that’s a rare feat!
Now you have me thinking about white and off-white tops! In truth, I’ve begrudgingly admitted their practicality and, well, niceness, for a long time. But I’ve let myself be held back by plain old fear of stains. Um, there’s stains and there’s stains, right?… I think I could try to be an adult and not cover myself in coffee and sauce immediately after putting on a white top. But… and there’s no gentle way of putting it… I just worry about sweat stains. I’ve read somewhere that soaking the garment in either vinegar or vodka (can’t remember which, but not both!) helps get those out. Do you have tops for keeping white clothes decent-looking?
Okay, I hope I didn’t end up sounding like a total slob. I do manage to keep my clothes clean and decent-looking, overall. But white is just such a challenge…
Haha! I just love white tops full stop! and usually just toss most of them in the washing machine after a day’s wear, except for woollens and silks which get the gentle cycle. They usually come up pretty good and I haven’t noticed any problems with stubborn sweat stains. When something starts to go yellow with age, or generally gets baggy and saggy, or pills, or gets holes, then I’ll finally get rid of it; but that extends to all tops, not just white ones!
I love your (yet again NEW) white top with the cowl. Love that cowl! It’s so smooth – often cowls are these pathetic droppy things just hanging there on your chest but yours is perky and smooth. I also love that gray hoodie with the red highlights – beautiful! I would love to have one of those myself 🙂 Your family is so lucky to have you!
thanks so much Kathleen! I like a cowl neck too, but prefer one that sits a bit higher and not too saggy; I thought this one worked out quite well. I love sewing for my family, I think I’m the lucky one that they like wearing the things I make for them 🙂
Your ivory tops are just beautiful essential garments. They both look quite elegant. Thank you for sharing your collar pattern, you have got exactly the right shape. I am aware of the danger of stains concerning white tops, too, after someone tossed a glass of red wine at my husband’s white shirt at a dinner party. Since then, I always would bring a second shirt with us. So it is quite necessary to have a lot of white or ivory tops, isn’t it?
thank you SaSa, but how awful about your husband’s shirt; yes, red wine is pretty notorious, bad for any colour and not just white!
I have been doing the same. It is that time of the year I think!
I really like your self drafted collar and any white/cream tee is a usefull addition no matter how many one has.
You can’t go wrong with a luxurious basic. What gorgeous fabric!
You have been very productive Carolyn – and everything looks wonderful. I love what you have done with the Nettie pattern. I have that one now and also love it although I found the shoulders very narrow before adjustment. I will certainly try this wonderful collar adaptation.
thanks Kim! I have quite narrow shoulders and the Nettie shoulders are even a touch narrow on me too, I’ve ended up widening them by about 1cm on my own pattern too 🙂
You can’t beat basic garments like these cream tops – not boring, just a great canvas for showing of sewing and whatever else you are wearing. And this soft ivory is so flattering to your skin as well. Love the hoodies as well.
You read my mind! I was just thinking how great that top looked and that I have some lovely jersey that would look nice in a roll collar, and then you post it! I am so putting this in my weekend queue! Thank you! @LynneSews
thank you so much Lynne! I hope you find it useful, please do let me know how you go 🙂
thats fabulous. i tried the nettie and only made it as a long sleeve tee so far, and love the fit. that collar is gorgeous, thank you for the share – I am going to pin it to try it later in the season!
These sorts of basic tops usually form the backbone of our wardrobes and are worn over and over. You can never have too many and yours are particularly lovely. I absolutely love the funnel collar. The hoody looks fabulous too and the red trim has made it all the more fabulous.
I am loving Sam’s hoodies!!!!! I am inspired to sew for my adult son……….he would love one,
thank you Jane!
You make a basic top look so beautifully elegant! Especially the shorter version with the beautiful collar. And those hoodies! You are such a great mom! 🙂
Yoi can never have enough ivory tops! They fit you so well and the collar is very interesting, thank you for your effort and providing us with a pattern! Great job on those hoodies too!
I just decided that I need an ivory top! Yours are lovely, and that collar is definitely going to become part of something in my wardrobe – thank you! BTW the hoodies are also great – Archie just had me buy him a hoodie pattern and I hope mine turn out as beautiful as yours.
Your ivory tops make me realise I need to get working on my basics as they both look so good and the funnel collar is a lovely look. Thank you for the collar pattern.
Sam’s grey hoodie is very smart and the Rayman hoodie will be a hit.
Maybe it is too early on a Sat morning and the coffee hasn’t kicked in yet but I don’t get the instructions for the collar. Its very cute! I don’t think you can have too many ivory tops.
Thanks Vicki! re the collar instructions; I’m planning to re-write them and make them part of the pdf… but which part is it you don’t get?
I’m also missing the stand up collar pattern… Do you have it?
hello Lavonne, the red words “neckline:collar” are a clickable link that takes you to the pattern 🙂
I think I feel about stripes the way you feel about ivory… 🙂 Lovely tops, and thanks for that collar pattern, it gives a nice interest to a basic top!
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