I made a couple of sporty-looking tops!
First up is the blue version: blue merino with cream and orange merino bands on the front. This lot of concrete and tiles are in an alley opening near my office...
I really like this mixture of sporty / casual, matte fabric with a work / evening, shiny fabric :) - whether or not it's office appropriate is another question.
Incidentally, this is exactly the same fabric as used for my son's skiing layer top, and it's not itchy.
And then there was this orange and cream merino version, easier to make with a vertical band, but made in more of a rush and super late at night so that the hem and top stitching are a bit disappointing (WARNING: No top stitching after midnight!). This time the concrete and tiles belong to the Sydney Opera House.
Two coordinating tops, just in case I discover a long lost twin or something crazy like that. I can't really wear them together!
Both tops were made using Burda 02/2011, pattern #106, in a more fitted size than I usually wear (ie one size down). I sewed separate bands around the wrists and neckline for the blue version, but the orange version just uses foldover + twin needle stitched hems. Both were stabilised with clear elastic at the neckline and shoulder seams, and the wrists on the blue version also got clear elastic. The bands definitely look neater than the foldover style of hems, and the elastic in the wrists of the blue top seem to be working really well in preventing the opening from flaring out.
Back in May when I sewed these tops there was lots of subliminal sport floating around. Mr UpSewLate was watching the Giro d'Italia late at night. My kids were watching and dancing along with Lazytown. I became obsessed with the idea of tight long sleeved tops with wide contrast bands - and it didn't click that I'd been influenced till Maria asked!
photos from here and here
I'm currently finishing a cute little summery jacket and am contemplating a silky summer dress to go with it. My house is FREEZING cold though, and my hands feel like icicles; I don't know why I'm making summer clothes - I should be making mittens! Brrr
see you soon
Gabrielle x
Great tops Gabrielle! I thought that I recognized them from MMM or maybe your Flickr page?? We find inspiration from so many sources don't we!
ReplyDeleteThanks Margo - yes, I wore these in MMM but hadn't gotten around to blogging them! I am always running behind...
DeleteI love these 'sporty' tops mixed in with your work clothes. The blue one is especially chic and very giro d'italie ;0
ReplyDeleteThanks Kirsty; I think I prefer the blue one too.
DeleteGreat tops and love the use of the colours and the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sharon, but I should have mentioned that YOU took the photos with the orange top! Thank you again :)
DeleteExcellent sporty tops. They do have a slight cycling vibe, but suitably subtle for non exercise wear.
ReplyDeleteI recommend wristwarmers (with thumb holes) made from your left over merino bits, as an excellent winter sewing tool and 30sec one seam project ;).
Thank you! I don't do nearly enough exercise, but by wearing sporty looking clothes I may fool some :). Wristwarmers - they sound very useful, and I have ended up with lots of merino scraps!
DeleteYour tops are such classics. And I'm talking about stylish classics with a giro influence. you know I love cycling.
ReplyDeleteI'd pay a lot for these tops too. They're uber cool.
Thanks Maria, you're too kind! I can definitely see you wearing a real giro top :).
DeleteThese are sporty tops - very nice though - I like the top one which is smart. A lot of work places are casual now, so these tops would probably work.
ReplyDeleteThanks, it's an illusion of sportiness :). My team has been moved away from HQ, so I've taken that to mean we can now dress more casually...
DeleteLove these - quirky and fun. Particularly love the first one - the blue is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lizzy!
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