Saturday, March 8, 2014

Coral shirring!

Over at Pattern Review there is a new contest, "New to Me Pattern Company" and thinking about it, I realised that I have a couple of Christine Jonson's patterns and thought I would make up the Shirred Top in a gorgeous coral knit that my DS gifted to me a couple of Christmas's ago.

The reviews of the pattern over at Pattern Review say it is a snug fit and seeing I was inbetween the XS and SM sizes I decided to play it safe and cut out a size SM and did the following pattern adjustments:
  • shortened the lower bodice length by 4cm
  • shortened the short sleeve by 2cm
This pattern is very fabric hungry as the top pieces are on the fold and you cut 2 of them each, so I changed the top back and top front pattern pieces to a single layer, as my knit is 150cm wide and this worked out a lot better.


I basted the front and back together using the 1.5cm seam allowance and tried it on however it was a bit snug so I stitched it permanently together with 6mm seam allowances essentially meaning it is a size MD.

I used my Coverstitch to stitch the neckline edges.


The rest of the pattern went together fairly quickly until I came to the sleeves which gave me a bit of grief, so this is when I did a Full Arm adjustment (Fit for Real People, page 169) of 1.5cm


and cut out another set of sleeves! They do look much better.


My top is still very snug and looks like I need to do a small FBA as well as a gasposis for the back neckline.


I really like how the ruching looks on the side seams, which surprisingly doesn't look like it adds any bulk.


This is quite a comfortable top to wear.

Still making up my mind if it will be another top for my SWAP, however at this stage I'm not 100% certain where it will fit in.

******************
2014 Stash Out: 5.2 m
2014 Stash In: 31.75 m

12 comments:

Sue said...

It looks a lovely pattern and I love all the detail. I am sure this one will still get worn even if the fit isn't perfect.

Dilliander said...

Lovely Sharon, such a pretty colour and style. The ruching is especially nice and looks great paired with the skirt.

sandra said...

Love the coral colour, and I agree that the ruching is very flattering, great top!

RhondaBuss said...

I have a feeling that the top looks like it fits much better in person than it does in a picture. I did a top in a knit that had a lot of drape and the camera caught all the various bits of shading and seemed to emphasize them. Not at all what you see in the mirror, or what others see. I think the top looks great and the color is lovely on you..

Sharon Sews said...

It's a very flattering top on you. I agree with what Rhonda just stated - sometimes things don't photograph the same way we (and others) actually see. That color is fabulous!

BeaJay said...

Great top Sharon. Love the fabric and colour. Great use of the coverstitch on the neckline. Missed you yesterday.

Sarah Liz said...

I was thinking much the same as Rhonda - the ruching will certainly catch the light and show in a picture. It does look nice on, and I'm sure will be very wearable, if not for your lovely SWAP wardrobe, certainly as tier 2 of the wardrobe plan :)

Diana said...

Lovely top and the colour is gorgeous!

ista said...

It's turned out so well :) I wonder if it's the self lining that stops it being bulky (or not). Love the colour on you

Unknown said...

Great trans-seasonal top - and love the colour!

Gail said...

I've been waiting to see how this one came out. It looks great and the colour is beautiful on you.

Kristy Chan said...

I am so envious of your cover stitch machine, the neckline is so neat. Your top looks gorgeous, maybe exactly what I need for my recent brown skirt?