Every year in March, a fabric shop near me has a 50% off everything sale. The shop is Homecraft Textiles. It is run by a lively and helpful bunch of Middle Easterners and is stuffed full of fabrics and haberdashery. I love browsing through all the interesting bits and pieces which tend to be quite different from the other chain store fabric shops in Perth. The sale is a great time to stock up on good quality thread, sewing implements, press studs, zips, ribbons and trims and, of course, fabrics. I had this Burdastyle top in my head when I visited at the beginning of the sale (oh yes, I will be visiting several more times before the sale is finished) and when I spied this fabric I thought it would be perfect.
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| Burdastyle banded tank 11/2012 #104 (Source) |
The unique feature of this very simple top is the knit fabric bands at the neckline, armholes and waist. I thought I'd have this all sewn up in under an hour - and I would have if it was knit on knit - but knit on woven is a different matter altogether. I ended up re-doing the neckline about five times before it was sitting properly. I have summarised my final method below:
The trick for attaching the knit at the neckline and armholes was to stretch it very slightly, but only the gentlest bit, as it is pinned and sewn to the woven fabric. The lengths suggested by the pattern for the knit bands was too long for my ribbing, but ribbed knits vary in stretch so may be different with different fabrics. Clip the curves and topstitch in place for a neat finish.
The ribbed waistband is easy peasy to attach. Its just a folded strip which is stretched to fit the woven edge and stitched in place. I used the suggested measurement for the width of the waistband, but I shortened the height of it to give a finished measurement of 9cm instead of 12cm.
I really like the knit and woven combo. It smartens the knit and gives a sporty, comfortable feel to the woven. I can see more of these in my future, especially now I've got the method sussed.
22 comments:
This looks super comfortable and really nice. I think I'll have to add this to my list. I wanted some nice, light and comfy top patterns for summer - so thank you! :)
Amy (www.thatssewamy.com)
The top is just lovely! And thanks for the construction tips.
Well, the pink knit looks very fresh! Who'd have guessed it was stored 30 years?!
And who'd have guessed you had to redo the neckline 5 times!? It's perfect and not at all savaged-looking. Just goes to show it pays to persevere to get it right. Lovely colour combinations.
I bought this magazine after you posted the last top made using this issue. I am not usually a Burdastyle fan but there are soo many useable patterns in this issue. I am looking forward to getting started.
I really like your version if this top. I might have to add it to my list of makes.
This is soooo comfy. I'm glad you like it - you have great style so that really is a compliment!
You're welcome and thank you for the compliment :)
Thank you! It's a wonder it's not savaged looking as I was getting pretty savage with it by the end! But yes, it is worth getting it right otherwise it just annoys you every time you wear it or, worse still, you don't wear it!
Awesome! I'm thrilled you like my things from this magazine enough to buy it yourself. It certainly is a great issue, I have fabric ready for two more patterns from it, so stay tuned!
Meg! I love this! And you're a natural born model, you're so good on camera! And thanks, too for the tutorial pics. I just love those. I know they can be difficult to get and tedious to post, but I sure do appreciate it whenever anyone does.
Rock on,
Coco
Thanks for the tips! ~Major Moma
Love this top! The mini binding looks lovely! You did a very neat job.
You are far too kind - but thank you :D So pleased you like the tutorial, many bloggers seem to be moving away from them, but I love them!
You are welcome! I'm sure I'll refer to them myself next time too, which is a huge benefit of blogging!
Thank you so much. It was a nightmare to get right, but worth it in the end :)
This is lovely I already have fabric, trim and pattern. Just wondering about the sizing? Did you find it quite roomey or was it fitted. Would you have a recommendation?
I found it roomy and it would be even more so in a knit fabric (more roomy than it looks in these pictures). Next time I make this I'll take the sides in or maybe even make a smaller size. I also shortened it by about 8cm but you can adjust this just before you add the waistband. Good luck with yours!
Good morning, I have cut out according to my measurements and find the neck very big. I am using a woven fabric and am concerned with the ribbing on the neck. Did you adjust the neck edge before you cut the fabric. Seems very big. Any suggestions would be very helpful. Thanks again.
Thank you for your suggestions. I have cut out the pattern in a woven fabric according to my size and find the neck to be huge. I don't think the ribbing will lay flat and fear the neck will look gathered. Did you do any adjustment to the neck in the woven fabric before cutting out. Thanks again for you help.
I have cut the pattern out in the woven fabric according to my size and find the neck to be very big. Looks like two to three inches could come out. Did you adjust the neck at all before cutting?
So sorry for the delay. I didn't adjust the neckline at all, just cut it according to the pattern. As you say, you don't want to gather the woven fabric with the knit. You could try using a wider knit band if you are worried that the neckline will be too low. That will help raise it a little bit. Alternatively, you could try adding a couple of darts into the neckline or raise it by taking some fabric off the shoulders (this will shorten the whole top). It may take a little experimentation. Good luck :)
Please see my response above
Please see my response above
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