Monday 11 July 2011

Interesting knit top challenge - bandage t shirt.

RuthieK's original post concerning her knit top challenge was to make one or more knit tops inspired by some garments from CCfashion

I quite fancied this one.

I used the Jalie sweetheart top, 2794 as the base of the t shirt. I chose this because not only have I made it many times, but the upper front bodice has an overlay section that I thought would make it easy to attach the gathered strips to the front just above the bust.

SDC10174

That part was pretty easy. I gathered the top of two rectangular pieces of the thin merino knit, (The Fabric Store, Sydney), finished the long edges with a coverstitch, and lay the strips over the lower bodice, which I had pinned to my dress form. I started the gathered strips 2cm above the Jalie neckline. I then wove the pieces.
However, I did not like the appearance of the t shirt with the woven strips sewn into and added empire seam. It was mysteriously flattening to the bust and added unusual lumps to the belly, not my best look.
I started again, as fortunately I had not chopped off the ends of the gathered strips yet and could unpick my machine basting. Instead I crossed the gathered strips under the bust, and sewed them into the side seams.

SDC10169

This was much better, but unfortunately, there is no back interest to the shirt, as I did not have enough fabric left over to extend the strips to the back at the waistline, which was my orginal intention. The side seams of the shirt are pulled forward a little by the gathers, which I think would be prevented if the lower strips met at centre back instead. I also forgot to make a square shoulder adjustment, so the top is a bit high at the back neck, but this is not necessarily a bad thing for a winter top.
Orginally, I tacked the woven strips to each other where they cross, as suggested in Pattern magic 1 for the woven top in this book, but I found that this was not successful in the knit fabric, preventing the strips from moving freely with trunk movement. I unpicked these, and the strips appear to stay in place very well after wearing the top around the house for a few hours.

I am quite happy with this top as a first attempt. My teenage fashion panel admire it, and as I have used wool, layered at the front, and cut double at the back, this will be a lovely warm top for going to casual dress events in the evening - we have a 40th birthday BBQ to attend in a country hall next week, it is sure to be very cold!

27 comments:

Gail said...

Thanks for making this top for me. It will go perfectly with my new skirt! Love it!

shams said...

This looks great, Karen! Very flattering and a close interpretation!

K.Line said...

Wow, that's terrific. Looks so complicated.

Tanit-Isis said...

Oh, I love it! WAY more than the inspiration, too ;). Hmm, I might have to be "inspired" by you come our winter...

Debbie Cook said...

I like your version much better! What a stroke of genius to use that Jalie pattern as a base.

Carolyn said...

Looks fantastic! It reminds me of the bandage skirts that were around recently, a look I always wanted to try out but (as usual) never got around to... A really nice way to get more fabric for warmth, but in a super stylish way!

Gay McDonell said...

Great work - I love it!

Marie said...

Love it. You have made a terrific knock off.

Stevie said...

I have a green top that is just like this! I'd love to make myself a few others. Tutorial please? x

SewRuthie said...

Oh that looks absolutely fantastic!

Summer Flies said...

I like this look and am also "more gifted" in the front and this looks really flattering on you. I think it's one of your best! It has been cold lately hasn't it! (colder even where you are I'll bet)

Uta said...

Fabulous! I love the color, too.

Shannon said...

Wow! What a great knockoff! I love the colour of the fabric - it's very flattering on you.

Audrey said...

Ruthie finds the best knit tops doesn't she? I love your version of the woven front top. It is really different and unique and a great color.

Bernice said...

This is fabulous. Such an interesting and flattering top. I also like your version much better than the original.

Carol said...

You are way too clever! I love it.

katherine h said...

You are really stepping up with these knit top variations. It does look warm. Will it take long to dry? I have never sewn, or worn merino.

Joy said...

This is fabulous! It reminds of something in one of the Pattern Magic books, which was done in a woven. I imagine you'll never be able to tolerate a plain t-shirt again.

Anonymous said...

As others have said, super colour, super look, and you'll now be sending the pattern along, yes? :-) Also, seems like it will be very warm and snuggly.

Great job, you still have mad skillz.

The Slapdash Sewist said...

Awesome! What a great way to add interest. I'm going to have to keep that in mind when it gets chilly....

sewing spots said...

You are so creative with knit tops! Love it!

gwensews said...

You did a terrific job of designing. Nice work.

velosews said...

That's a good idea using the sweetheart jalie top. Your version is really lovely. Glad the teenage panel approve. Phew.
I also understand what you mean about our 'complimentary'styles. Did you see the Fabric store is about to have their 40% off sale?

Janine said...

Simply stunning- both
the colour and your design and it looks fantastic . It would cost heaps to buy ( well it probably did anyway since it is merino )
Well done.

L said...

Fabulous!

MushyWear said...

Oh wow, what a cool t-shirt!

Diana said...

Absolutely love this. You are an inspiration!