14 May 2012 - cheap cheap cheep top

Yesterday, I went out to buy some more interfacing to use for tracing patterns. Given the only success I ever seem to have comes through using Japanese pattern books, tracing paper is an essential part of my tool kit and about 18 months ago, I bought a huge roll of some fantastic stuff which I was hoping to find again.  Unfortunately, they no longer sell it, so was stuck buying packets of 5 metre medium weight interfacing. While out and about, I also had a bit of a browse and came across this cute bird dodgy polyester (chiffony) fabric.  At $9.95 a metre, who was I to say no to it and immediately raced home, tracing paper in hand, ready for a quick bit of afternoon sewing to compensate for the disaster from yesterday.

I used pattern F from A Stylish Dress Book, but shortened it into a top (so probably pattern P) with only 2 rows of shirring rather than the 3 and 1 row of shirring on the sleeves.  I've made a lot of Japanese pattern clothes before, but this was the first time I failed to locate the sleeves on the pattern sheet!!  I even asked Ben to try and help me but not even he could find the sleeves, so I found some lines that I thought might work and traced them out and cut the fabric.  This material was slippery to cut, and today, of course, the cutting of my 'could be' sleeves was also a litte bit off... so it's no surprise that when it came to matching seams and sewing it all up nothing really went together.  After yesterday's defeat I wasn't giving in so quickly.... so, after quite a bit of messing around (and swear words) with the sleeves, I made them fit.  They are not as 'flouncy' as they probably should be and while my rolled hem is not nearly as neat as it should be, for a $10 top it is ok and I'm not ashamed enough not to wear it.   In fact this morning, I have had quite a few compliments on it!