Blocked Silk and Jersey

The other day when I walked through the turnstiles into work I saw a woman ahead of me wearing a striking little blue top with her boring black business skirt. The top had cute short sleeves, the sort that look most fabulous on young arms, but the thing that most intrigued me was the way the top was blocked with two different fabric types - a more solid fabric on the upper part of the bodice (and sleeves), and a more lightweight, drapey fabric in a similar colour on the lower part of the bodice. It was so intriguing that I hustled over quickly and then walked just behind her all the way to the lifts so I could get a good look at it. Bad manners! Anyway, I came home inspired... and that's all that matters! (No, just kidding, and I hope I wasn't making that poor woman feel harrassed.)

Putting that inspiration together with what was in my stash and also with some more net-a-porter ideas (see below) I decided to whip up another version of the silk satin polka dot top in a combination of something ancient that I hope is silk plus a cosy sort of jersey.

Nice job of posing by the hedge...

Posture!  Don't tip over!

The (possible) silk was only just enough for the top 1/3 of the top, only as far down as the armhole band (which is sewn on the inside of the top).  I had such a small amount of this, and not even cut with parallel edges grrrr. Don't you hate that?

For the bottom 2/3 of the top I used some jersey that's a lovely colour and drape, and that coordinates really well, but that looks like it will pill in an instant - if I could only recall whether it was from Lincraft or Tessuti I'd be able to make a better prediction! I still have so much more of this jersey fabric that I'm  considering extending the top into a dress :-). I'm thinking of an elastic casing at the waist and a gathered rectangular jersey skirt (well this Tracy Reese pattern is the one that sprang to mind). If I were to do this I'd have to sew a slip though as the jersey is quite light and a tad transparent. 

The silk and jersey played together very nicely despite their different characteristics

 

Do you think this looks like silk?

I'm reasonably satisfied with this top - it came together as I thought it would - but it's not at all the same as my original inspiration top. Stylistically I think the change in fabrics should be happening higher up the bodice, but I hadn't wanted the little sleeves to be two toned. So perhaps I should have though this through and made narrower sleeves. Oh well - you live and learn!

I'll leave you with a couple of the professionally colour blocked tops:

Camilla and Marc via net-a-porter

Gucci via net-a-porter

and if you like the top on the right, make sure you check out Audrey's summery Creamsicle colour blocked top. 

Finally - don't forget, I've got a pattern giveaway on at the moment - please do enter if your pattern stash isn't too full! Entries close around this time on Tuesday night (ie 48 hours away).

Pink Silk Polka Dot Top (+ Giveaway Reminder)

Recently I've been noticing a lot of sweet little blocky tops with rounded necklines and short kimono style sleeves. They look so wearable. I WANTED ONE!

Here are some upmarket examples:

Exhibit 1 by Day Birger et Mikkelsen

Exhibit 2 by Thakoon

That shape just looks so simple to make! 

So here's what I made - as it looks in daylight - same kind of shape, right?

There's a bit of puckering in the top stitching around the neckband - my tension was just a little off.

I used view A from this little specimen from the Butterick Classic era. You could draft something yourself though - it really is a basic shape.

My neckline is more rounded and a bit lower than my inspiration tops, but I'm happy with the way it looks.

* these photos taken inside in the evening with not enough light and accordingly lightened in Picasa

I need to work on smiling for the camera

 

and on looking AT the camera!

No circus tricks were required to make this top

My son says if you don't know about smiling for the camera, chop your head off

Steeling myself to do a better job with the ironing - maybe tomorrow

Giveaway Reminder

I had a problem with blogger last week and my award / giveaway post didn't seem to make it through most of the usual channels. So in case you didn't see my post last Tuesday, I'm running a giveaway - with the chance to win 3 patterns of your choice from a selection of new and old Vogue, Butterick and Simplicity patterns. Entries close next Tuesday, and at the time of writing there is just 1 entry - the odds are looking fantastic!