Here is a bit about my latest project. I’m really pleased with how it turned out. As a matter of fact, some of my favourite garments are from Burda Style – which is where this pattern is from. This is Design 106 from September 2012 Burda. The technical drawing for the pattern:
As you can see it’s an ‘upgraded’ t-shirt, with french darts, slight bell sleeves, a centre back seam with a “V” and a hem & neck band. There is also a dart at the sleeve head, which is sewn together with the shoulder seam for another neat detail. I sewed a 44, which I took in quite a bit at the waist and CB seam to make it more fitted. I lengthened the sleeves and body about 1″ and eliminated the hem band.
Some of these changes I made because of the incredibly aweseome sequin fabric:
Which as you can see is a sweater knit in charcoal grey with a matte sequin camo pattern. It’s made by Telio, and I got it at Fabricland. It’s pricey at $40/m, so I waited for a 50% off sale. It took 1 1/2 meters. The beautiful seaming is hidden, but the shaping is there and I like the simple, elegant lines of the top. There was quite a bit of plain knit at the selvedge, so I cut the neckband on the lengthwise grain to make use of the plain fabric.
Surprisingly the fabric did not need to be lined, and both my serger and regular machine sewed right through the sequins with ease. It’s not too scratchy on the inside either, the seams are serged, so it covers most of the sequins in the seams. I finished the hems with seams-so-soft (zig zagged to the hem, turned up then topstitched in two rows). Because it had some wool content (I think poly/wool?) it steamed and pressed quite well. I did use an organza press cloth. My hubby has dubbed it “Hilton Camo” (a variant of his “Hilton Hiker” phrase for those who dislike camping!)
Here is the back view:
I am wearing some trouser-jeans with it here, but I’m not sure this is the best choice. I’m thinking pencil skirt? Any suggestions?
it is beautiful! love the fabric and the shape, especially the v at the back.
A pencil skirt would be perfect! Great looking top.
Awesome top!! I think you could easily dress this up with a pencil skirt , though it rocks with jeans
well done on a notoriously difficult fabric!
Very nice top. Interesting fabric.
Really pretty top! I adore that fabric too. I’m impressed that your machines sewed right through it. Pencil skirt would be cute and the trouser jeans are a nice look too.
I love the top, and it is inspiring me to try to use french darts for shaping as well. What do you think are the advantages? And I do have a suggestion for fabric to wear with . . . and you choose whether to make a pencil skirt or trousers. I just purchased some “graphite” St. John wool-rayon doubleknit from EmmaOneSock, and it looks to me as if not only the colour would match perfectly, but the weight of this ponte would work beautifully too. (I’m making a knit sheath with mine, and I was debating purchasing some clear or matte sequins to embellish randomly.) Palazzo pants (with a sheer overlay or insets in the side seams) would be spectacular as well for a semi-formal affair — that’s what I wear with with my sequinned top. And I really like the grey; it’s a bit softer and more modern.
Thanks everyone for the lovely compliments. @Holly – I like the french darts because it gives shaping not only at the bust but along the waistline. I like the look of the darts too – they become a design element of the top – not that you can see them in this fabric, but in a striped or plain fabric they would certainly show.
I can certainly see a charcoal pencil skirt in my future!!