Thursday, November 07, 2013

Simplicity 1886 - Transformed


Along with my Pinterest boards, I have been tearing out pages from InStyle Magazine and one of the garments I wanted to re-create was Bailey 44 - Polyurethane top. (link and picture from InStyle Magazine)

Isn't it fabulous?  I wanted something like that but not from polyurethane, so I went with ponte from Joann's.  Two pieces are just okay fabrics but the gray ponte is fabulous!  Okay, enough abou the fabric.  Here is how I went about the top.

Simplicity 1886 with pieced ponte front similar to Bailey 44 top


I scoured my patterns and I really didn't have a knit tank pattern, can you believe that?  Time to start back with the pattern sales.  I selected Simplicity 1886


First thing I did was tape out the dart and then I traced the pattern out full size on medical exam paper.

Then I cut each of my three fabrics - cream, black and gray in 3-1/2" strips width of fabric.
I pieced these with my serger in the order which corresponded to my inspiration piece (cream-gray-black).

Lightened photo so you can see stripes and colors better.

I did nine strips total (I believe) and pressed these to one side, making sure none of them seams went toward the cream.  I had black thread and the cream was thin, I didn't want the thread to show through.

Next up the pattern tracing.  I drew lines to re-create the Bailey 44 top and cut the tracing on these lines (highlighted in yellow)

I added 1/4" seam allowance on the highlighted cut edges and then pieced the front.  The back is from the gray ponte.

Girls in the Garden - Simplicity 1886 top with pieced ponte front similar to a Bailey 44 top f

I did taper the side seams on this top since the original pattern was for a woven.  The neck binding is the black ponte, and a wrapped it around the seam allowance for a bit of contrast against the cream ponte in the front.  Now the armholes are bound with the black ponte but I wrapped it totally to the inside.

My neckline was a bit off and I tapered the middle cream one just a bit to shape the neckline back into a correct curve.


This will be a versatile top, I can wear it with "attitude" with my moto jacket.
Girls in the Garden Simplicity 1886 ponte top with pieced front.

or it goes with the red sweater from above.
Now a couple of out-takes from the photo shoot

I am getting Junior to sit before the self-timer goes off (it went off obviously)

And now look how bored he looks while he is sitting and waiting on me to finish!

He was rewarded for his good work, he loves to go on a walk and we went on a 3 mile walk.  He pulled me most of the way!

This top was so quick to make but I think it has great impact.  I look forward to wearing it.

 

63 comments:

  1. I really like this. Yours is such a lovely version. I definitely think ponte is much better to wear than polyurethane. :) You always make such fabulous pieces- whether for yourself or your grandson.

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    1. Thanks so much, I cannot imagine wearing polyurethane outfit. I really appreciate your kind comments. Probably ought to sew something for the grandson, haven't done that for awhile.

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  2. Great top, well done. And a 3 mile walk - that is keen!

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    1. Thanks, Vicki, I try to go a walk about 4-5 times a week.

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  3. It looks great. No ripples where your materials are pieced. Way to go.

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    1. Thanks, so much, I love my serger, it is the best for no ripples.

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  4. It looks great. No ripples where your materials are pieced. Way to go.

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  5. Looks great, Lori!

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  6. Love it and way more wearable than that sticky poly urethane. They finish floors with that stuff!

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    1. Thanks, Bunny, LOL, you are so right, that is floor finish.

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  7. Fun and very wearable top as opposed to the polyurethane one you copied. That stuff is kind of hard to wear. As a bonus, now you also have a good knit tank top pattern that fits well.

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    1. Thanks, Andrea, I will wear this so much .

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  8. Some of the polyurethane clothing is interesting, but I can't figure out how you could wear it or wash it. Your version looks cool but remains practical, even for 3 mile walks:)

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    1. Thanks, Angela, I don't know how you would wear it either. I think it would be hot. Oh, I changed clothes before the walk!

