Before I bitch & moan about the trials I suffered while making this top, why don't I just show you a pretty picture of the finished product:
Actually, on viewing the finished product I have a lot less to B&M about. Still, since I love you so much and want to be entirely truthful, I'll come clean. Firstly you might have noted the DEEEEP V. I don't remember seeing this on other reviewers or bloggers' tops. This is most definitely a size or so too big. Or I made a massive tracing error somewhere along the way. I fixed most of the bad, and so now it's very wearable.
My fabric was only 48" wide, which wasn't wide enough to cut the back on the fold, or the fronts for that matter. I had to finagle the fabric to fit all the pieces, and ended up making a seam in the CF & CB lower bodices. You can't even tell, so it turned out fine. I also skipped the darts in back (not on purpose. I just forgot!)
I didn't bind the neckline, but rather turned under & topstitched with my twin needle. My twin needle hemmed everything in fact!
I started out not loving this top, because I wanted a closer fit in the top bodice, but ended up really appreciating it for what it is. And I've already removed the little tab in front. I machine stitched it and it just looks sloppy (and crooked in this pic, although it wasn't that crooked.) I'm going to hand stitch it and see if I get better results.
No more pics of the top (it's COLD and RAINY here!) but I do have pics of another gift! It's my sister's birthday this weekend, so I used the Criss Cross Coasters pattern from JennyB at Allsorts for some crafty goodness:
They were a fast & easy gift, especially considering I used Charm Packs rather than cutting my own fabrics for the squares! This Charm Pack is "Pampered Pooch" and I want to say it's by Moda, but I've already tossed the label. More pics below!
Coasters tied up with a pretty bow:
The coaster backs:
Close up of the fronts:
And that's it for me today! I had a "Me" day today, but it's back to school tomorrow. Big sigh.
I think this looks GREAT on you! I love the lime green and black pants combo. What happened to your head? :)
ReplyDeleteI love the top! And the coasters!
ReplyDeleteHi Angie,
ReplyDeleteI made that top a couple weeks ago and I sewed the V up a few inches, and it still is pretty low cut. Yours looks very cute with the white under it. I love the lime green too! Mary
I love the top- it looks great! And I love the coasters, too. The red white and blue fabrics are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI know I said this already but hott! I love the low, low front with the white top underneath.
ReplyDeleteThe coasters are cute too. If my family did anything christmas-y I would make these for someone. Maybe I'll REALLY suprise someone and actually make them a gift.
Btw, I blame you. While I was writing that last comment to you my girls decided to dole out 75 of the 80 fabric softening sheets that I just bought. I kept hearing, "One for Coa (Cora), one for Bewa (Bella). Te heeee te he he."
ReplyDeleteGreat top and you have inspired me to make this next. Cute little coasters, too, a fun gift.
ReplyDeleteV. nice top! And those coasters--- too cute!
ReplyDeleteYour top turned out great. I'm happy it turned out too big before you fixed it. That means if I make it I wouldn't have to enlarge the largest size! I made those coasters a few years ago using Christmas fabrics. They are a big hit every year.
ReplyDeleteCute top; love the green color. I've been wanting to make those fabric coasters...that's more along the lines of my sewing skills! Ha. I clicked on your link and laughed when I saw the date, Nov. '06. That means I've been thinking about making them since Nov. '06. I need to get a move on it before she removes the post!
ReplyDeleteAnyway...your's are cute!
*Heidi*
You look gorgeous in this top and I love it paired with a cami underneath.
ReplyDeleteI've just finished this top myself and maybe I can help with the big cleavage issue. You're supposed to gather in the centre very tight (that large part must have only 7 cm afterward) and by gathering it tightly the two sides that form the cleavage underlap quite a bit and the cleavage becomes very decent. Hope that helps!
Love that top. Maybe I'll make something from my new BWOF subscription. It looks fabulous on you. What is the fabric? Those coasters - they are great arent't they? I've made a bunch, super easy and everyone loves them. Charm packs - gotta remember that. g
ReplyDeleteYou've been a busy little bee, my dear! Love the jumper, love the top (it's on my to-do list), and love the coasters. Great gift idea! I'll be googling those, along with the lace dove!
ReplyDeleteThe top looks great on you! I love the coasters. They are too cute!
ReplyDeleteLooks good! and the costers are so cute!
ReplyDeletewell I love the color and it looks great, so it was a success in my book
ReplyDeleteThat's a great color!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the coasters. I've been sitting on that tutorial forever... someday I'll get around to trying it!