The pattern: This hideously ugly 1999 Simplicity pattern bought on Etsy. I used top B as a starting point, adding a center vertical seam and raising the neckline area.
My interpretation:
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| Darn black for being such a hard color to photograph. |
Fabric: One large black leather skin from Leather, Suede, Skins on W. 35th Street here in NYC ($40). One yard of black wool doubleknit from Mood Fabrics ($20). One yard of black poly lycra lining, also from Mood ($5). Total cost to make this top, excluding pattern, and the 7" zipper was from my stash: $65.
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| Not only did constructing the back out of wool doubleknit save me money, it also gives this top a slim, figure-hugging fit. I lined the top half of the bodice with a poly lycra lining fabric. |
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| This isn't my favorite cardigan, but it gives you an idea of the layering possibilities. This top also looks great worn over a shirt or turtleneck. |
Bottom line: I think this is my most favorite piece I've ever sewn. I feel stylish and sexy in it. "Mom, you look hot," said my 16-year-old son approvingly when I showed it off to him and DH, who also heartily approves. I love that it goes with so many things I own. I actually want it to get a little colder here so I can wear it!
Leather is easy to sew, dear readers! I put off sewing leather for years because I thought I needed a lot of new tools and that my machine couldn't handle it. Not so at all. I have a teflon foot now but leather feeds well with my regular foot, and I use regular sewing machine needles too. Leather for apparel (generally lambskin) behaves so much nicer than many fabrics—it doesn't curl or fray or stretch. If you only use one skin for a front of a bodice or for accent pieces, you can keep your production costs within reason. Just make a muslin first and get it to the point where it's perfect, because the holes your sewing machine needle makes do not come out and will show.
Happy sewing!
48 comments:
Stunning! Job well done, you will get so many compliments!
Awesome! I want one! Love the DK back, too.
This is so chic - I want one too! Hmm, maybe it's time to shop my leather stash and see what I can turn up.
Somtimes the simplest things are the best! I love this, it's so fashion forward and definitely does not have a home made feel. Great job!
Very stylish, I can see why the men in your life gave you so many compliments. Great job.
I can see how wearable this is, it looks great
Wow - this is beautiful, and so chic! You've inspired to to look at the leather
Fabulous and you are making me want one!
I am loving the simplicity of your recent work. Especially the mix of textures - leather and knits. I know your photographer is missing in action but love to see some wearing shots.
Stunning! I am definitely inspired to try working with some leather after seeing this. Thanks for sharing!
Meg - this is freakin' awesome! Loves it!
This looks like something out of a glossy fashion magazine. Absolutely stunning! It's genius to put double knit at the back. Saving money and improving the fit at the same time- wow!
Wow - you've done it again!
Oh wow this looks like it just stepped straight off the runway, just fantastic.
Wow, you go! Fab idea to make the back so it would fit close. Very cool!
Love, love,love , your top. The use of the black wool knit on the back is brilliant. I have a quilted leather piece that has been just sitting there I may use your inspiration, thanks.:O)
I just finished making the same top you made in leather in a sueded-feel fabric. was an easy top and now I want it in leather!
You must model now so we can all see! Looks fabulous!!!
This is seriously awesome.
This is a great use for those partial skins I always end up with, too! Not enough for a bag or skirt, but plenty enough for half a top! ;) I've seen loads of these in high end RTW shops in London, too, but at ridiculous prices...
AWESOME!!!!! I want one also. Thanks for sharing the ease of sewing with leather. I really like your idea of the DK for the back
great top, now I want one. years ago I was on a kick to sew leather, I made a number of tops and a suit. Very fun and not difficult at all. Might have to try it again.
It looks fabulous!
Fabulous! I love it!
Love it! Great idea in using wool doubleknit for the back. I am filing this top away in my memory banks and just might have to have one too.
You do look hot. Biker chic meets classy leather.
That is an awesome look!
Superb! It looks so high fashion but amazingly wearable. What a brilliant idea to use double-knit for the back - so well thought out!
InStyle magazine is fast becoming my go to for sewing inspiration too. Love the top - you are so brave to try it in leather.
Very NET-A-PORTER. This looks amazing.
I love it, love it, love it!!
And I want one, too!
We are all going to be wearing our copy-cat leather tops.
Great tip to use a double knit for the back. Sooo chic!!
Great top Lindsay!!! Sexy describes it well!
This is an amazing top! Very versatile and stylish at the same time! And it can be made from 4 pieses! You sold me on this one!!:)
Now I wanty it too!!!
Very chic - I love it!
What a neat fun top...it will go with so much, and black is always a b***h to photograph!
Now THAT is how you do leather with class. BRAVO!
Lovely top and looks great paired with the cardigan.
Very stylish!
That is by far the chicest piece yet, and bravo for tackling it. I agree, having made my blue suede dress, that leather, properly fitted and cut, is one of the easiest materials to finish, and a joy to wear.
Was just thinking that I wasn't loving the whole leather top...until I saw yours. It's so classy and not at all boxy-looking. Great job!
Again, a great, a great top. Unique and simple. Wonderful project. You are very inspiring. Thank you !
I was in that leather store last week, I found it overwhelming. There was so much to choose from I didn't know where to start. The sales people seemed nice enough, but I didn't want to waste their time if I chose not to buy. I ended up buying a six dollar piece of leather at mood in their remnant box. I hope to use it as accent on a purse or something. Thank you for sharing how much you spent on the leather there, I may go back with a little more confidence!
Did you see all the leather tops in New York magazine this week? There was a little shopping feature about them. Most of them were incredibly outrageously expensive!
These leather tops look fabulous. I bought some skins but have been too afraid to try them. I think I may steal some of your ideas!
Your top is terrific.
I saw several similar tops while shopping last weekend. I came back to thank you for the inspiration to give this a try myself.
Lovely! can you show or describe how you lined the top? it's so simple and so elegant!
Rose in SV
This is fantastic! I have been admiring the skins at Fabric Mart online, but wondered how to incorporate them into a garment. This is a great idea, and I agree that In-Style is a wonderful magazine for sewing inspiration and fashion. I get a lot of ideas from it.
This tops is just beautiful. I have never dared to sew leather - haven't quite got my courage up yet to try. I like that you did the back in a wool double knit. I think that would take care of a lot of the fitting issues (for me, anyways).
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