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  9. Lori - this looks great! I recently picked up gray and cream ponte at JoAnn's too, but I'm not making anything nearly so fabulous. I'm currently sewing the cream into a Briar top. Definitely wear it with attitude! I love the last pic with Junior. You can see him thinking 'mom, hurry up so we can get to the fun stuff'.

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    1. Thanks, Shar, I love the Briar top, it will look fantastic in cream. He is a funny dog.

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  10. That is an awesome top! Another creative creation!

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  11. Oh, I love this top! You did an amazing job.

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    1. Thank you AnaJan, I am so happy with the results.

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  12. Very creative, fabulous job, I love it!

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    1. Thank you, Ann, I sure do like the way it turned out.

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  13. Oh I love it Lori!!!!

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  14. P.S. I hope in the future you have time to resume your podcast, I sure miss listening to them.

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    1. Maybe at the first of the year, I have been talking with someone about doing one together.

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  15. Anonymous8:57 AM

    This is so cool! I love it!

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  16. Fabulous! And I love how you styled it!

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    1. Thanks, Clio, I think it will be a very versatile piece.

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  17. Wow! That's great! Thanks for the details.

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  18. That is a fantastic top, and great job on using that inspiration piece! I wouldn't have made it out of poly, either. I don't think that would be very comfortable to wear, so ponte knit is a great alternative. I have a bunch of stuff on Pinterest that I want to make. The fabric mill near my work is closing down :( so I have been buying their apparel fabric like crazy. My hubby figured this would be an expensive month LOL!

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    1. Stacy, isn't Pinterest the best place for inspiration. I have so many things pinned from fashion to diy to holiday ideas. That is to bad about the closing of the mill, you DO have to stock up.

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  19. That is a beautiful and much more wearable adaptation of your inspiration. I want to copy it! I have one question: Why did you eliminate the dart? I need a dart in everything, and I wonder how I could make this look as good as yours.

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    1. Becky, I eliminated the dart since I was using a knit, didn't feel I would need the dart. And I didn't want the dart to interrupt the flow of the pieced design.
      would this work for you on knits
      http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.com/2001/03/alterations-cheater-fba.html

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  20. Love, love it. You nailed it, girl!

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  21. Very nice! You have such great skills!! I was wondering how you stay in shape? I guess since you got the dog, it is walking him! :) thanks for sharing~

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    1. Thanks, Steph, I appreciate it. Staying in shape. I have always walked for about 6 years now. 2 miles about 4-6 days a week. This summer a bike and now the dog, he likes to walk farther and pulls me the entire way!

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  22. Love the top! I have that pattern but never thought of piecing it like that. Really cool!

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    1. Thanks, Pam, it was fun to do.

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  23. Not only is the inspiration piece fabulous...your creation is just as fabulous! Your effort paid off in a big way! Love it!

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    1. Thank you, it was fun and quick but the impact is great.

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  24. WOW! What a great top. Very clever construction!

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    1. Thanks, Kyle, it was fun to think outside the box!

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  25. Well executed! It's always so exciting to be able to see an inspiration piece and recreate it! I have no doubt that the ponte will be much more comfortable for you to wear than the polyurethane too!

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    1. Thanks so much, I am with you, love to see inspiration photos on a blog and how they interpreted them to their wearing needs.

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  26. I am so in love with the top you made and it looks fabulous on you. You did an awesome job on it.

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    1. Thank you so much, Andrea, I am in love with it, too.

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  27. I think your version is better than what you pinned!! Great top and so versatile. I like your styling!!

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    1. Thanks, Dharma, I will wear and wear this top.

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  28. What an amazing transformation........ my head is spinning from this one, Lori!

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    1. Thank you, Sarah, it looks harder than it was! LOL

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  29. Wow! impressive top!

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  30. Love the top... and love Junior just as much! I have two yellow Labs, and it was really fun to see him in your pics.

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    1. Thanks, Christina, Junior is a great dog.

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  31. Love this top!! I want one!!

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    1. Thanks, Amy, it is a fun top.

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