Friday 12 October 2012

a little something, something

Bows = JOY
Or, not one bow-but TWO!  This autumn I fell in love with the bow tops I've been seeing in magazines and on Pinterest, and have been itching to make one for myself.  I'm also not the first blogger/seamstress to express my love of the bow -  whimsical but understated, chic but not too serious, a little bit sexy, a little bit demure.  I had to make my own.  Here it is...
 
 
I also love sewing projects where you get to make design decisions throughout the process - when you have an idea in mind, but you have to wait to manipuate the actual fabric to decide which effect works best.  Something you can't always see in a toile.  In this case, I didn't know if the bows would end up poofy or square, or layered or ribbons (one of each, please!)... in the end I decided on these narrow flat strips cut on the bias, with a short tail peeking out the back.  I also omitted a tie, so they are more like figure-eight folds.
I did toile up the basic construction, to make sure it would stay up.  Using a block, I measured the outer circumference of my back and shoulders from the front of my left arm scythe, or arm hole, to the front of the right. 
 
Then i cut out a strip from the centre back of the pattern, about 15cm or so in length, and inserted a piece of elastic which was slightly smaller, so that it would help hold the top up and expand with my arm movement. 
Also worth mentioning that to let the front exterior shell hang freely and maintain a clean edge, I added interfacing only to the inside of the top band (the side that's hidden).
 
 
And of course, a hidden hem band.  I LOVE this white fabric with black hearts...dress coming soon...
 
Just one last thing to figure out - how to get my winter coat over these arm bows...  Ah, forget practicality, I have bows!


14 comments:

  1. Too cute! Such a nice top, good job!

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  2. Followed you over from burdstyle *follows* yay!!
    this is so lovely and elegant! I would love a little shift dress like this! Did you put any darts for the bust at all? Gorgeous job, looks so well made!

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    1. Thanks so much! It was originally going to be a dress but I decided it out as a top first to see how well it held up (I worried the dress would be too heavy with this fabric). I moved the bust darts to the hem but maybe a little more shaping would be a good thing? Looking forward to seeing your version if you decide to do it! THanks again.

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  3. This is adorable! It looks like there is some kind of magic holding in up. Love it.

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    1. Thanks! Ha.. I swear there's no double-sided tape..!

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  4. This is truly magnificent. I LOVE how sleek and minimalist it is. It's almost startling in its simplicity and it really frames your lovely face so well... I may totally try something similar after seeing this beauty!

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    1. Thank you Heather Lou! Would love to see your version!

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  5. I absolutely love that top. It's simple yet elegant with the off-shoulder bows.
    You look amazing with that top, it really frames you face beautifully.
    I am definitely keeping this idea stored in my mind for later, thank you for so much inspiration.

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    1. Hi Pauline thanks again and yes please do! Love your coat and looking forward to seeing more creations!

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  6. This is such a pretty top. i made two of off shoulder tops recently and thinking how i can make this top using my pattern.if you don't mind..
    I love your original pieces very much. amazing.
    what fabric did you use? it looks kind of shiny.

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    1. Thank you! Yes please do, would love to see what you do with it, and how your elisalex turns out too! Just added you to my blog roll, looking forward to following!
      I think the shinyness is just the camera. It's a blend of some sort I found at fabric land. Doesn't wrinkle very much so prob polyester...

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