Monday, July 14, 2008

BWOF Project of the Month: June



The June Burda magazine featured a grouping of knit tops - the exposed shoulders on this one make it fun and flirty. Plus, I think most women are fairly satistified with the appearance of their shoulders, so this top, which provides plenty of drapey coverage everywhere else, should work for many figures.



Fabric
Heather grey rayon/lycra jersey from my local fabric shop.
Pro-tricot fusible interfacing from Sew Exciting on the neckband.

Notes on construction/alterations
I know everyone gripes about Burda instructions, and I try not to, but after 2 read-throughs, I gave up on whatever they were saying about applying the neckband. Dawn already gave us a great tutorial on how she did her version. I used another method that I was already experienced with thanks to a similar neckband in a past project:




My camera was not focusing well for these pictures - sorry...




As per Burda's instructions, sew the outer/interfaced neckband to the bodice, then sew the inner/facing neckband to the outer neckband. Press that seam open. Do this for both the front and the back.




Stitch the front and back neckbands together at the shoulder seams. Here I've pinned together the seam that will be stitched.




Press open the seam allowances.




Turn the facing to the inside, press the seam allowances up so it's hidden in the neckband. I've pinned everything in place for security.




Topstitch close to the edge, making sure to catch the facing on the inside.


One other note: I took about 4 inches off the overall length.

Conclusion
A little more time consuming than a basic tee, but worth it.

41 comments:

Adrienne said...

Very cute!

Sigrid said...

Super top. I want one too now.

Anonymous said...

It looks very nice.
Like the color you chose too !

Tany said...

Superb! I love it and I will try to squeeze this top into my ever growing project list....

AllisonC said...

You know when I first saw this top I thought it reminded me of the eighties too much, but it's really grown on me and I love your version! Thanks for the tutorial, I'm having my own BWOF instruction gripes at the moment too.

Gwen said...

Very cute! Thanks for the tutorial - that looks like a good method. It's so nice to hear from you again - I had been missing your posts recently. :)

Stephanie said...

Great outfit!

Lisette M said...

Well you have convinced me to make this top. You look elegant but fun and relaxed at the same time. Thanks for the construction tips!

cidell said...

I cannot believe I like this top. I think it's so cute. But, wouldn't have made it in a million years. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.

yaiAnn said...

That's totally not me.. but it looks fabulous on you!

flanthrower said...

Great top!

Bonnie O. said...

That is adorable! Would be cute turned into a dress, too!

Amanda S. said...

This is so cute. I LOVE IT!!! Great job.

Lashell said...

such a cute top. This one has been very popular on the blogsphere.

Anonymous said...

Looks great! And I'm so digging grey right now, too... :)

Leslie said...

I never would have given this pattern a look, but it is impossibly cute on you!!! And how awesome is the gray with white pants? Love it! Thanks for the construction pics, looks very similar to what I used on my kwik-sew dress.

Meg said...

Nice work! I like it better on you than on the model.

Sherril said...

I like the drape and fit you got in that t-top. It turned out great. In order to take focused close-in shots, I put my macro function on for my camera and it focuses much better.

Anonymous said...

It is the perfect outfit for everyday! thanks for showing the neckband. I was reading the instructions and was confused too.

Erica Bunker said...

Very cute top!

~ Kimberlee B ~ said...

Too cute.

Melissa said...

Too cute! I actually will be making that this week. DH & I have a hot date on Friday to a concert and I thought that would be the perfect top to wear. You look fabulous girl! :-)

Anonymous said...

I just love seeing your projects. I love that top. I wonder how it would translate into a dress with a belt?

Vicki said...

That looks so cute on you!

Maryissewfast said...

I love that top! I did some tweaking to make mine fit the way I wanted, but it is comfortable and cute! Good job...Mary

Anonymous said...

You look so cute in this! I'm really glad you made this up when I saw the top I had wanted to make it, I'm happy to see it turned out so well.

Liz R. said...

that turned out so cute! great job!

LauraLo said...

Such a cute top and it looks so great on you! I think I'll make one too. See, you're very persuasive :)

Kitty Couture said...

Your new top is adorable, and very you!

Kelly said...

Love the top. And great tut.

Jamie said...

I love how your top turned out! This is definitely on my list for after I finish my July 2008 #118!

Linda L said...

Love your top and you are right most women like their shoulders and this is a nice top to show them off. Thanks for the helpful photos on applying the neckband.

BCN - UNIQUE designer patterns said...

Christina .- beautiful top, really. You always get some stylish clothes. Thanks for the tutorial on interfacing. greetings, Paco

angie.a said...

Cute top Christina! I've worn mine several times!

Cennetta said...

Very cute. I'm seriously thinking about making this too. Thanks for the tutorial.

Reethi said...

Love it! I really like everything you are making this summer - love the neutrals, and it has this casual yet really sophisticated vibe to it.

Anonymous said...

you're adorable and you never cease to impress me! :)

Nancy Winningham said...

this looks so cute on you!

Katrin said...

In fact, this is a great top. I can also imagine to embellish the neckband with beads or rivets.
Very great and it looks stunning on you.
Best wishes,
Katrin

Gorgeous Things said...

That looks so much better on you than on the model!

Unknown said...

Okay, I know I'm majorly late to this post, but I really like the way this top turned out on you.