Finished - The Everlasting Spring

Sometimes you happen upon a fabric that is just glorious - there is no other way to describe it! Back when I outlined my autumn/winter sewing plans I mentioned I wanted to make some long sleeved dressy tops to wear out and about this winter, and in particular I was inspired by a beautiful printed silk long sleeve top my stylish bestie had acquired. It was very simple - a raglan long sleeve blouse, loose fitting, made from contrasting digitally printed silk. I decided my version would be made from my newly perfected New Look 6808/Laurel mashup (first successful crossbreeding posted here). Ideally I was after some silk or rayon, but couldn't find anything I was happy with and when I happened upon this extraordinary digitally printed polyester crepe at Darn Cheap my intrinsic synthetic prejudices were turned upside down. 

At $20/metre it was not cheap or nasty polyester. It had a lovely drape to it, amazing colours and being a crepe weave ever so slightly stretchy. I figured that I wanted to be warm, and if it wasn't the most breathable fabric I'd only be wearing in cooler weather...... It was so pretty! 


The print was directional, which meant I was limited with pattern placement, and I was careful not to have too obvious 'bunches of flowers' over le bust - but I didn't want to waste the print either. I think I've done ok in that department. Because I wanted to show off the print as much as possible I left the front fish-eye darts off, just adding bust darts and the back darts for shaping. 


It did fray something nasty, and in my never ending quest for the perfect finish sans-overlocker I decided to try french seaming the armscyes (following the Grainline tutorial) but I just couldn't make it happen. So I set them in normally and decided to bind the seams in rayon seam binding. Aesthetically this looked great but unfortunately the binding seemed to change the flexibility of the seams and made the armscyes feel tight and uncomfortable. Gutting! Especially as foolishly I bound BOTH armscyes before trying it on. Sigh. Off the binding came and on went my regular edge overcasting stitch. I also stuffed up binding the neckline and so it's ended up a touch too wide, but I can deal with that (so frustrating that something I've done so many times just didn't go to plan!).


I've worn it once already, and loved it - I felt chic, warm, comfortable, bright and fresh on a cold autumn night at a party full of black and grey-clad Melbournians! The colours are so intense, and the blue sky background and cherry blossom makes me feel happy as the days get colder and darker. Last year I made my first Colette Laurel and named it Winter Sunshine - I'm calling this one my Everlasting Spring! 







Comments

  1. Oh my goodness! This is exquisite!

    You know, I have the same feeling about armhole finishing - so now I just stick with overlocking the edges together. Quicker and more comfortable!

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    1. Thankyou Gail! It's strange isn't it? I figure it's because you are limiting the bias stretch of the fabric - previously I've used bias binging and been ok, but the rayon binding has no stretch....

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  2. So pretty! The print definitely justifies buying a poly. Some polys can be quite comfortable, and depending on the weave, actually breathable! I once bought a poly georgette that had a pretty open weave, so it was comfortable even in warm weather.

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    1. Thanks Sara! I couldn't leave it behind! I wore it last night for dinner and was a touch warm but it was a hot restaurant.... Time will tell!

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  3. You're absolutely right - that is simply glorious! What a sublimely lovely print. It sits beautifully on you too; you'll be wearing that proudly for years to come :) And I bet all those drab Melbournians were insanely jealous!

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  4. I really like where you ended up on the print placement - not only did you avoid flower-bust disaster but I think it's wonderfully flattering! And your neck binding looks great to me!

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    1. Thanks Morgan! It turned out well in the end!

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  5. Gorgeous!!

    SSB. https://facebook.com/sassysewingbees

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  6. Love this new top - such a pretty print ; )

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  7. The digital print is lovely, what a great top, despite your minor issues along the way.

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    1. Thanks Lexi - it's so frustrating when I stuff up things I should be able to breeze through! But it all turned out well in the end!

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  8. Wow I love that fabric and made up into that top... It's just perfect! I love the colour combo with the blue jeans too. Tres chic.

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  9. Thanks Jillian! I love it! Ps my Toulouse yarn arrived on Friday - very exciting!

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  10. This is lovely and I love that you have given it a deeper hem. I hope it sees lots of winter action.

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    1. Thanks Kirsty! Twice in one week is pretty good so far!

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  11. This is so pretty, Sarah! That print is ace and I have to say that poly doesn't always mean poor quality: I have a RTW top I love made put of poly and if I could find that same quality at the fabric store I would totally buy it. I'm sure this top will bring a smile to your face all winter long.

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    1. Thanks Andrea! It's been nice to wear so far but I could imagine in summer it could be a bit sticky!

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  12. I am so in love with this fabric, your use of it is fantastic. To make something so wearable out of something so gorgeous, is sometimes has to do. You nailed it :D I'm more than a little jealous this isn't in my wardrobe.

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    1. Thanks Natalie, such a lovely thing to say (btw it could be in your wardrobe, the fabric shop still has it in stock!)

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