Saturday, August 24, 2013

Two Tops for Summer into Fall

Summer is winding down and my thoughts are turning toward fall sewing.  I am not ready to give up summer all together, after all it is still 90+ degrees here in Missouri but I am ready for sewing something different.  I spotted this fabric right when it was added, Mood Fabrics' Italian Teal and Black Lacy Brocade  I had to have it. It is so gorgeous and my thoughts were a simple Grainline Scout T-shirt, that way the fabric does all the talking.  Another plus was the fabric description from Mood's site, "Has a soft hand and graceful drape, almost like a knit but without the stretch".  That sealed it, Scout t-shirt for sure mood fabrics  lacy brocade




I used a piece of black knit for the neck binding and turned it to the wrong side of the shirt.  I liked this method, it eliminated the any bulk and the fact is just looks nice.
mood fabrics lacy brocade back
I did take in the sides a bit more on my shirt and I am quite happy with the results.  This top will be great with jackets and cardigans into the fall.
mood fabrics lacy brocade close details
I have just enough left (I hope) to pair it with a solid black for the fall trend of Luxe Sweatshirt 
One more top for my summer to fall look, Mood Fabrics' Black Bold Floral Silk Jersey .
 This was a change from my original plan, I was thinking a draped front sleeveless top but I started seeing  florals for falls and with the black in this fabric, I changed my mind, it is late August after all.   Megan Nielsen's Briar Tshirt for this fabric seemed like the perfect pattern.
mood fabrics floral knitRe
I only purchased a yard of this, so I had to do some creative sewing.  Using black knit from stash, I redrafted the back.  When I did cut out this back, I set it 1" off the center fold.  With these 2", I created a pleat in the center back.  My knit is a bit clingy and this pleat helps the fabric not stick to me!
mood fabrics floral back
I love how a plan comes together, this top is so much better than my original thought.  This will be a favorite, the silk jersey feels the best, drapes the best and this is just fun (the floral and high-low hem).
mood fabrics floral front
Now for a bit of comedy for the end of this post, from my photo shoot (me and the tripod) - it looks like a scene from an old western movie, I say, "Draw!"
draw
Who knows what I was doing but it is good for a laugh.








44 comments:

  1. Beautiful tops! The Scout is really well fitted and looks quite different from my crinkle cotton Scout. Love it :-)

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    1. Thank you, Mary, I really took in the side seams on the Scout to fit less boxy than my first one.

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  2. Drawing your needles and scissors, that is? Fastest sewing machine in the west!
    Gorgeous fabrics, I love what you did with them. The color blocking out of necessity turned out just perfectly, and I really like how the black portion of the second top drapes. I may have to add the idea, esp the added pleat, to my 'need to copy' file. Now, I'm off to check out that teal fabric..

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    1. LOL, you are so right, Andrea. I like your analogy! This is such wonderful fabrics. I made a white briar and Kaitlyn hated how it clung to my rear. She kept pulling at it and pulling it up. So I needed to change this up, no embarrassing teenagers!

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  3. These are great transitional pieces! I too like what you did with the color-blocking and pleating on the second shirt. I will have to file that away for future use.

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    1. Thanks, Angela, it was an easy fix to the cling!

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  4. I bought the same silk jersey from Mood with a gift certificate, and ended up ordering another yard as soon as i received it, when i realized how narrow it is. I'm still trying to decide which pattern to use, but this is very inspiring, it's really pretty on you.

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    1. Isn't it the pretties fabric and so soft? Have fun sewing your fabric. Thanks.

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  5. 2 beautiful tops!!! I was eye-ing that brocade when it first appeared on the site, but just wasn't sure. Where do you live? Because I have a feeling that breaking in and stealing your stash would work wonders for me! ;)

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    1. Thanks, Kristine. I don't think we live to close to each other, and you would be disappointed in my stash. I think there is about 7 pieces in it right now.

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  6. Both are really nice.

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  7. Love that second top. First one is pretty nice too.

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    1. Thanks, Vicki, the second one has lots of impact.

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  8. Two very pretty tops. Love the colors also.

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    1. Thanks, Donna, they are fun colors. Good for the last part of summer but great for fall.

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  9. I love both the tops. The color blocking on the second top is wonderful and the silk brocade is beautiful. Your changes really made it special!

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    1. Thank you, Pam. I am so happy with both tops.

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  10. I absolutely adore your black and floral blouse; just beautiful! Looks just fantastic with your jeans :)

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    1. Thank you, Carolyn, it turned out so much better than I thought, I will wear it so much.

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  11. Great tops making fabulous outfits with your jeans.

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    1. Thanks, Bunny, jeans is a requirement for my job, so I am always happy to dress them up a bit.

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  12. Love the teal t-shirt such a pretty color and great for Fall.

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    1. Thank you, Joen, I love aqua for summer and teal for fall/winter.

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  13. The teal brocade is gorgeous! The Scout Tee is such a versatile pattern, but I hadn't thought to use a dressy fabric with it. The Briar is my favorite Tee Shirt pattern and I love everything you did with it! The colorblocking looks great and I have to borrow the pleat idea. Two beautiful tops!

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    1. Thank you, Shar, they are two of my favorite patterns. I would have to add the Renfrew, too.

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  14. I love both of these tops. I keep looking at MN patterns, particularly this one. I am going to give this one a try. Lovely fabrics from MOOD.

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    1. Thanks, Linda, I enjoyed making all the MN patterns.

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  15. I'm unfamiliar with the terms "Grainline" and "Scout." Are those patterns?

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    1. It is the Grainline pattern line and the Scout is one of the patterns in the Grainline set

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  16. Now that you MADE me buy the brocade, do you have any pretreating and cleaning advice? I love both of your tops!

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    1. I always like making people buy things! :). I washed the yardage in cold water and hung it to dry

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  17. I wasn't sure how you could top the first one but the second one was fab also! Great job.

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    1. Thank you, Lisa, I am thrilled with both tops but the second is probably my favorite.

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  18. Both tops are lovely. Any problems getting the woven top on since it doesn't stretch?
    I also live in MO. What is your hometown?

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    1. Thanks, no problem with the woven, the Scout pattern is designed for a woven. I just baste my side seams to make sure I can get it on! I live in the middle of the state. Email me (info at top) and I will be more specific.

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  19. I LOVE both! That second top is awesome, Lori..I would totally wear that. LOVE the floral! Dang, now I have to get ANOTHER pdf pattern!

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    1. Oh, you know you love the pdf's! Thanks, both are fun tops.

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  20. Love both of your tops!

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  21. Yes! Yes! Both tops are lovely! Any description that has the word "Italian" in it is hard to pass up. Love how you showcased that fabric with such a simple design and the floral top...so chic!

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    1. You are right "Italian" should be a key search function! Thanks so much.

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  22. Love the lace Scout! Check out this $118 top from the Sundance catalog and have a chuckle :-)

    http://www.sundancecatalog.com/product/pure+poetry+blouse.do?sortby=ourPicks

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    1. Oh, thanks so much for the link. I loved seeing the top.

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