Friday, March 6, 2009

Yet Another Simplicity 4539

I appreciate the comments on yesterday's dress. I totally understand the delicate intimations that this is perhaps not my best style. I should have said in the review that it is one of those things that is more trendy than attractive. And let's face it, a lot of what's trendy right now is not attractive--though the sack is comfortable to wear. Generally I look for styles that fit and flatter, but I'm totally not above jumping on bandwagons (I was in the marching band in high school, it's in my blood). It's one of those things I'll wear while it lasts and then look back on the pictures and cringe. Or probably not actually; I think at this point I'm old enough to just shrug.

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I first cut out Simplicity 4539 years and years ago (probably four years now) but it became a UFO because I didn't know the proper needle to sew on my terrible plastick-y knit. Meanwhile, the pattern went out of print. After discovering the stretch needle (versus ballpoint), I finished the first one and added it to my Paris wardrobe. Then I added sleeves and made one in black and yellow for fall/winter (and my colleagues compliment me every time I wear it).

The day I left for Paris for the third time last year, in November, the Super Shuttle was coming to pick me up around 1:00. I was all packed and restless so I decided to do a realllllly quick project. That's what TNTs, especially knit TNTs are for!

I loved the black and white houndstooth from The Carol Collection, and I was intrigued by the gray underside. I wonder... The normal construction of the cowl on this top is to sew right side of cowl to right side of top, fold cowl over to the inside, and tack in place. A little experimenting and I found that by sewing the wrong side of the cowl to the right side of the top, I could fold the cowl over outward instead of inward and show a little bit of the contrast underside.

CuffsI had hoped to cut the sleeves long and wide and end them in an elastic casing, for a lower sleeve puff. But I didn't have quite enough fabric. At this point, the Super Shuttle was on its way so I hand sewed a triple pinch pleat a few inches from the end and tacked an elastic wrist band in place at the pleats and the seam while waiting at the airport. I'm a big fan of saving hand-sewing for when you have to wait at the airport.

You can see that I overlocked the sleeve and hem to get a lettuce edge.

I was very happy with my chic new Parisian top, and I felt like I'd made all the use I could of my time. All photos are here and the pattern review is here.

25 comments:

Little Hunting Creek said...

Very creative use of time and also a cute top! I like what you did with the cowl. My daughter says ( she is standing behind me) to wear it with a red or yellow or bright blue skirt. Hmmm... a red jean skirt... I haven't seen any anywhere, but that would be cute

Jenny said...

I love this one on you. I really like what you did with the underside of the fabric. This looks realy comfy to wear.

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love this! I'm still on a quest to find my perfect cowl neck pattern, and I'm crushed that this is OOP. Your sleeve gathers are fantastic and suit the top perfectly, too.

- a piccolo marching band survivor!

Anonymous said...

I really like this one. You look like a cutie pie in it. I think you look fine in your BWOF 115 don't be so hard on yourself. I think it's cute and trendy.

CraftRage said...

Stretch needle? Not ballpoint?

I think you just saved my sewing machine from a trip out my craft room window! I spent last weekend screaming foul words at my sewing machine for refusing to sew through this stretchy slinky fabric, even though I changed the ballpoint stretch needle four times!

I REALLY like that particular incarnation of the cowl neck, with the contrasting underside!

Myra said...

Much more flattering! This one looks great with the jeans, too.

Meg said...

V. cute on you. Love the fabric.

Anonymous said...

I've been enjoying and reading your blog for a few months now - I love your style and the things you make! I've nominated you for an award...check out my site to pick it up!

Anonymous said...

Oops...left the wrong website! Here it is for your award!

http://hippiepunk.wordpress.com/

laura said...

Very cute and very flattering. I too finally found out that I needed a stretch needle and not a ballpoint. What a difference!

Adelaide B said...

If anyone in the world needed a red jean skirt, it would be you. (And it would look great with this top.) You would of course need red cowboy boots as well.

Birgitte said...

This looks great! And what you did with the collar adds so much- I also LOVE the way you look in this picture :))

Vicki said...

Now, that was using your time well! Cute top.

Sew-4-Fun said...

Nice top! The B&W accentuates your lovely hair. I like how you used the wrong side of the fabric too. Something unexpected that breaks up the hounds tooth. Great idea!

I can't believe you whipped this up while waiting for the shuttle.

HeathersSphere said...

This is such a dashing top! Lovely fabric!

gwensews said...

There's an inventive way to use fabric! Cute top!

Anonymous said...

Very cute top! I have another cowl neck as a TNT but I think I like the fit of this one better!

Lisette M said...

Great top! I love what you did with the sleeves.

HeathersSphere said...

Trena, you're so much fun! I nominate you for a "sisterhood award" at my blog SEWspicious Minds. I'm certain that you probably received that award already!

Anonymous said...

I love all the versions--especially the yellow and black one. Its neat to see the variations on a theme.

Jackie said...

Love the top!! Also, I nominated you for the sisterhood award. Check my blog out for what to do. You are so inspirational!

BeeBee said...

Oh, yeah. Now that's what I'm talking about. The color, the fit, the style and even the fabric all work great on you. Not to mention a way to pass the time waiting on the Super Shuttle.

Dana said...

I know you've already gotten this, but I also nominated you (a little late) for the Sisterhood Award. Keep on sewin' :}

rosanne said...

I love the contrast! It's very unusual and, IMO, makes the top :)

BeeBee said...

I nominated you for the sisterhood award. You post the badge on your blog, list your top ten, leave them notes on their blogs. Find the bluejean patch on my blog.