Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Simplicity 3893 - Yellow butterfly tunic

I made this a few months ago, so some of you might be thinking hmmm... seen this one before. I saw this fabric and had to have some. I love butterflies, but find most butterfly fabric too over-the-top or too cutesy or too something. And I love yellow. Also, while I always find shears that I like at the store, I can't seem to find many patterns that will look good made in a shear, because the facings show through.

I am not a fan of most maternity-looking tops in fashion right now. This gal likes a defined waist! But as it has elastic around the rib cage, and the fabric is see-through, I thought it might look okay. I was just glancing at the back of the pattern and realized for the first time this is suppose to be made in a knit. Oops! Oh well, it fits.




Here is a close up of the edging detail at the hem. This is also along the front neckline and around the sleeves.


And here in what the back looks like from the inside. Instead of a facing, that pattern called for bias tape. I also used french seems for the back and sides, which I think gives a very neat finish.

Oh, and I've got on a beige spaghetti-strap shirt underneath. Even if it wasn't shear, the neckline is VERY low. The tucking details took some time, but I'm happy with it. What do you think?

4 comments:

  1. you are just too amazing! looks great.

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  2. I'm sewing the exact same top at the moment, but really struggling with it.. i found the sleeve cuffs and band around the hem at the bottom were too short for the bit they're suppose to fit around, and the instructions were a nightmare.. i mean, i'm not exactly a newcomer to sewing (not an expert, sort of middle of the range) but i couldn't make head or tail of the sleeve cuff instructions.. fortunately i managed to figure it out.

    any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated!!! thanks!!

    keth
    xx

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  3. Kethry,
    I didn't have any trouble with the width of the bands. I didn't use knit, though. (I actually didn't read that it called for a knit until it was already sewn up). Do you think maybe your tunic fabric is stretchier then your band fabric? I can totally see how this would be tricky with knits. Sorry I'm not very helpful.

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  4. no i used cotton for both the main fabric and the band.. I think i understand the problem i had now.. the way that simplicity wanted you to put the bands on didn't make sense to me (to have a full amount of main material inside the cuffs, rather than just attaching it to the edge, which seems very strange to me). I finally got it finished last night, there's a photo on my blog if you want to see.

    thanks for letting me know anyway. By the way, although i found you because i was looking for feedback on this pattern, do keep blogging, please, because i've enjoyed reading about the clothes you make - its inspirational!

    keth
    xx

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