Pretty
Several months ago when I spied a 80cm silk remnant in Tessuti I instantly thought… everyone needs a little ‘pretty’ in their life.
This is my pretty! A simple dolman sleeve woven silk top.
Needless to say, I brought that ‘pretty’ remnant thinking I’d have just enough to make a sleeveless top, but then I had other ideas. Luckily, I was able to pick up another 75cm of the same fabric from The Cloth Shop so I could make my new year vision for McCalls 6566 a reality.
The floral pattern was a little more symmetrical than I anticipated, but I worked hard on my pattern placement so that you could tell. And bonus, no large blooms or butterflies landed in the wrong places!
My first version of this pattern was a little long and now happily lives with my sister-in-law. For iteration two, I shortened the pattern by 1 1/4″ (3cm) and it’s the perfect length… which means I can lift my hands above my head without flashing my tummy!
I’m not going to lie to you… I threw a little foot stamping tantrum when hemming this fabric. All my usual tricks just didn’t work. It’s okay from the outside (and that is all matters right?) but the inside is closer to a red hot mess.
I’ve already forgotten the pain of hemming and I’m going to wear my pretty top with pride. Pretty things shouldn’t hide away in the wardrobe, they need to see the light of day!
Pattern: McCalls 6566 (View B)
Size: Small (size 8-10)
Fabric: Silk remnant from Tessuti and and extra 75cm from The Cloth Shop
Alterations: 3/8″ (1cm) forward shoulder adjustment. Shortened by 1 1/4″ (3cm). I didn’t bother with the pocket.
Accessories: Beads from Scarlet Jones and shoes purchased online from Yoox several years ago.
Photo Location: My garden
This looks very nice. Too bad the hem was such a bear. Do you ever make hem facings? It’s a pain but less painful than a very uncooperative narrow hem.
A hem facing or bias binding will be my weapons of choice next time I’m hemming silk.
So pretty indeed! Kinda wish I’d seen you stamp your foot! 😉
I’ll give you an action reply next time I see you.
How lucky that you could get more of this fabric from a different shop! The top looks great, and I bet it feels oh so nice on! And in this case I won’t bother about the inside of the hem 😉
Silk is always so swoon worthy… unless your hemming it!
Ah silk …. swoon!
So pretty! I have several pieces of silk just waiting for me to get up enough courage to sew it! The hemming is exactly what scares me!
I think I might use bias binding when hemming silk next time. Drafting a facing is the other option.
Oh, I love love LOVE this fabric – just gorgeous! This pattern puts it on display beautifully, too. But yeah, hemming silk can sometimes be uber difficult!
The fabric is just divine. I think I might try bias binding or a hand rolled hem next time.