Saturday, February 07, 2009

An experimental, two-sided top

So there I was, staring at everything in my sewing room, wondering what to do. I decided I had to put away some stuff first and packed up some patterns into their envelopes. As I picked up a few pattern pieces (Butterick 4056), I realized they had been left out because I thought I would make a few more easy little tops.
2 tops in one
Back in the Fall, I had made three of these little pull-over tops in silk which are great for under any suit jacket. I remembered I had some small pieces of fabric left over from these shirts I made years before I started this blog. In those days, I was using a shirt pattern (McCall's 8053) that fitted very loosely, with long tails that you had to tuck in - way too loose for leaving outside of the pants or skirt. When I got this fabric that resembled silk (but was polyester and so washable with no ironing), I remember the store table had about a dozen beautiful jewel colours and all I got were two - a burnt orange and a pea green. When I went back after realizing how great the fabric was, it was all gone. Boo.
2 tops in one
So I went to the stash and found a piece of orange and one of green, not enough to make a top out of each. But I imagined that I could use the front part of the pattern and cut and green side and an orange side and have a "reversible" top!
2 tops in one
I found some green thread and some orange and loaded a bobbin with the green and put the orange on the top thread. It's such a simple top, there are only facings around the neck and they were easy.
2 tops in one
I hemmed the facings by machine, with the matching thread on the outside (but forgot to take a picture of the hemmed facings).
2 tops in one
Here's the top with the two sides stitched together, lying on the ironing board.
2 tops in one
And here it is, with the neck facings on. I am going to stitch the hems all by hand, as I did for the silk tops. I haven't tried the top on, under a jacket, but I believe it may work. I hung it on the hanger with the "front" hanging down so you can see the "back" but when I wear it, it should be balanced so the "back" hides beneath the jacket. It's an experiment! Of course, I'm in no position to wear a suit jacket these days but it'll be ready for when I am. Looking at the final picture, I am reminded of the Go Fug Yourself girls: "ooh, shiny!"

22 comments:

Meg said...

What a cool concept, it will be interesting how versatile it is in your wardrobe. The colours are gorgeous. I am also working on tops this weekend.

Stephanie Newman said...

Great Idea- how wonderful for travelling, too. I like the shiny-ness, a girl can never have too much bling in her life!

DanainDFW said...

Seems like Sue Haussman had a similar idea in a book she wrote. I'm with you - bet it works! Hope you've got more energy soon. Good luck.

Ann Made Studio said...

Great looking top. It looks very comfortable.
I love the fabric :)

Betsy said...

What a great idea! About 20 years ago I bought a sleeveless scoop-neck shell that was 4 different colors. The same front patten piece was cut 4 times out of different colors and put together so it would be reversible front to back and inside out. You would wear it with a jacket so the different color on the back wasn't seen when you were wearing it. Your shirt reminded me of how much I liked it. Maybe I'll try it too! Thanks for the inspiration!

KimT said...

love your work.

JuliaR said...

Thanks for all your comments! Sorry to be lazy and lump you all together but you know how it goes. Betsy, it seems to be that I do remember a top that had four different sides to it. It must have been advertised, maybe even on tv. I wasn't thinking of it (that I knew of) when I devised my top but I am pretty sure I remember it now!

Anonymous said...

Hello there Julia, just want to drop in and say hi! Spring is just around the corner and soon you'll be able to wear your beautiful top!

Heather

Claire S. said...

Hi Julia, just wanted to let you know I nominated you for an award at my blog. I see you're not on as often these days, but maybe check it out when you have some time.

Marty said...

Hey, girl, how are you feeling? My SIL is done with everything and Sunday we leave on our cruise. Pop over and see what I've made. I plan to post some new pics tomorrow.

Get better!!

Joanne said...

I just started to blog and came across your blog! I want to wish you good health and a fast and complete recovery. I am a costume designer in New York City. I look forward to your future posts. You have some really wonderful ideas and it is very obvious you are very passionate about sewing! I am also into yoga and the power of positive thinking (ever see "What the Bleep?") All the best - joanne
http://costumegirl-joanne.blogspot.com/

Julia said...

What a clever idea!! Let us know how it works. Love your name!!! Julia

Tracy said...

Julia,

That top is a flashback to 1978 for me. My mother used to make these tops out of leftover fabric she had from her customers. She also made them in tank top style and she wore them under her suits. They work great and she also made them where you could flip them inside out to another color.

I'm sure you'll love this top, she did.

Diana said...

This is a very,very nice top and you should get a lot of wear out of it.

JC said...

I, too am new to blogging (5 months) and stumbled upon yours through someone else's link. I enjoy your step by step sharing. I am a beginning sewer.

I nominated your blog for a blog award that someone just nominated mine for 2 days ago (just getting around to posting yesterday and finishing today).

More details on my blog:

http://wannsew.blogspot.com.

Thanks so much.

Diana said...

Julia, I left you a Sisterhood award on my blog. I love to follow you on your blogging adventures!

JuliaR said...

You guys are so great to keep coming back when I haven't posted anything new! And thanx for the awards - if I ever figure out how they work, I'll reciprocate. :) I had my LAST chemo yesterday so I'm still in recovery mode this coming week. But once I start feeling better, it is a relief to know I won't be getting zapped again in three weeks so I think I will get better faster! Then it's on to radiation but that will be a breeze, I know.

Thank you again for the support!

Rose said...

I'm not the first one but I did nominate you for the sisterhood award. I want to let you know that I am thinking about you and appreciate your blog posts.

Linda T said...

Sending good thoughts to you from Texas. Here's hoping you are having a good day!

Suzy said...

Just found your blog. Your sewing is amazing! The step by step pics are so helpful too. I am self taught and just venturing into making my own clothes, so your blog will be a great help to me.

(I too believe that positive thoughts will work wonders. You will feel 100% soon)

JuliaR said...

Rose, Linda and Suzy, thank so much! I think I have finally decided what to make next. I am one week post-last-chemo and am getting my energy back slowly. All I need now is the weather to cooperate and I'll be away to the races!

Suzy said...

Re your comment. Thanks for visiting. I think maybe I would have liked to be called Corinne if I hadn't been named Suzanne. I don't know why...... :-)

Judy sounds like a nice name for a model. I'm sure she won't mind if you change her from Rose to Judy.