Friday 27 January 2012

1950's Roobeedoo Top


So called because it was the kind and generous Roobeedoo who immediately sent me her copy of McCall 6245 to trace, after I lusted after it on this blog post.

I made a muslin from the pattern beforehand and it seemed to be a good fit, so I steamed straight in and started hacking away at my precious Liberty Rocks fabric.  This fabric was designed for Liberty by ex-Stone Roses guitarist John Squire, and I just love it.  I'm always drawn to mid-century geometric patterns and this has all the elements of a 1950's print, yet manages to maintain a modern look too.  It was also my first time working with Liberty Tana Lawn.  Oooh it's lovely!  Buttery and silky to the touch and it barely frays.  That didn't stop me overlocking every seam I could get my hands on, just because I could.

The pattern, which dates from the early 1950's, reminds me a little of the Colette Patterns Sencha…. but better in my opinion!  Unlike the Sencha, it has separate sleeves rather than short kimono ones, and the neckline is lower and prettier with a very flattering triangular keyhole.  Then there are the darts …..I think the darts really make the pattern and show just how cleverly constructed it is.  As Roobeedoo pointed out here, the placement of two sets of double contour darts at the waist give you curves, even if you don't have any to start with!  And if you do have curves (as I do), then the dart placement simply makes them trimmer and more shapely.  All very, very clever.
Making this top was an interesting exercise size-wise too.  In ready to wear clothes, I'm usually a UK size 12.  I made no adjustments to this pattern - it's a perfect fit - yet it's a size 18…..fascinating to see just how much smaller women were in the 1950's compared to now.  I used to get very hung up about sizing, but now that I've been sewing for a while, I don’t even think about it.  As somebody once commented on another blog (can't remember which), sewing makes the numbers on a tape measure become meaningless. Never a truer word was spoken….

Anyway, back to the pattern.  It was actually quite handy that McCall 6245 is so similar to the Colette Sencha pattern - when one instruction for the back buttoned section was beginning to fox me, I simply looked in the Sencha instructions instead and it all made perfect sense!  Testament to Sarai's pattern writing skills there I think.  Talking of buttons up the back, do you like mine?  I used real shell vintage ones that I've been saving for just the right make.

I like the fact that this top has both a vintage and a modern look.  You can wear it with a vintage skirt or with jeans and I think it works well with both.  
Thank you so much Roobeedoo, I've now got a top that I love, which I wouldn't have had the opportunity to make without you.  As a final nod to Roo, you may be interested to know that I'm wearing a Rockalily lipstick in Rockette Red, as recommended by the good lady herself.  
 The King looks on approvingly....
It's a great 1950's red, just the right shade for pale faced blondes (like me) and makes you feel instantly glamorous.  A girl can never have too many red lippies!  Have a lovely weekend everybody. x

53 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness...I was in love with this from the first picture and that was even before I saw the button back...*swoon*...Love the fabric choice too.

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  2. Wow!
    Those waist darts look divine, and it looks fabulous on you!
    Well done!

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  3. That Roo is a whole good'un, no doubt about it. I love this blouse on you, Jane, and what a neat and smart make! I can see this fitting into your gorgeous wardrobe so neatly.

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  4. Jane, you've done it again! another fab make... I *really* don't like the sencha top, and whilst this is very similar, it looks much better and much more wearable. I goes without saying that the fabric is amazing aswell!

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  5. gah! Jane, I think this is my most fav make of yours (and there are loads to choose from!). Perfect match of fabric to pattern; excellent fit; and it's a really flattering cut. it looks fab. x

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  6. So cute and the shape is so flattering. Nicely done ma'am.

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  7. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE....it's so beautiful, Jane!

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  8. I love this blouse so much Jane! You look like a 1950s stunner with a modern edge ;o) The neckline detail is adorable and the back buttons call to me! The fabric is gorgeous too...one of these days I'm going to treat myself to some Tana Lawn!

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    1. "1950's stunner with a modern edge" - the highlight of my year so far. Thanks Marie! x

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  9. You look great in that! My favorite of yours!

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  10. Nice big grins there! You're clearly totally in love with your blouse. That fabric is indeed gorgeous.

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    1. I do love it! Big grins are mostly due to the lippie, can't help but grin wearing it, (although there were a number of deleted shots with an uncanny resemblance to The Joker!) x

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  11. Love this blouse--the fabric was a great choice. :) I really like the dart placement--so interesting and unusual. Another beautiful sewing project! :)

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    1. Thank you! The darts are actually supposed to show on the outside (as per the pattern) but the fabric was so busy I put them n the inside and they still work. x

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  12. Gorgeous! And that fabric is spectacular!

