New Look 6104 - anything but boring

I picked up this pattern because I love wearing woven sleeveless tops in the summer.  I had, in fact, ordered several 1 yard lengths of mid-weight linen from www.fabric-store.com just to make something like this.  This pattern kind of seems a bit "ho-hum" at first glance, but I really like the lines of it, the button front detail, the tucks and different front treatments.

Well, about a week ago I made a pair of shorts and then discovered that I had NO tops that would go with them.  I saw this pattern in my little box of "to-do soon" patterns and grabbed the piece of linen in the color called "chardonnay"

This top took me a little longer than I thought, but I really enjoyed making the front tucks and the other details that took a little longer on this top.  The smallest size this pattern comes in is a 10, but I really need an 8 or smaller across the shoulders. (Before you start thinking, "Oh, she's so tiny"  let me remind you that I am doing a FBA and grading out to a 14 in the hip.  I just have tiny shoulders apparently.)  I am really happy with the fit on this, so I immediately started thinking about making it again.

As you can see at the left, I also changed the button placement on this one.  Wow - I'm really stepping out of the box now (LOL)  Also, I turned the bias binding completely in to the inside instead of wrapping it around the top.  Not because I was being creative, but because I didn't read the directions very well!  Because of this wider binding, I used two rows of topstitching around the neck and armholes.










 I decided to look at some reviews on PR and got inspired by one review in particular.  Look at what this clever girl did with this pattern!!  This is from a review by ACBrown28.  She has some interesting details about this pattern on her blog (and she's a funny writer too!)




Anyway, I was very inspired by her versions and went on to version 2.

For this version I used a piece of cotton I had picked up last year from Beverly's. They mostly sell quilting cotton, but this piece is a bit lighter weight and has a nicer hand and drape. I bought it to make something for my daughter, but she hated the print. I like it.

(Oh, in case you're wondering what in the world I have in my hand, there is actually the most beautiful baby in the world sitting on a little car at the end of that handle. Not that I'm biased or anything.)

 On this version I added a neck ruffle and cap sleeves (both included in the pattern)

 I like the sleeves because they have a little pleat and nice shape.








 I also added a casing for waist elastic. I used bias tape and 1/4" elastic. Next time I need to move the elastic down about 3/4" Next time? Yes, there will be a next time. I also discovered on version one that I could easily slip this over my head and did not need the button front. So, version 2 here has a fake placket down the front and those buttons do nothing but adorn the blouse. They aren't really the buttons I wanted to use, but since I just had foot surgery, I couldn't run to the store to get something else. It's all about stash-diving right now!

Parting shot:  I just had foot surgery on both of my feet less than two weeks ago.  Even though I have to keep my feet up a lot, I'm still finding time to sew!  When I'm not sewing, this little Emma keeps me entertained!

Two Tops

I keep saying that I'm going to do this, but I never do. I always admire people who make a pattern, and then make it again immediately. It is such a smart thing to do. First of all, you already have everything out (pattern pieces, notions, etc.)and all of the directions are fresh in your mind. If there are any fit issues, it is easy to tweak them, since you just made it and you know what needs to be changed. But do I do this? No, well, not until today. I started out making the off-white top because I needed a basic top that would go with just about everything. I wear a lot of white and off-white tops, but I never seem to have enough of them. I had this acrylic sweater knit from fabric.com and made up the top from McCalls 4517.

I also knew that I wanted to make another knit top out of this purple and black fabric. Since I already had everything out, I just cut and made another one. It took about half the time of the first, because I already knew what I was doing. I really like how the second one came out. It is from a poly lycra knit that reminds me of chrysanthemums, so I'm calling this top my "chrysanthemum top".



I did make a couple of changes on the second version. First of all, I made it about 1.5 inches longer. Next, I lengthened the dart in the front. The gathers in the front are done by taking a dart in the CF, and then gathering it up with elastic. I really like how this works, and the sleeves are done the same way.



We're going to be gone most of the day tomorrow, but I would like to get the black wool pants cut out this weekend.