Queue jumper
Say hello to my queue jumping linen top…
Earlier this week, I had summer sewing plans floating around in my head and this top wasn’t even on my radar. Then Melbourne’s weather went from a summery 34 degrees at to a much cooler 20 degrees and by the end of the week, I just couldn’t bring myself to sew summer clothes.
The top is a rub off of a favourite RTW garment. One of those tops that I always felt good in. I outsourced the ‘rubbing off’ and I couldn’t be happier with the result.
Things that I love about my new top…
1. The Raglan Sleeves. Even though I haven’t sewn this style for myself before I’ve always been a fan of the raglan sleeve. It creates a looser fit and there is a lot more ease around the bust… which I need!
2. The sleeve detail.
My stripe and seam matching (high five!) makes it hard to see in the photo above, but if you take a second look (or study the photo in great detail) you might notice there are two tuck details which are approximately 4 inches long (2 inches either side of the sleeve seam). It’s a small detail, but it has a large impact!
3. The fabrics.
- Linen – I love, love, love sewing and wearing linen.
- Colour/pattern blocking – When it comes to colour or pattern blocking, I just don’t seem to be able to resist. This is one of the things that I love about creating my own clothes… I have the chance to add personal touches that make the clothes I sew ‘oh so me’!
- Remnants – I had fun selecting the fabrics for this make. They are all remnants from the stash. Yah for stash busting!
4. A quick and relatively simple sew. Both the chooks and I appreciate that this top had no sleeves to set in and no closurers. I did take the time to french seam the sleeves as I knew I would be rolling them up.
5. The hem. The hem of the top is slightly gathered before the binding is applied. This tames some of the tops volume and in my opinion creates a more flattering silhouette.
6. No fitting issues. This is one of the benefits of having a pattern drafted from a perfectly fitting garment.
Pattern: Based on a favourite RTW top
Size: na
Fabric: Linen remnants from Tessuti (stripes and orange) and Kelani Fabric Obsession (navy)
Alterations: na
Accessories: Scarf from Scarlett Jones
This just looks so stylish and cozy- I love your subtle mix of stripe and color- you got skills, Baby!
Kind words. This project seemed just right from start to finish.
Fabulous! Your scarf is the perfect accent too–you have great style!
Thanks Sarah Jo. I loved making this top and I expect I’m going to enjoy wearing it just as much.
Oh, I love it Anna! Those sleeve tucks are brilliant, too. Might have to steal that idea sometime 🙂
I want to put sleeve tucks on all my makes! It’s such a fun visual detail.
Style deluxe! great mix of colours and angles!
Shucks Anne. Dare I say, anything to avoid too much stripe matching…
Fantastic! I love the colour combos, especially the pop of orange/rust in the binding. This is so very “you”
Thanks Jillian. It is so very me. I do feel at the moment that I’m happily in my style groove. Fingers crossed it continues.
Once again a fabulous make, you consistently nail it with colour and pattern matching. This shape is fantastic too, I love the slightly blousey hem.
Thanks Susan you’re very good for my ego!
What a fantastic idea to lightly gather the bottom. It makes a beautiful silhouette. Love!
Thanks Kirsty.
I just wanted to ask about getting a pattern made from an existing garment, I have not worked out how to do this, You outsourced this in Melbourne?
I did Diane. There is a fabric/clothes shop in Malvern East called (recently renamed) Collections On Central Park (http://www.patchworkoncentralpark.com.au). You must provide the item, purchase fabric from the store (they have lots of liberty & Japanese fabrics) & they’ll have someone copy & sew the item for you. If you wants a copy of the pattern you pay a small fee (I paid $25). My top took about 4 weeks.
Lovely top, beautifully accessorised with your scarf. It’s been great to see how your style has developed. All your sewing lately has been a true reflection of your style and you look so relaxed and confident.
Thanks Jean Maree. That’s exactly how I feel 😀
A very lovely top- the fabric, the colours, the binding, the tucks in the sleeve, but especially the raglan sleeve. I am a fan of the raglan sleeve.
I vote for more raglan sleeves!
You are winning at summer sewing here, Anna! Also at chicken befriending. So basically winning at life! 😀
And we all like to win…
What a beautiful top! Love the style and the fabrics you chose. I love sewing up rub offs but unlike you I’m always surprised when they work out! To whom did you outsource your rubbing off? Also… Melbourne weather is making it VERY difficult to know what to sew at the moment, sheesh!!
See my reply to Diane above. It’s got all the outsourcing details. The weather is rather crazy. I think I’ll wear my new top tomorrow!
Cool! I didn’t know they had this service- not too pricey & close to home, too 🙂 I’ll put this in the memory bank
Lovely fabric, looks so comfy! Very jealous of your lovely weather.
I love love love little details like pleats at the elbow! Very cool 🙂
It’s all about those little details 😀
[…] said it before, and I’ll say it again, I do love a raglan sleeve. They create a looser fit, particularly […]
[…] For this version I raided my scraps tub for some linen. I found some plain orange (front bodice, back bodice & back) that matched the Lithuanian orange from version 1 (front) and then I settled on some statement sleeves. From here on in, the blue stripey linen will be known as ‘sleeve fabric’ as that’s all I’ve ever used it for (see it’s first outing here). […]
Gosh! Love this.