Little Black Top - Sagebrush Top

The Sagebrush Top by Friday Pattern Company scored a place in my Make Nine this year in my quest to make myself a new black top that wasn't going to be boring.  I feel like I've ended up with the perfect cobination.

The fabric is this Swiss Dot Cotton from Blackbird Fabrics. I purchased this in their Black Friday Sale and the discount pretty much ended up covering the shipping cost. It's been a few years since I purchased from Blackbird but I'm pleased that the quailty is still as good as ever.

The ruffle along the front yoke of the top adds a beautiful detail, and in conjunction with the sleeves creates a modern classic silhouette. I'm convinced this top will get plenty of wear. It's classic but still so much fun.

 I did make a couple of changes to this pattern.  I lined the back yoke pieces so that there wasn't a need for visible stitching on the back, I also used premade bias tape for the neckline and ties. This was the right choice as I think the texture of the Swiss Dot would have caused more problems than it would have been worth. Next time I think I'd end up lining the front yoke too, to enclose the seam with the gathering as I think it would really elevate the finish.

Helen's Closet Gilbert Top

I think there is something really classic about a white button up shirt. I made one a few years ago, however was chasing a replacement in my wardrobe.  I knew I didn't want a plain shirt, my previous shirt was a Cheyenne/Lucerne Mash up (both by Hey June) featuring the fabulous tie sleeves of the Lucerne. However, for some reason the Helen's Closet Gilbert Shirt wasn't top of my list when looking for replacements.

That was until I checked the fabric requirements.  I'd managed to score 1.4m of white cotton crepe as a remnant from The Fabric Store during a visit and hoped I'd be able to squeeze a sleeved top out of it. The Gilbert Top View A (short sleeves and tie front) has a maximum fabric requirement of 2.3m for 115cm wide fabric, as I had 150cm fabric I was able to play a bit of pattern tertis and get it out of what I had. Though there wasn't much room for error!

I'm really happy with the fit of this one - the only adjustment I made being a full bicep adjustment.  The sleeves still feel a little snug, I think I shouldn't have raised the sleeve cap as much as I did in the end. However it won't stop me wearing it.

 I think this is the perfect shirt which can either be dressed up or dressed down depending on the occasion.  I know I will get plenty of wear out of this in the future.

A Shameless Copy - Miss Ruby Tuesday by 1 Puddle Lane

I'm not going to lie when I say this make is a shameless copy and my friend, Beth, and I will now need to coordinate outfits to make sure we don't match.  She posted this Hope in Black Double Brushed Polyester from Lush Fabrics in her feed and I knew I had to have it.  If iI remember correctly I snagged one of the last bits they had in stock at the time.

 

Beth had made a Miss Ruby Tuesday Dress by 1 Puddle Lane from her fabric and I loved the shape of the bodice.  I'm not much of a dress wearer though, but as a sucker for a good peplum I knew that was just what I needed to make from this fabric.

 

I used the boat neck and scoop back for my top.  The beauty of the MRT pattern is the sheer number of views which are included and the ability to mix and match them to create so many different garments from one pattern. Talk about value for money.

One think worth noting is that it is drafted for quite a short height.  I had to add two inches of length. I initially added 2.5 inches which was too much and then I promptly reduced it back to 2 inches.  Being a knit pattern it was a quick sew and something which is often pulled out of my wardrobe when I need something a bit dressier than a tshirt.

Handmade Tuesday #4 - Dandelion Pyjamas

Another Tuesday, another dodgy mirror selfie.  I'll get better photos one day I promise.

This week I'm wearing my favourite pyjamas.  The top is a Colette Sorbetto (Free downloadable pattern) and the pants are a Simplicity PJ pattern (I can't remember the number, though I think they are all the same.

 

 

The pants are a dandelion (I LOVE Dandelions!) print from Spotlight and the top is a rayon from Spotlight with bias binding made from the pants fabric.

 

They are incredibly comfy and I will admit to wearing them a bit too often!

 

Emma :)