Hot Patterns Weekender Sunshine Top ... with embellishment!

My last summery top for this season. I chose to make the Hot Patterns Weekender Sunshine top in the shorter length and sleeveless.

The fabric I used is a beautiful rayon jersey bought from Bargain Box in Ipswich in July last year. I decided to embellish it after seeing this top in the window at Jacqui E.


After watching the videos that HP produced on the top and on embellishment, I decided to use rolleau and buttons covered in self-fabric instead of beads. This photo shows the detail - you can see the metal shine on some of these buttons, but it is only the flash that has caused that - they do not shine normally!

Trudy from Hot Patterns describes this top as suiting everyone, whether you have a small or a large bust and I think she is right!

I am really happy with how this top turned out and am only sorry that the weather is cooling off and I may not get a chance to wear it much until next Summer (maybe I should try it layered - could work??)

Link to my review here.

And as a parting shot(s), I have now got laundry benches in my new laundry but they have strange marks all over them...

Oh that's why...

A great tip for the Ottobre Katherine top.

This is not my tip, but a tip from one of my blog readers which I thought should be shared. The Ottobre Katherine top has been very popular and I get a comment on it every time I wear it. One of my lovely blog readers Sandra (aka Dilliander) has been in touch with me and I really wanted to share this great tip for marking the ruffle placement on the sleeves. I traced mine on with carbon paper, but it was not a perfect solution. This is Sandra's method:

The template is simply a manila divider and I used a spiky tracing wheel to mark the stitching lines, including the notch at the top so I could position it accurately. The weight of the board made it easy to chalk the guidelines.

Fabulous solution - and here is a photo of the finished top - don't you love it!

Next post - I have finally managed photos of my finished Sunshine Weekender top...

Questions & answers

I have had some questions lately so thought I should answer them as best I can in this post.

My post on Simplicity 2451 skirts had the following queries:

Imaan said...

Looks like a great pattern Sue! Very nice. I have a question about the facing on the second skirt, which you did with the rayon tape. Is that the same as Petersham? And if so, where did you buy it? Is it available in Australia, or did you source it from O/S?

Imaan - it is not the same as Petersham, it is much lighter in weight and not woven in the same way. I bought mine from this ebay seller. It is called Hug Snug. Belinda is the one who got me interested in using Rayon tape and who recommended this seller to me.

Gail said...

I love the grey skirt. Do you know where I can buy some of that hand top stitching measuring tape? Also the tab for the invisible is a great innovation - Could you do a tutorial?

Gail, I received that tape as a gift in my quilting days. I would try quilt shops. Good luck! On the tab, you can get more info and piccies on how it is done in this post. I have this on my side bar under 'My skirt sewing tips'. HTH!

Julia said...

these skirts look great on you! Has Queensland dried out yet?

The water has gone but the clean-up continues. Sadly I think there is still about 3 people missing locally and they are continuing the search for them.

From the post on the Ottobre Katherine top:

Sewingelle said...

love, love, love these tops! Green suits you too.

Did you finish the edges of the ruffles or just let them curl under?

I considered leaving the edges un-finished, but the instructions say to roll-hem the edges, so I used it as an opportunity to make better friends with my Overlocker (we have an un-easy, volatile relationship). Leaving the edges raw would be cute, but the roll-edge gives you the opportunity to use a contrast thread or perhaps a shiny thread to add some more interest to the top.

and from the review on patternreview.com (not sure that o3b will see this, but I thought others may have wondered the same):

o3b said...
I love your tops. I can see the results of your other pasttime love - fitness. You look fabulous in both of them. Did you do an alternate neckline shape on the floral one?

The neckline does look slightly different in each top but it is the same. I think the different fabrics used has affected how the neckline sits.

And on the post on the Navy dress:

Carol said...

What, no picture of the dress styled with stationery? Only yesterday I styled my low wrap-front dress with a large red paperclip. Perhaps we can start a new trend? Navy is a nice colour on you. I always avoid it because it reminds me of uniforms, but I'm seeing so much of it these days I might have to make something navy.

Carol - I thought about showing the fold-back clip in the photo, but mine was a very dull black!

I also had some comments on the review about trying elastic on the neck edge. I do think this would help, but I am reluctant to un-pick two rows of stitching in dark navy jersey fabric, so will not be trying it on this version.

I also had some suggestions to try it with necklaces and those people will be very happy to know that they totally enabled me to go shopping at the Elk website - love the new necklaces, but I haven't tried them with the dress yet!

I have done some more sewing, finishing my Hot Patterns Sunshiner top and will try and get a photo this week-end. I am also moving onto Autumn sewing as the weather is definitely cooling down. First up are a few pieces to wear at home - comfortable & cute (I so hope!)

And so this post has a photo... who needs a cushion when you have a dog to lean on?

Vogue 8646 Navy dress

I have just finished Vogue 8646 Wrap dress. This dress appealed to me as the skirt did not seem as full as some other wrap dresses and I liked it's simplicity. It also can be made from woven (lightweight broadcloth, lightweight crepe) or stretch fabric (lightweight jersey).

