Monday, October 7, 2013

Sssssssslithery Snake Print Top! Love at First Hiss

I've been sewing with a lot of colors and not-my-normal fabrics since about May - knits, linen, and wax cloth in bright colors and prints. It's left me feeling a bit out of my element lately. I'm a native NY-er of the Brooklynite variety; black is my normal.

So, once I finished my rather loud pencil skirt, I turned my thoughts back to (a) black, (b) silk and (c) animal prints. Yay for normal!


V1247 in Snake Print Silk

This snake print silk charmeuse has been in my stash for a while. I've pulled it out many times and mused about what to make with it, but never settled on anything. Then I saw Tia Dia's V1247. After that I had dinner with Puu, who has made it a few times. And then, while tidying the Craft Lounge, I was caught in a pattern avalanche and out came V1247. Clearly, the universe was pointing me in a direction.

Vogue 1247 Rachel Comey top

For tops, I normally sew a 10 with an FBA in Vogue patterns, but because this top is meant to be very loose fitting, I cut a straight 8 and it fit exactly as I would want. That said, even though it is loose, the interesting seaming, shoulder pleats and Hollywood dart (that's the one at bust level) give it shape. I approve.


Styled for work

Sewing this was not perfectly smooth sailing, but all the problems were my own fault, and not the pattern or instructions.

Silk charmeuse can be unforgiving, prone to fraying, slippery and easy to stretch on the bias. My first mistake was not immediately stay stitching the neckline. When I went to sew it, one side had stretched out a little. I don't think it is particularly noticeable, but it's a good reminder for the future.

Can you see that the right neckline is slightly longer than the left? I dunno.

Next, right sides facing is so ingrained that french seams (ie: wrong sides facing) - which are one of the best finishes for seams in ravel-prone fine fabrics - tend to hurt my brain.  And, since either side of this fabric could have been considered the right side, well, my seam ripper was the hero of this project.

Last, I tried to finish the sleeves and hem while severely jet lagged. It didn't go well for me. Both sleeve and hem are now 1/2 an inch shorter than drafted because I mangled them on the first go round. So, I waited a week, trimmed the damage away, recut the sleeve cuff/facings, resewed and re-hemmed.




I like the sleeves at this length, but definitely would like extra length in the top.

Here's the view from the back.





Overall, I really like the style and fit of this top. So, I wore it styled casually for my Oktoberfest themed birthday with my family on Saturday. And I have to tell you, I think this top will be (a) worn a lot, (b) worn casually instead of to work and (c) made many times more, although I think I'll add some length.


Oktoberfest: Check out my new beer stein courtesy of my Pop.
(Yes, that is a mini keg that was tapped for my bday)

What do you think?

More sewing, knitting and birthday baking to follow! I'm really liking all the projects that are in the works at the moment.

21 comments:

Clio said...

You look lovely. Happy birthday

Clio said...

Oooh, this looks great! This pattern is so intriguing! I love it on you!

Clio said...

You look marvelous! Love the fabric, of course :) and Happy Happy Birthday to yoooooooooou!

Clio said...

LOVE it casually, and is definitely a great one to have tucked away for work when you don't want to go all the way "professional" but have a great skirt to go with it...

Clio said...

Thanks! I was initially thinking of it for work, but then I threw it on with jeans and I'm sold! So, I think it's not going to get worn to the office very often...

Clio said...

It's kinda different, isn't it?

Clio said...

Thanks!

Clio said...

Thanks! I feel like it shows when you are having a happy day.

Clio said...

Cute! I love the fabric and pattern combo you chose. It looks like it will be very comfortable and easy to wear, even if it was a pain to put together. You should definitely make more of this style.

Clio said...

Lovely top snd it looks great casual.

Clio said...

Definitely a winner. I've got this pattern but have yet to find the right fabric for it! I love the idea of a subtle animal print like this though. It's gorgeous :)

Clio said...

Thanks! It took me a while to find the right match, too. The seaming and darts aren't so obvious in a print like this. But you could always do the opposite and make it in a solid, so the interesting design takes center stage.

Clio said...

Gorgeous top! Love the print.

Clio said...

This is great! Yay for the sewing universe dumping this into your lap! Your fabric is PERFECT. ;)

Clio said...

Great top, it's so stylish and I think will work dressed up or down. Charmeuse can be a devil to work with, but what you have ended up with looks flawless. Keep enjoying your birthday!

Clio said...

So love the top! The cut is amazing and is really flattering. I am hoping that the business equipment financing that I applied for be approved fast. I want a new machine to create pretty dresses just like you.

Charmeuse is really challenging, but your craftsmanship is impressive!

Clio said...

Happy belated birthday, birthday twin! (For my celebration,
we et a big pot of piping hot brunswick stew, that my ancient parents cooked over a wood fire, in my grandmother's cast-iron wash pot. The weather was still 80 degrees Fahrenheit at 9 p.m. that evening.) I've sampled this top, and the next time I make it will fill in the neckline vastly -- even my saggy old bosom was in danger of falling out if I didn't pay close attention. Yours is much lovelier: both the blouse and the bosom, lol.

Clio said...

Happy Bday to you, too! That sounds like an awesome bday dinner!


It is pretty low cut. I was thinking that for my next version I might use the neck binding as trim instead of turning it to the inside. That would give a little extra coverage. Although, I am a sucker for an open neckline. ;-)

Clio said...

This looks great! I love the oversized fit, but how it's still flattering. I would love for you to link up in my weekly selfish sewing link party: http://laurendahl.com/sew-selfish-episode-2-and-nothing-to-show/ Hope to see you there!! :)

Clio said...

Loved seeing this top today! It's really flattering. I need to get this pattern!

Clio said...

I' m very glad to see this pattern turn out so beautiful for you. My version came out huge but I haven't given up yet ;-)