New Look 6677 top in silk

Based on the amount of times I have worn this top already this summer I can say this might be my favorite sewing project of 2016. The combo of floaty silk top and cheerful print make it just right for any moment.



Yes, big smile for a simple silk top. You might recognize the fabric, when I made this silk blouse back in January I had just about 7/8 of a yard remaining which was just enough to make a top. And what a difference the season makes, that blouse photo was taken on a gloomy cloudy day. Although now we are entering into the crisp brown phase of our California summer so some rainclouds would actually be nice.

While the year is only half finished this pattern has become my go-to top pattern so expect a steady stream of variations. There is something about the simple placket that makes it just right in terms of proportion and usefulness on a variety of fabrics.



Not sure if it shows up in the photo but I did do the stitching on the placket, which adds a bit of visual interest close up.

For reference here is the pattern envelope. Ignoring that kind of ugly and very basic version that the model is wearing, I have only sewn the A-B-C versions, in fact only the sleeveless. But I expect the long sleeve version A will appear this winter. I think this pattern is a few years old and probably out of print.



front and back view on the dress form.
This is the same top as I made a couple of weeks ago for my friend Alice, in a royal blue eyelet. That version is a stunner. In fact I just bought some similar eyelet fabric for myself at Stone Mountain, in a pink-coral color so I need to sew that up pronto for summer wear as well.



Pattern modification: not really anything on this, I am using the basic size 12 pattern and didn't have to adjust anything. The one design change is to cut in the armholes - which someone asked about recently. Both the "why" and the "how much".

Here is the back view on me, to answer the why. If I sew the pattern as designed, which uses the same pattern piece for the sleeveless and sleeved version, then the end of the shoulder point is quite far out on my shoulder. I just don't think that is a flattering look - particularly if you are a small or narrow shouldered person. And I have mentioned before that I think tops/dresses with no adjustment for the sleeveless version just look clunky to my eye, the proportions are off. I typically raise the bottom of the armhole and then move in the outer shoulder point.



To answer the "how much" I just cut out the top as is, and then try it on and play around with the width of the shoulder, usually it is narrower by about 1 to 1.5 inches. Or just to where my strap hits. I want the straps to be covered but just at the point. Probably not an adjustment for everyone, some people like a bit of arm coverage whereas I would be happy going around all summer in halter tops although that is not very practical (or appropriate for most days)

Anyway - this is basically my summer uniform, my go-to, my fallback, whatever you want to call it. Knit or silk sleeveless top and a denim skirt with pockets. Skirt pictured is my trusty Vogue 1247 - the only pattern number I know by heart.  Which I have made 5 times I think, surely with more to come.

Oh yeah, big smile for comfy summer clothes and wearing sandals all the time! Bonus note - I got this silk fabric at a ASG stash sale - so investment is about $ 6. For two shirts. Score! Does the minimal investment increase my satisfaction? Always. What can I say, I love a bargain fabric find.




Up next, more tops, plus a pattern repeat Vogue Designer dress which snuck into my sewing production and proved again to be a winner. Plus some unselfish sewing and a Random Threads post in the works.

Happy Summer Sewing,
Beth

today's garden photo, Dahlias. Which are my favorite summer flower and I have successfully grown them but perhaps our climate/soil/precipitation is not exactly right for them so it is a bit hit or miss. But I keep trying and sometimes get a good result.