Dear all, the sewjo is back! I just had the most productive weekend of this year and I love it! I’m so happy to be back in sew-love! And now I have the pleasure of introducing you to the newest addition to my 2015 wardrobe: the sleeveless silky blue top.
You may remember the obi skirt that only happened after the second attempt, read the whole story here. So the question was what to do with the failed first attempt, a circle skirt that was too full and too short. But I hate wasting fabric and really didn’t want to throw anything away. So I set it aside to sew another day, hoping for some inspiration to turn it into something else more wearable.
So during this perfect storm of a sewjo weekend, I got the sewing room back on Friday night and inspiration struck: let’s make a top.
I used the two halves of the skirt back as back and front of the top, scooping up the armholes. I made sure I had 1.5 cm that could overlap between the back and the front so I can attach the collar. I then overlocked the armholes and turned and topstitched to finish them.
I took out about 10 cm each side from the front and the back, as there was a bit too much fabric for a top. Then I cut 12cm stripes off the skirt front and added them to the bottom of the main pieces to lengthen them so that I won’t be flashing my belly button.
That was the easy part, but I wasn’t sure what to do about the collar. So I did a bit of Pinteresting and decided to make a sort of rolled Chelsea collar. I used the remaining pieces of the front skirt and drafted a collar. I measured between centre back and centre front and drew the outline on a piece of paper, then shaped the corners.
Then cut out two pieces on the fold and interfaced them with lightweight fusible interfacing and prepared the collar the usual way. I then attached it right side to right side and used bias binding for facing, understitched. I have to show you the detail here, as I really think this is the most beautiful binding I’ve ever sewn, I am super proud of having the patience to sew slowly and get it right first time.
Plus I absolutely love the back collar, with the two flipping edges.
I then overlocked and turned the hem and in comes a nice new going out top.
The details:
Pattern: self-drafted (or rather, free-hand)
Fabric: Upholstery poly taffeta from an Abakhan bargain bundle I got a few years ago (from the stash)
Notions: none
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Feeling very smug that I managed to salvage this one and not waste the fabric and crossed a UFO off the list, plus a very nice addition to my going-out wardrobe, which had quite a few gaps.
How about you guys, how are you doing in the UFO department? Anything that you ended up rescuing then became a staple?
Happy sewing!
Looks beautiful Alex xx
Author
Thank you! I’m really pleased with it. ☺️
Great top, that collar looks wonderful on you! I can see it dressed up with velvet cigarette pants.
Author
Thank you! Trousers are definitely on my to do list, though will probably start with something less demanding than velvet 😀.
It looks great, what a fab colour. I love repurposing things to give them new life!
Looks amazing and great on you, well done! 🙂
Author
Thanks Coralie! So satisfying to finally complete it. So much better than buying something new!!
Love it! Completely unique and contemporary.
Author
Thanks Lucie! Not bad for curtain fabric 😉!
So cute! I love the fabric!
Author
Thanks Britney! It was some bargain bundle fabric, it really did scrub up nicely 😁
It really did! Those are the best kind of finds. I love how the fabric is fancy but you can totally dress it down too!
Perfect blue for you. Looks great. I imagine you’ll fetch a fair few compliments in that 🙂
Author
Thank you! So far only from my fiancé, as I we’ve only worn it to a dinner date with just the two of us ☺️.