Finished - A silken Minute

This is one of those makes that I wished I'd finished months and months ago - but alas it's lovely silky summery goodness will have to wait another 6 months or so to be worn in high rotation (or I shall have to go on a tropical holiday, which would be fine).

A very long time ago (at least 18 months) a very stylish and tasteful lady (let's call her Past Sarah) bought herself a precious metre of the most beautiful printed silk at her local fabric store. This silk was part of the beginning of The Stash, and has since been pulled out, refolded, and put back into The Stash many times until Current Sarah felt confident enough to do it justice. Initially I had planned to make a Wiksten Tank with it, but instead decided the simple lines and stress-free construction of the Aime Comme Marie Minute top would be more a more useful piece. It's the most beautiful soft, slinky, lush fabric. I adore it.

I've made this pattern once before (blogged here) and wear it quite a bit - I just wished it was a little bit longer. It's a very simple kimono tee, nothing too difficult or technical, which is just what I wanted with my beautiful silk (the pattern is great value too - with 2 sleeve options and a colour blocking option, plus they claim it's suitable for knits as well as wovens - only 4 Euros!). I've only sewn with silk twice before - once to make the lining of my pink New Look 6000 dress, and my recent silk jersey green dress. I followed the Colette suggestion of spraying it with a stiffening spray (often used in quilting and appliqué) to make the fabric less slippery which worked very well (although if I use this again on a solid fabric I'll have to do a test run as it does seem to spot the fabric a bit - not a big deal as this fabric is printed in splatters anyway....).

This time I didn't bother with colour blocking. I just added a little more width to the hips and some length, but otherwise it is the straight size small. This time I constructed it slightly differently. I used self-fabric bias to finish the neckline, but instead of making up the top then doing the neckline I finished the front and back necklines separately first. I thought I was less likely to stretch it out and it would be slightly easier with the slippery fabric (it also meant I didn't need to bother with stay stitching). I struggle sometimes with finishing the neckline nicely when it is a boat neck - that sharp angle at the shoulder seam can be a bit tricky, so I did them separately, then just made it up as normal, with french seams. I also did a narrow hem on the sleeves once I'd done the shoulder seams, but before the side seams to make it a little easier too. I know it's not as neat inside, but if someone is that close to me to be checking out the insides of my top then I've probably other things to worry about.....

It's just the most lightest, prettiest fabric. I'm so glad I didn't mess it up!

I have worn it in the cooler weather with a camisole and cardi, but the cold days are now upon us, so it will now go back into the wardrobe to be stroked and admired until my Preferred Temperature Range of 25-30C is back...... meanwhile the Autumn/Winter sewing plans continue to be realised....