A cold rayon Lou Box Top October 5, 2019 Sew

When you have some beautiful cold rayon a simple style to allow the fabric to shine is required. Sew DIY’s Lou Box Top was the perfect pattern for the vintage yardage I had available.

What is cold rayon you ask? A Fashionable Stitch writes:

“When rayon first came out, it was considered artificial silk. It was a great alternative to silk because of the price break but also because it held some of the same properties as silk. Rayon was invented around the turn of the century in the 1880s and it is a process of regenerating cellulose. The cloth or products from regenerating cellulose are different today than they were then, which makes sense. As things evolve with time, more and more methods and ways of doing things become more efficient or better or produce different results. Rayon is made from wood pulp and as such is considered a semi-synthetic. Its properties are more akin to a natural fiber. Rayon is breathable, takes pressing quite well, is absorbent and can hold in body heat.

Somewhere along the line, cold rayon started being made. I’m unsure as to why it’s called cold rayon, whether it has something to do with the initial cold feeling rayon has or if it’s part of the process of making it. I mention 1940s in today’s post name because that is when this stuff became really popular, but as far as I can tell, it was produced before that time and started gaining popularity during the 1920s.”

I purchased the fabric several years ago from a vintage fabric seller on a road trip to Geelong with some sewing buddies. The piece was only 90cm wide, so at the time of purchasing I knew I would sew a simple top from it… I just didn’t think it would take me so long!

The pattern calls for a double fold narrow 1/4″ (6cm) hem, and I used Vliesofix Bondaweb Glue Backed Tape in the 6mm thickness (T6) for quick and accurate results. I stock this tape in my online shop.

As it was my second time (see first here) sewing this pattern, I made a few more tweaks. My alterations include:

Adding 1″ (2.5cm to the length)
Performing a 3/8″ (1cm) forward shoulder adjustment
Drafting the neckline to be halfway between the crewneck and the scoop
Eliminating the back seam as the top no longer required a closure
Leaving off the pocket

And the scarf… I hand stitched a rolled hem on a piece of silk twill several years ago. I still love the colour and the geometric print. The scarf picks up the little bit of yellow in the foral print and a pattern clash always makes my heart sing!

Pattern: Sew DIY’s Lou Box Top – This is the first release of the pattern as I already had it printed.
Size: XS/S
Fabric: Vintage cold rayon
Alterations: 3/8″ (1 cm) forward shoulder adjustment, 1″ (2.5cm) added to the length, self drafted neckline (halfway between the crewneck and the scoop), eliminated the back seam and left off the pocket
Outfit: Me-made Scarf, jeans from Witchery and boots from Gorman.
Location: Eastern Suburbs, Melbourne

A cold rayon Lou Box Top October 5, 2019 Sew

A luxurious Lou March 14, 2019 Sew

A skirt! January 14, 2017 Sew

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