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  13. Wow I love the top! You look fab in your outfit (and lippy!). Mother Rockette sews me the occaisonal dress so I may well show her your blog to inspire her!

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  14. I love the Sencha but I'm inclined to agree with you that this version is a bit better :) Very va-va-voom, indeed ;)

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  15. This turned out spectacularly! Your sewing skills are awesome :-D Thank so you so much for sharing your newest wardrobe addition.

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  16. I love this! The fabric is devine, the design is fabulous and the cut on you is to die for. I am GREEN with envy xxx

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  17. OMG so perfect. I'm pretty sure I need one of these blouses now!

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  18. Looks great! I have to find that pattern now. :)

    Btw I didn't realize anyone from the Stones designed fabric...

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  19. I saw you post in Sew Retro, I really loce the pattern! as you say it make curves to the ones don't have (as me). And the girl who sent it to you to capy it is the nicest girl in the world! =)

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  20. What a fabulous top! The shape & fit are perfect and I just love that fabric (definitely the best of the colourways). And, hehe, I have that exact same St Jude's cushion in those same colours (although I only have the one). I'm beginning to wonder we're not secret fabric twins separated at birth!

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    1. Haha that's hilarious! I actually bought a metre of the fabric and covered a piece of plasterboard to make a piece of 'art' I could hang on the wall. The cushions were made with the last remnants. Definitely fabric twins separated at birth, I've never seen the fabric anywhere else! x

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  21. It looks fantastic and interesting to read it's a Sencha improved.

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  22. Ooh, great match of fabric and pattern! You look lovely.

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  23. I was just looking at a pattern like this last night. It's totally cute on you. Love it!!!

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  24. I'm speechless. That shirt rocks!!!

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  25. Oh Jane - it is FAB on you! I am so glad it worked out :)
    Perfect lipstick too!

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    1. Thanks again and yes, the lippie rocks! x

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  26. What a fun top! I just love that vintage style...and it looks amazing on you!

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  27. Awesome - I love the fabric and the pattern! It looks so nice on you, and you're right it is both vintage and modern - perfect!

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  28. Oh the buttons in the back are darling!!

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  29. Darling blouse! It looks so great on you, Jane!

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  30. You look sensational in the blouse. I agree that the blouse has cleaner lines than the Sencha (none of the that bulky pleating in the front) and I love the squared off section of neckline.

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  31. This top is awesome. You're those darts make it snug in the waist in a way that the Sencha doesn't. Although i like the Sencha i've avoided it as I thought it would look like a sack on me.

    How cool of Roobedoo to send you this pattern. It's a total winner!!

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  32. Jane, it's a perfect match of fabric & pattern. So cool that it's Liberty Rocks fabric, & isn't it harking back to the 50s - love it. As for the top itself, so flattering & brilliant that you can draw upon the Sencha for clarity. That keyhole cutout is darn cute & so are you :-)

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  33. This blouse is awesome. I have a soft spot for simple 40's blouses, yours looks fantastic.

    You're so right about these types of tops working well with skirts or with jeans, and it's funny because when you wear something like this and "style" yourself modern, it just looks kind of cool and interesting rather than "oh my Dog, she raided her granny's closet."

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  34. Looks great, Jane! And Elvis seems to think so too...xx

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  35. It looks great, no wonder you lusted for a copy of the pattern and it's made up perfectly. Loving the fabric as well. I want one. Bethx

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  36. Fantastic. It is so flattering too ( not that you need it :) ) I may have a go at self drafting something similar!

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  37. Oh I love the buttons down the back...such a pretty top!

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  38. It is very like the Sencha top, isn't it? Only I do love the shape of the keyhole in front, and the separate sleeves too - very flattering and looks lovely and smart :)

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  39. Have you tried it with a pencil skirt? I think it would look awesome either tucked in with or without a wide belt over the skirt or left out with a skinny belt over the top..

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  40. This top is fantastic!!! It is stylish and the fit is very flattering. Can't wait to see what you make next!
    Jenny

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  41. Actually I would have said the opposite. Sewing does not make the numbers on a tape measure meaningless (otherwise why do you use them!?) Rather it is these numbers that matter, rather than the 'size' you are supposed to be. I mean, whether you make a size 12 or an 18 your measurements are still the same and that's what you use to make a garment. So you see, the numbers on the tape measure are very important. All important in fact!

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