I’m pleased to report that there was just enough pinky/orange linen leftover from my Alice Top for another Ruby.  I’m giving Tessuti’s patterns quite a work-out at the moment!

There is a sad story about my first Ruby Top.  After the first wear, which was a day in the city carrying a heavy bag on my shoulder, I discovered that the fabric was coming away from the back opening near the pivot point. I top-stitched the opening, to ensure a second wear, but I knew that the top was beyond repair.  Sob, sob, sob…

I think there were several reasons why the first top met it’s demise and I tried to remedy them with my second version:

• I used slightly heavier interfacing
• I shortened my stitch length, particularly near the base of the opening
• I didn’t clip quite as close to the stitch line
• I top-stiched the opening

I’m please to report that after several washes and wears, my linen version is just like the day I made it (phew!).  In other good news…  George brought the last of the balloon fabric off the bolt at Darn Cheap Fabrics in Glen Huntley and gifted me enough to re-make my first Ruby.  Hip hip hooray!

And yes, I’ve got a thing for liberty binding at the moment.

I’ve decided that I’m much neater when I apply binding to the wrong side of the fabric, turn it to the right side and top-stitch it down.  My stitching in the ditch (like on my first version) leaves a lot to be desired, so from here on in, I’m avoiding it at all costs!

And it you like a good twirl, this top might just be for you…

Pattern:  Tessuti’s Ruby Top/Dress
Size: 12
Fabric:  Linen (now sold out) from Tessuti & Liberty from deep in the stash
Alterations:  I took each side seam in by 3/8″ and removed 1″ from the length of the top at the hem.  My hem is also a little deeper than drafted making the top a further 1/2″ shorter.
Accessories:  Shoes purchased online.