My attempts to refresh my summer wardrobe without buying anything are reaching interesting lengths. I seem to be spending all moments when not working, eating, or snoozing at the sewing machine. If my maniacal dressmaking activities are boring you, look away now (I fear that the thrill of my new clothes is certainly wearing thin on Mr B, who just mutters, ‘yes, very nice’ at each new item and goes back to reading his issue of ‘What’s Brewing?’)
Here is the fruit of yesterday evening’s labours. I had been looking at Mariko Fujinaka’s instructions for a ‘summer top’ in The Crafter’s Companion and decided, with some modifications, to give it a go.
Again, I used another old top as the the template, and cut out front, back, and facings:
I sewed the facings to the front and back, then seamed it up the sides. Then I added the now-obligatory external pockets (which you have no doubt noticed are something of a theme with me). These ones are an obvious echo of those I knitted a few weeks ago for the kaari sweater
yes, and more buttons too . . .
I then made some running stitches around the neck and along the pocket (to separate off three different sections) with sashiko thread:
I am very pleased with how neatly I managed the seams and facings:
so here’s the finished top:
and me in it
Nice and simple. This was made from the remaining piece of dark indigo-dyed cotton I used for the top in the previous post, and two fat quarters (one with a wave, and one with a crane-fly print). Again, it’s a Japanese dobby-weave fabric. It has a linen-like hand and hang, both of which I really like. I only have a few more fat quarters of this lovely stuff left and am tempted to combine the whole shebang into some joyous all-over garment of Japanese dobby. I may look odd, but who cares? I really enjoyed Felix’s recent post, in which she talks about her forthcoming patchwork skirt as a ‘portable case of ideas.’ Brilliant!
This post and several others of your sashiko quilted crafts (in particular, the pincushion) have piqued my curiosity… I can’t *not* try it any longer !
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That’s super-cute. I’m envious of your sewing skills. I only ever sew when I’m making art and I can’t make clothes to save my life. I keep thinking that I should learn and I’ve tried a couple of times but it never ends well.
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…thanks also for the mention of the patchwork skirt being a ‘portable case of design ideas.’ I am thinking a lot about things we make in this way… like the sample sock tube I just blogged about. I am really excited about making things that are a record of ideas, and a suggestion for new ones, simultaneously.
So like a patchwork skirt would record a lot of colour choices but it would also give constant ideas for new ones. And a sample sock tube would be like this neverending wip that would always give the suggestion of becoming something new, as well as showing what has already been made.
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Your sewing projects are amazing! I am so impressed and inspired.
x
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Beautiful! I’ve been wanting something with a row of pockets like that, but I was picturing a knit project. It looks better sewn, however. I may need to improve my stitching skills.
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Slow down woman, I can’t keep up! Lovely, again!
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I really like your models…and the fabrics and the colors. Beautiful and simple.
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Love it, specially the having of pockets all across the bottom.
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Oh that blue on you is just stunning!
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You are a veritable goldmine of inspiration!
I spent a great deal of time at the moment talking to anyone who will listen (a category of people which I am rapidly depleting!) about how much I wish I could sew and how difficult I find it to bring myself to try. But you make it look so quick and easy. The thing is: I can knit all evening and, if I’m particularly speedy and not trying to read subtitles or argue with the radio at the same time (which is unlikely!), I’ll manage 3 inches of sock, or a couple of inches of lace. Hmm. However, it’s fast becoming evident that in not much more time than that, I could have a whole new TOP! Woohoo.
And if it were half as nice as yours, I would be over the moon. It looks great on you! I suspect that I might give into the temptation of Japanese fabric before too long – yours is lovely!
Thanks for sharing your project, and for reminding me of the shamefully long amount of time I’ve been meaning to buy Anna Torborg’s book…..
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