Friday 28 July 2017

More sleeveless shell tops

My Sleeveless Shell Top has been such a hit this summer I promptly made myself two more. Taking on board my own advice from my first version, I made a couple of tiny adjustments to the pattern: I lengthened the front curve to match the back and eliminated the centre back seam. I also used this method to attach the all-in-one facings by machine and it worked like a dream. Now that I know what I'm doing (it only took me five years to work it out...) it actually takes me less time to attach an all-in-one facing than it takes to attach bias tape and you get a lovely clean finish. I'm a complete convert!


First up is a Liberty lawn version in my all time favourite print - Carline (only available in pink at the moment). I had just one metre of fabric, which was lucky as that's all you need for this pattern! I made it during a sewing afternoon over at Tilly's and am amazed I managed to sew it without any mistakes as I was more than a little distracted by the sewing chat. It's such a lovely, colourful top and looks great with all kinds of solid coloured garments: jeans, skinny trousers, red skirts, the lot! 


The second version is made from Swiss Dot cotton*, this time in turquoise.


I used the same kind of fabric for my Malia top and it's a really nice weight for a sleeveless top - it has a lovely drape. I only had a 60cm remnant, (snapped up for £2 from Fabric Godmother last year) and it was just enough to cut out the front and back pieces. I love it when I get to use up smaller pieces from my stash like this! I cut the facing pieces from white silk cotton.


This top will probably get even more wear than the Carline one as it's a solid colour so can be paired up with virtually anything.


Three is probably my limit for this pattern this summer - I dread to think how many I'm going to make next year though! I love this pattern. x


*Every single time I type this fabric name I think of Dot Cotton from Eastenders...


13 comments:

  1. I love the floral print fabric...and the simplicity of the blouse.

    www.stitchadress.blogspot.com

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  2. So glad you're back blogging. Missed you! Love a shall top so versatile and a quick make. Always feel chuffed when I have fabric left over and there's just enough for one!

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  3. I love the swiss dot fabric; the turquoise color looks good on you. I haven't chose a favorite tank yet. I am a new sewer and I am having a hard time with the all in one facing. The threads video will help. Thanks for that. Happy Sewing

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  4. They look lovely and you look great in them. Well done with the sewing and pattern fine tuning. Thank you for sharing

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  5. Lovely tops! Thank you so much for the youtube link. I've been using the "burrito" (or as I like to call it, the "Arctic roll") method when making knickers with enclosed seams but never even thought to translate it to a "double Arctic roll" for a facing with no back seam. Hooray! Susan x

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  6. I make that front back adjustment when I make them too! Great tops Jane. Jo x

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  7. these are lovely. I have that book- will dig it out.

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  8. I have just made my first top from this pattern after reading your post. It really is a great summer top so thank you for sharing. It came together so easily and I am sure that I will make more versions in the future.

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  9. Both are gorgeous! The simplicity is perfect with the fabrics.

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  10. Beautiful tops Jane! I really love that Liberty carline. I managed to find some of the pink earlier this year and made a dress and a shell top with it. I bound the edges of the top with bias but that was before I read your interesting post about the all in one facing! Glad to know it worked well as I can't wait to try that out in the hope of getting a nice neat finish.

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  11. I love shell tops - so versatile and they go with practically anything! The rose printed one is adorable!

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  12. I love the Carline one -- I have some scraps and maybe have enough for a top just like that. The last time I looked, AliceCaroline had the Carline in all four colorways: pink, hot pink, red, and blue!!!!

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  13. Hi Jane! I love this top on you. I made the same one after reading this. Mine is the high low version and I see why you wanted to make the front curve match the back. When you made that adjustment, did the hem rise at the side seam to the same point it is in the original pattern?

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