I chose a navy jersey I had in my stash (bought from Gardams Fabrics) and this was mainly influenced by Kate Middleton's engagement announcement dress - mine is much simpler, has no silk content and is made for a day at work, *sigh*.

I traced this pattern ages ago in a size 12 with cup size A (It is a custom fit pattern with different cup sizes - bonus). I do think I could have gone down a size. I took it in at the bust and also ended up wrapping the wrap from side seam to side seam whereas the pattern does not wrap so far. However with doing this, it still gapes at the neckline. I thought I had the problem solved and it would be fine for work but took it to gym this morning, changed and went to work to find myself flashing everyone. I ended up putting a fold-back clip on the front to stop the flash! :)

Next time I wear it will be with a cami!


However all that said I still like this dress enough to persevere with it. A cami will be found and I have plans to make an obi belt to wear with it. The skirt swishes nicely when I walk and, apart from the flashing, it is highly suitable for work.

However I don't think I would bother making this again with other good wrap dress patterns around. I may put this skirt onto another pattern sometime though. The pattern review is here for those interested.

Next up - more fun sewing - Hot Patterns Weekender sunshine top with fun embellishment!

Ottobre Katherine top

Happiness is my new favorite top!

Ottobre magazine 02/2010 Katherine top. I have seen a few others make this top and recently in a fit of shopping in my pj's I bought the back issue form Crafty Mama's.

This is what makes this pattern so great - the ruffle detail on the sleeve makes for a touch of funkiness I love.



The top also fits great straight from the pattern. This fabric is a lovely rayon knit from Gorgeous fabrics.



I loved it so much that I made another in a bright ditzy floral print also from Gorgeous fabrics.



This top is warmer than the rayon version so I haven't had a chance to wear it yet. Probably my only comment on this top is that it is not very long. I am average length in the body if you are long in the body or prefer a longer top you may want to lengthen it.

Pattern review link here!

Simplicity 2451 Skirts

Simplicity 2451 has been a very popular pattern on PatternReview.com and with good reason. It is a lovely skirt to make - well drafted, better than usual instructions (as it is 'easy-to-sew') and a good variety in the one pattern envelope.

I have made two skirts which have taken me more time than usual, while trying to cope with the renovation as well.

The first is View C and is made in a french crepe (polyester) bought from Gardams. I bought this fabric specifically to make this skirt. As it is black it is of course, difficult to photograph but very useful in the wardrobe.




The second version I made was in a stretch woven like a RPL (also bought from Gardams but has been in the stash a while). The stretch in the fabric makes it very comfortable. It is an unusual blue colour which reminds me of a uniform a bit but it has worked out fine and I am hoping it will work well with my work shirt (light blue chambray with navy/black logo). This one was version B. I added the stitching detail to the yoke but not the tabs.


Close-up of the stitching detail on the yoke and pocket edges. (Colour not true in this photo - it is not this bright).


To do the stitching and keep the stitches even and straight I used some tape gifted to me in my quilting days. It is about 1/4" wide and has markings to follow to make your stitches even. I put the tape on the edges I wanted to stitch against. You only need one piece that you move on as you stitch. I chose to stitch it in the same colour thread as the fabric, as opposed to making it contrast as I had seen this on RTW clothing.

The only changes to the pattern was to edge the inside facing with rayon tape (instead of turning it up) and this makes it more like RTW plus means less bulk in this seam. I also added my usual tab at the top of the zip (invisible zip as usual) on the inside with a snap. It looks bulky here but doesn't sit bulky when worn the right way.


I am now onto swimwear sewing. I have bought three Kwik-sew patterns, swimwear fabric and notions. Hopefully something to post soon!

The reno is moving along. The extension is at lock-up so the nasty temporary tin wall is gone and new and old are open to each other. This is great for many reasons - we know have a back door, windows, etc, but the dust from the building work is getting overwhelming and I am now at the stage that I am getting used to chatting to builders as they work while I am still in my jammies preparing breakfast!

Renovations and sewing...

Well, renovations and sewing do not make a good mix. So very little sewing has been happening as you can probably tell from my non-existent posting rate.

The house was built originally in the early 50's and has had a few ordinary add-ons done to it. We have had the back of the house and carport demolished and are adding a new front deck, carport and extending waaa..aay out the back. I get a new bedroom and this means I get to have the old bedroom as my new sewing studio!! Much sewing will be happening soon as it is finished!!

Pictures of the reno as it is now...

Front deck...


Front deck showing new undercover link to carport...

The back half which has been added on...
The back deck...
View of the extension from the back.
A more complete set of photos of the house can be see here for anyone interested.

I did manage to make two new skirts for work from Simplicity 2451. Photos next post. I have also been reading up on sewing swimwear as there is a swim spa in the back deck so I am determined to add swimwear to my repertoire now!