Thursday, March 06, 2008

2 Tops - 2 Very Different Styles

I finished up the silk crepe de chine tank the other night and am pretty happy with it. When I made the Marfy suit that it matches (a couple years ago) I was wearing it with an old silk top which by now has seen better days, and I always planned to do something with the silk scraps I had, but just never quite got to it. As I said, this is Marfy #9829 which was one of the free patterns in the Spring 2006 catalog. I'd made it before in knits and liked it, but one of the suggested fabrics was a woven. I used to wear a lot of silk tanks with jackets, but I haven't had any for quite a while, and I like just a basic tank for that. I see now that for a woven, you're supposed to put a side seam zipper in the top, so I may try that next time, but for a thin silk like this, it might be a little close-fitting anyway. I just added what amounted to 4" of ease to this at the bust and about an inch at the hip, and stitched it up, after a quick muslin of course. You can see it below with the jacket and also a pair of pants from my TNT pattern, with wide legs. I don't have any shoes on in the photo, so that makes them drag on the ground a bit.


Photo Link

I used bias binding on the armscyes and neckline, with a bow finishing the back neck.


Photo Link

Once I finished this, I wanted to make something from a darling bias plaid print knit, and used Simplicity #4020 which I made once before and liked pretty well. I think it turned out well in this, and I love the colors.

Photo Link

This was truly a quickie project, as I started it last night about 11pm and finished about 2:30am. I know I should work during the day instead, but honestly, there are a lot fewer interruptions at night.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

oh liana, you always look amazing and well put together to me, beautiful garments

Vicki said...

I hope you got to sleep in!? Both tops are lovely. The shell is just perfect with the suit jacket and pants and the plaid is really interesting with the diagonals.

Linda L said...

I like both tops. The knit one in plaid is very interesting look.

Elaray said...

If we were in the same place, I would hug you! At my church, we have a tradition to wearing African garb on the 4th Sunday. I was trying to think of a subtle way to introduce an African print into an outfit. Your jacket is just the inspiration I was looking for. That's another way of saying, "I'm going to copy your idea". ;) I can use an African print where you used that lovely stripe!

LauraLo said...

Two beautiful tops! I love how you made the facings of the jacket in the top fabric.

Anonymous said...

Both tops are lovely. I always loved a little silk tank, but haven't had one for years.

The plaid is really gorgeous. It must have been such a treat to stay up and finish something. Late night sewing (without distractions) can be such a joy at times.

Unknown said...

I love the Simplicity 4020. I need some new tops badly and this is perfect! I've added it to my wishlist. Thanks!

Linda said...

Both tops are stunning. I love the matching lapel to the top. Like Elaray, I'm going to have to borrow that idea. But don't hold your breath waiting for my outfit. This is an idea I'll hold onto for a long time.

365 Dresses said...

Both are beautiful, but the little bow is just too perfect! Love it!

Alexandra said...

Both tops are beautiful, but I just love the way the first one looks with the jacket's matching lapels.

kbenco said...

I love the tops too. The diagonal plaid looks gorgeous with that collar.

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

Both of these beautiful!

Rhoto said...

Oh, Liana!! I always say that if a new garment is not worthy of a beautiful hanger, it should never hang on my shoulders!!
You have two, new pretty reasons for your hangers! I especially love the little bow accent!!
Warm greetings,
Rhonda in Montreal (PR)

Sheila said...

Gorgeous tops.

Marji said...

Beautiful tops Liana. It must feel like breathing new life into the Marfy outfit with that new top. And the colors are so well suited to you.

Anonymous said...

Hello Liana! I have been trying to contact you for awhile. First of all, I love your blog. You are such a stylish, classy lady who does beautiful work. I would like to talk with you about your gorgeous Katia Serpentina Shell but can't seem to find a way to make contact. Can I give you my e-mail address? Or can you provide yours? Would love to ask you a few questions. I'll check back in the hope that we can connect. All the best, Deborah

Anonymous said...

Oops...I don't think I did this correctly. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to leave my comment as an anonymous person. I'll try it again and see if I can identify myself. (shaking head) Here goes...wish me luck.

I look forward to hearing from you Liana. Deborah

Liana said...

Thank you everyone for being so very kind! I do hope anyone who want to would just steal any idea I have. After all, I see them somewhere else first too.

Deborah, Why don't you sign up at Stitcher's Guild and then you can PM me. I'd love to talk about the Katia shell. If you don't want to sign up there, put your email address in a comment here and I'll delete it after I get it.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Liana said...

Deborah, I've deleted your email address and I look forward to discussing the shell. :)