Eating my Sophie words
When Tessuti released their Sophie Top and Sophie Dress last month I was a doubter. The overall shape of each garment was pleasing, but I wasn’t sure about the single lapel.
Now that my girls are back at school, I’m in the city one day a week working for my husband (it has already been suggested I should be paid in fabric!) so visits to Tessuti are now a little too easy. On one of these visits I tried on the shop sample of the sleeveless Sophie Top and it was time to eat my words. The shape of the top was perfect… skimming where skimming needs to happen, hitting at my preferred length and the hem was slightly higher at the front than the back. It was a pleasing silhouette.
Colette recently posted her version of the Sophie Dress that has the lapel folded up and secured by a single button. I went one step further and did away with the lapel all together. On the front piece I drew a line from the bottom of the v-neck to the hem and traced the side of the pattern without the lapel. I made the same adjustments to the front facing and then cut both pieces on the fold. Yes, it was that easy!
I sewed and traced the xs. A mid-sew try-on revealed it was a little snug on my bust. Time for a cheats FBA… I unpicked the side seams between the underarm and the notched and re-sewed using a 3/8″ seam allowance rather than the specified 1/2″. It worked a treat.
The back neckline is finished with bias binding (not visible) and the front is faced. This was a new neckline finishing combination for me and therefore added a bit of interest to this make.
I used some liberty scraps for the binding and facing and if you look very hard you might just be able to see a touch of liberty peeking out at the top of my shoulder in the photo below.
This is a great basic top that easily fits into my wardrobe and life.
Pattern: Tessuti’s Sophie Top
Size: XS
Fabric: Leftover linen from my Eva Dress & liberty scraps
Alterations: I removed the single front lapel. Between the underarm and the side seam notch I used a 3/8″ seam allowance (rather than the specified 1/2″) .
Accessories: Liberty Scarf, bracelet from Christine’s & shoes recently purchased online from Yoox.
Bwah ha ha! Of course you stealth some Liberty in there 😀 This is a lovely silhouette on you! I am digging this without the lapel!
You know me too well Amanda! I use liberty when ever and where ever I can.
What a simple, yet stylish top. I have never tried a Tessuti pattern but you are tempting me.
I’m a fan of Tessuti’s pattern range. The drafting is spot on and the styles often scream to be sewn in linen which is a favourite fabric of mine.
As always, I am inspired by the skill in your makes and your ability to match pattern, fabric, and personal style!
Too kind Sarah Jo 🙂
I prefer this top without the lapel. Good shape.
For me, it’s much more wearable this way.
Oh to be paid in fabric. This is a great little top. I wasn’t too fussed by the single lapel either, but I could tell it was a beautifully shaped dress. I love Colette’s fastened version. And your even simpler neckline is great too – a ‘why didn’t I think of that’ type of neckline. It works!
I can’t claim the idea as my own. Lara (Thornbery) suggested it first and then Lisa (Melbourne Tessuti) reminded me… It’s great when you can take a pattern and tweak it and make it your own. Well, except if I had you drafting skills and then I’d be starting from scratch!
I’ve been a one lapel, Sophie septic too, but with Lara’s, Colette’s and now yours, I might re-consider.
I totally understand. I went from a doubter to a ‘I need this pattern now’ in a manner of days. Seeing what others are making really does get those creative juices flowing doesn’t it?
Lovely Anna 😉
Thanks Nic 🙂
Sometimes you’ve just got to see outside the box huh? Nice way to make it your own. It’s starting to sound ilke the Tessuti sizing for tops is a bit on the large size. On a side note – what are the denim pants?? 🙂
It’s it amazing how a little tweak can totally change the look of a pattern. The pants are linen… a plain navy on the front and a pin striped back (Hello quirky pants!). They are a recent addition to the wardrobe (and investment piece!) from the French brand Pas De Calais – http://pasdecalais-int.com
I love your top, I’ve been ‘should I shouldn’t I’ over this pattern for a while because I didn’t like the flapping lapel, but yours is fab Anna so I’m now going to buy it 🙂
Love your pants also, I have just received the latest Ottobre magazine which has a lovely pattern for a similar pair of pants, so I might just try my own version with the back stripes!
Love your blog Anna – very inspiring
Thanks for your kind words Janette. I too received my Ottobre this week and I know just the pants you are talking about. I’m considering them too. Great minds and all that!
[…] I saw Lara’s dress, then Anna’s top. Lovely lines and […]
[…] let the fabric really shine. I am really drawn to the Tessutti Sophie. Check these out by Lara and Anna and Barbara – aren’t they fabulous? But again the sizing will be a problem. The largest […]