This Kwik-Sew knit top I made recently is one of the few things that actually looks better on me than it does 0n my daughter, who is modeling it here.
Would you believe the inspiration for this top was a photo of Rachel Bilson wearing a Chanel dress on the cover of DD's Seventeen magazine? The photo only showed the neckline and shoulders but I could tell it was knit and had striped contrasting neckband and sleeves. Kwik-Sew 2874 looked like it would do the trick, and many PR members have liked this pattern.I made View C, but constructed the bodice as one piece rather than three as shown here. My fabric is incredibly soft pink cotton lycra and contrasting stripe knit, both from Spandex House. I had planned to make the sleeves long, with the flared part out of the contrasting striped fabric, but when I tried it on I could tell that was too much stripes and threw the whole thing out of balance. So I cut the striped part of the sleeve off to the elbow, played around with different cuff options, and then decided what the hell and left it unhemmed. Lots of RTW shows unhemmed jersey, right? (I'm trying to convince myself I wasn't just being lazy.)
This shirt represents the first time I attached a knit neckline binding since I took a Stretch & Sew class in 1974 as a teen. For a refresher course I relied on Sarah Veblen's video tip on the Threads site, and it was a big help. My neckband lies perfectly flat on me.
I love this new top! It is such a contrast to all the boring Gap Ts I typically live in during the summer. My take on this pattern: Another one of those Kwik-Sew gems hidden behind a dated pattern illustration. With the right mix of knit fabrics you can make a really fashionable top that doesn't look like just another t-shirt.
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Did you see that cute maxi dress Renee Cidell made for a Fourth of July party? The last time I wore a maxi dress I was a sophomore in high school and I think it looked something like this. Egads! (Image from vintage pattern site Scissorhappy.)*********************
Day Two of our Fourth of July long weekend and the weather is again unbelievably dreary here in the metro NYC area. Rain rain go away. No beach for us today. Good thing I have several sewing projects to keep me busy....
12 comments:
Lindsay, this is really cute. I might have to buy this Kwik-Sew pattern, which has been on my list of must-buys since I was prematurely born. This pattern would also be a good way to use up striped fabric!
That is adorable! I've been saving some of my printed knit scraps lately (I ordinarily don't save scraps) - now I know what to do with them! It's been awhile since I made that pattern, time to pull it out again.
I like the new top too! I am constantly amazed at the wonderful garments people make from Kwik Sew patterns since I've had less than stellar results with them!
...and isn't the weather just a drag...I'm glad I planned a lot of sewing this weekend too!
How did you find the pattern for my prom dress? I swear I used that to copy a Gunne Sax! Too funny!
That top is darling. Lately I have seen so many patterns that I have blown off being made into cute tops. This is one.
Just had to rub in the fact that we have had 4 days of GLORIOUS 78º weather, crystal blue skies, slight breeze. A real countrytime lemonade day!
Wonderful, and not the least bit Gap-ish. You made some wonderful choices by alterng the sleeve length, cutting the whole bodice in one, and the striped trim. Very balanced, something I'm obsessing about at the moment. Great job, Lindsay.
PS. Like Bunny, nothing but blue skies ;-)
Thanks for the shoutout :) I remember Marji telling me that maxi dresses were once worn ALL the time, not just for parties.
I looove your top. Great use of the contrast. Spandex House is one of my fav places in NYC.
I love the effect of the striped trims. I'll make you feel better after those mentions of sunny skies - we had snow, sleet and hail yesterday. :)
Your shirt looks great! I love the striped bands - they give it a completely fresh look.
I just love those striped bands! It really makes the top a standout.
Great bias bands! What a great top, at a much more reasonable price.
great top. I too have had less than stellar results with KwikSew patterns, so it's nice to see that you've gotten such a great T from one.
LOL, yup, we are of an age, when maxi-dresses were poolside as well as at-home as well as prom-worthy. I'm actually thinking about making one for myself.
Does the "if you've worn it the first time around you should skip it" rule apply?
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