Sewing all the tops...

So I've been sewing some tops. This Simplicity 8296 was one of the ones my friend brought back for me from the States. I also got the McCall's one but I like this flat front band and the McCalls is a different cut and not as wide around the hips where I need it.  This has a dart too and that's useful for me too.

The top is made from a remnant my friend gave me a few years ago. It's a lovely soft beautiful, good quality cotton. It was easy to sew and a it's lovely to wear. I've got my ordinary bra on with the straps on my arms. I couldn't be bothered to wear the strapless. I was just off to vote.  All I can think is I am wearing something that is actually in fashion... I always seem to be out of kilter.

This is the back view. I've always loved peasant tops/dresses. I think they are a snap to sew and easy to wear and flattering for a larger bust.  I think the bra is really letting me down. My only daily bra died after being washed and worn for a year... yes I know, disgusting however you don't know how many hours I have spent looking to buy another/more. Something that fits my very small under bust measurement for my large cup size. I'm into making up some at the moment but haven't got too far yet, but I will conquer it.

This lovely little top pattern I have made before in View A. View C is what I've made here below and I saw some in Gorman in a very similar front. I really like the back view. It's very easy.

I had my son take some photos and when he was taking this one he stopped and made sure the bottom of the top was sitting straight... isn't he sweet!  I thought I was really clever and cut a little curved wedge of the top corner of the top at the armscye to narrow it which did work a treat except that the front was so wide it puckers and is just too wide. That's ok as I was testing it in this really lovely rayon that come from my Mum's old stash, but unfortunately it has some stain marks (very few) and some holes so no harm done. Good enough for doing jobs in the garden and staying cool (ha ha..no jobs get done in the garden... but maybe in the holidays, it really needs it!).

You can see here how the front doesn't fit. I did use the bodice part of McCalls 7542 as it has the cup sizes so maybe that's why it's too big.. but I used that at the side seams to get a quick FBA of sorts. 

This next one was cut out of some material I got from an op shop which was a table cloth I think or something like that.. could have been a dress or skirt too. I liked the colours and seersucker is cool. Still too wide but this is more stable fabric and I don't mind it so much. If you notice there was two really large pockets so I used them on the front but it's not like I'm going to use them... like I need more bulk there. What was I thinking! Maybe I'll take them off?

The back has a little frill. This is more because I didn't have enough length. I thought it may look silly but I don't mind it. The pants I'm wearing are some RTW rayon twill that were reasonably priced at $20 and I've worn them a lot the last year.

This was a nice surprise in the mail this week too. The Family Ottobre. I am pleased with this as it has all the basics.. undies, singlet top, shirt, t-shirt, 2 styles of pants (chino and jeans), a sweatshirt, zip up hoodie and a dressing gown. My Burda patterns won't fit my son after this year so this will be my go to and I can add and remove different design elements for a range of size 46-60 European sizes (whatever that translates to).

I need to use my Ottobre magazines more.. I think I've only made 3 things and two I made ages ago and didn't blog. Next is the Simplicity off shoulder pattern in a dress to wear to my work Christmas party next Friday. Last Christmas my son gave me a Spotlight voucher and I bought some rayon that I loved and it will be made out of that. After that who knows. And of course there is Christmas coming too. What's on everyone's sewing table (or messy room as it is for me..LOL!).