Finished - But I Don't Wear White top

I don't really don't shop for clothes anymore (just shoes!), and so most of my inspiration comes from sewing blogs, the fabric itself or people I see on the street. But I'm still subscribed to a lot of mailing lists from clothing stores I used to shop at, and every now and then I'll have a peek at what's new and shiny in the fashion world.

One of my favourite Australian brands was/is Metalicus - they've built their brand on a range of mostly one-size-fits-all super stretchy but chic pieces, often in gorgeous knit fabrics and trimmed with beautiful laces and silk. 

When I saw the Sabrina top late last year I loved the boxy, slightly cropped shape, and the gorgeous lace trim but not the $130 price tag so I immediately started scheming how to make my own version. Trims are not something I tend to take particular notice of, but at Darn Cheap Fabrics their racks are heaving with amazing fripperies, so I knew I'd find something close to what I was after there. Of course most of the laces were white, and despite really not wearing much white (a conscious choice due to the combination of being incredibly pale of skin and clumsy around red foodstuffs) I didn't have an awful lot of choice in my colour scheme.


I had a couple of metres of white linen in my stash, also from Darn Cheap, coated very subtly in gold which gives it a gorgeous ethereal shimmer. And I was pretty certain my favourite New Look 6808/Laurel mash up would give me the look I was after with a few minor tweaks....

There's not a huge amount to say - I widened the sleeves slightly, cropped them at a similar point to the inspiration top, top stitched the lace over the hemmed sleeves and hemmed the whole thing a little shorter than normal.


I couldn't go much shorter - I don't have that many high-waisted bottoms in my wardrobe and there was way too much muffin top being flashed when I pinned it shorter. I used a facing on the neckline that I narrowed to about 3/4 inch and I really like the look - it's like using a slightly wider bias binding but far less faffing about.






I think the lace is really pretty. The darts aren't my best work - after a couple of beers my beloved and his mates took great delight at pointing out to me that my 'headlights' appear to be shining in opposite directions (bastardos!). So that needs to be addressed next time I've got white thread in the machine.


But still I do really like this top - it's so fresh and summery. I hope I keep it clean...

Oh yeah - I've had a hair cut! Not the best pics as it was windy but I'm loving it - shortest I've had it in nearly 10 years!



Comments

  1. This is so lovely! Such a great shape, and pretty with that lace. Apart from the hanger photo, it's hard to see the shimmer in the photos, but having had some of this linen before, I know how lovely it looks in real life. In my experience, the metallic coating slowly washes off over time ( if you wash in regular wash as I do!) or it is gone instantly if you let it get anywhere near Napisan! The white is lovely, but if you ever lose the shimmer or get sick of white (or stain it!) I'd do a dye job on it!

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    1. Thanks Debbie - it was definitely inspired a little by your great cropped boxy tops! I don't doubt the shimmer will be short lived, but fingers crossed with gentle inside out washing it will last a while!

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  2. This is a great top!! I think it looks fabulous on you!I rarely ever wear white cause I'm endlessly dribbling coffee or tea down the front. Ha ha! ;)

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    1. Thanks Heather! For me it's red wine or chocolate. But I was brave the other night and wore it out for Indian - risky!

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  3. Oooh really nice! Love the lace-y sleeves! I also always seem to spill things on white :)

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    1. Thanks Ruth - I'm always impressed by those that keep their whites pristine!

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  4. Chic and simple, I like it! And another modern way to use lace :)

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  5. Cute! I really like the cropped boxy shape.

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  6. Oh, Sarah, I love this top so very much. It looks great on you and the details are sime and elegant and perfection all around. From where I sit I can't see the issue with the darts at all. It just looks perfect.

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    1. Thanks so much Andrea! That's very sweet of you. I just need to make the tips slightly less..... Prominent! I chose my pics rather carefully....

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  7. I ADORE your new haircut!!!! I can't tell you how much I love it... oh maybe I just did. But in case you didn't catch it, I ADORE your new haircut. I love your top just as much by the way. I hear you on the white front, but in this shape and fabric it just altogether works. And that sheeny finish is beautiful. Bastardo boys. I'll come give them a slap for you

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    1. Thanks lovely! It's very liberating, all that long hair was dragging me down. And the shedding - Cripes even the cat was sick of it. I knew you'd love the white after your lovely Japanese top!

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  8. It's beautiful! White linen + lace is the ultimate combination for summer. I have trouble wearing white myself though I find it very attractive on others :)

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    1. Thanks Sara - we've similar colouring so I do understand!

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    2. I'm the same with white with my skin tone too - but this top looks amazing.
      Your new haircut is tres chic too!

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    3. Thanks Caroline! As my mum says, gotta wear plenty of red lippy with it!

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  9. It's just lovely! I like yours even more than the inspiration top; that shimmer really elevates it to something special. And your hair looks gorgeous! (For what it's worth, I can't see any dart problem...maybe the key phrase is "after a few beers"... ;) )

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    1. Thanks Danielle - yeah they thought they were hilarious! I did choose my pics carefully!

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  10. Oooh, I love this top! I wish I had one just like it! Nice new hairdo too!

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    1. Thanks Gail - it was so easy! Definitely a nice one for summer.

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  11. I sincerely prefer yours … definitely has a more natural chic vibe and I love it! … the hair too :)

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  12. What a beautiful top. I'm going to try and remember this one when it comes time to make warmer weather tops here.

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    1. Thanks Sam - it's never too early to start planning summer sewing!

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  13. It's perfect - the fabric, the length, the lace, the white...

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  14. Very chic, sometimes simple is best! I hope the shimmer doesn't wear off too quickly!

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    1. Thanks Tamsin - hopefully it won't. I have to be pretty careful I think - definitely no ironing on the shiny side!

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  15. Gorgeous! I love it, especially that you found an appropriate trim. That is the hardest thing for me when I have an inspiration photo that I want to copy, finding the right materials! good job.

    Love the hair too.

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    1. Thanks Jo! You're right - it can be so hard to find just the right bits and pieces - I was lucky!

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  16. What a beautiful blouse. Great shape and the lace is fabulous.

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    1. Thanks Louise! I love the lace too - surprising as I'm not normally a lace kind of girl!

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  17. Wow this is lovely and that lace is amazing!

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  18. Totally love the new hair!!!!! I've really been thinking about doing a bob for ages, I even created a pinterest board for inspiration. My favourite thing about this gorgeous top is the depth of the back closure seam, it's looks so sexy.

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    1. Thanks Amy - I'm loving the new hair change.... Except for when swimming at the beach, then it's a mess.... But you can't have it all! I like the back closure too, just made sure it wasn't below bra strap!

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  19. Beautiful! Both your new top and your new haircut :)

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  20. hair + white top combo = fabulous!

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    1. Thanks Carolyn - I could definitely see you in a top like this!

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  22. I can't believe I haven't commented on this yet! I really love it. I hope you are getting loads of wear out of it!

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    1. Thanks Kirsty - I thought it'd be up your alley!

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  23. As everyone else has said, it's absolutely gorgeous!

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  24. Cute top. I really like the tops titching on the neckline facing. Ooo and I really like the sheen on the fabric.
    This will be such a versatile top.

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    1. Thanks so much Vanessa! Thanks for coming by!

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