Monday, May 23, 2011

Butterick 5562 - Taupe floral knit top w/ gathered sleeves

Wow! It has been three weeks since I've posted anything. I wish I had something really special to show you, but unfortunately I've not had the best luck lately. The dress I was making for the Celtic Women concert had some problems and I ended up wearing this dress instead. Then I thought I could whip out a little little refashion of a RTW skirt that was too tight in the waist, but botched that as well. I finally got some pictures of this top I finished a week or so ago. The first photo shoot was yesterday but I realized I had red lipstick on my teeth so had to retake them. Whew! Anyway, here's the pattern picture. I have made this design before using a different view.

I made this top because I was sad about first the dress and then the skirt not working out, and I wanted to have something new to wear to church last Sunday. It was to match this skirt, but as is fairly often the case with sewing, I did not like the them paired together after the top was completed. Actually, this outfit looks more fall then summer to me. At least it turned out and didn't become another failure.

This fabric is a thin polyester floral purchased from JoAnn's a few months ago. I liked the pop of blue leaves amongst the gray and have also recently discovered that I can wear brown toned tans.

The sleeve treatment is what makes this top special. I made an small through the shoulders, graded in to the XS through the torso and out to the medium at the hips. But see on the side view how the neckline is drooping out? This SO bothers me. I really need to figure out how to finish a neckline with clear elastic. Next time I will make the XS all over and take out a bit at the center front fold during cut out as it is very wide at the shoulders too.

I used the bias tape finish for the neckline and even went back to cinch it in more in order to eliminate the drooping. Didn't work, though.

I didn't get a picture of it but I used clear elastic and a zig-zag stitch to make the sleeve gathers. The hems were done with a twin needle and walking foot. Oh, and I used french seams for all seams except the sleeve/armhole.

I do like the pattern and want to remake it using a solid color. I may even make the long sleeve version for winter.

27 comments:

  1. Very pretty top, it is one of my favorite patterns. I need to make another one.

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  2. Very pretty! The gathered sleeves are a nice touch. I hope you soon figure out how to do the neckline to your satisfaction.
    (And I can't spell, apparently.)

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  3. Such a pretty top! The gathered sleeves definitely kick it up a notch. :]

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  4. The colors looks well on you! :)

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  5. I do like those sleeves and you make them sound easy to do.

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  6. Nicely done and the print is amazing.

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  7. I love that pop of blue on you too! Lovely top. I did a little window shopping today...I reckon that top would cost $100 to buy in the shops I was in today.

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  8. Great minds think alike. I made this top on Friday and plan to takes pictures tomorrow at work when I wear it.

    I made mine in solid black, but plan on trying it again with a printed fabric. Your fabric choice is divine.

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  9. Looks very classy. I bet if you cut the neckline a little deeper it would eliminate the droop.

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  10. This is a fabulous top in a wonderful print. Knits can be soooooo difficult to work with - different fabrics behave quite differently and some of them seem to stretch and droop in a very annoying manner. That said, I really don't think that the droop on your neckline is something that would be perceived as a fault by anyone. Your sleeves look perfect and, of course, it is the sleeves that turn this t-shirt into a real showstopper!
    Oh, and my new Burda magazine has just dropped through the letter box - I am looking forward to seeing your picks for this month!

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  11. I think you would be happier if you used a strip of knit on your knit tops to finish in lieu of the bias tape. When you use knit you stretch the strip a little as you apply it to neckline and it will make the neckline lay flatter and pull in the neckline some. Try it on some scraps and see what you think.

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  12. I love your version of this top. I loved the print you used---the gray with pops of blue is really stunning. I've made this (long sleeve one) in a solid color, but I love your version!

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  13. Super cute!!! I have that pattern just waiting to cut out. I need to make that.....

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  14. I love your top! Sorry the other items didn't work out, but at least your top is lovely!

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  15. What a beautiful print on you. I love those sleeves!

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  16. Very nice top! I don't know what to say about the neckline - other than Drape! It's a feature, not a flaw! :) I never would have noticed it if you hadn't pointed it out. I'm sorry that you had some other wadders, but at the same time, I'm glad that you share about them because it's reassuring to hear someone with your tremendous skill still has a loser once in a while.

    Can I comment about something else that's totally random? I had my babies just a few months before you had your daughter. I lost a ton of hair postpartum, and now it's all growing back in. I usually style my hair just like you did in this shoot (pulled straight back in a ponytail), but I have a veritable lion's mane of spiky, short hair pointing in all directions. Your hair looks so smooth! Do you use some awesome hair product, or did your hair not all fall out like mine did?

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  17. this top is so nice because it can be styled so many ways and the fabric choice gives it an entirely new look. I agree with BConky, try to use a self fabric instead of bias tape on knits. You might like it.

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  18. Sweet! The sleeves are awesome!

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  19. oh my goodness, I love it, I love it! I must have this pattern. And this fabric.
    I love it!

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  20. Sorry about your sewing mishaps. I guess it happens to the best of us :)

    I've made this shirt, too and didn't like the neckline finish, either. I love your ideas about finishing it though, I'll have to try that next time! The shirt looks great on yo and the fabric is really cheery.

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  21. What a pretty top on you, it will be very handy to have in the wardrobe.

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  22. I may give this top a second look as yours is beautiful! Regarding the little, very little, bit of neckline gap, I would get some of that elastic thread (or cord elastic), fasten at the shoulder and with a blunt needle draw it through the seam until I reached the other shoulder, adjust and then fasten off. It should be just enough.

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  23. What a pretty little top. Looks very similar to one I got on sale last year at Anthro, so I'd say you're right on track style-wise. ;)

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  24. It IS a cute top. I can see how this one could become a good basic.I'd be very interested to see how you would finish a neckline with clear elastic. I'm always saving those pieces that are used on RTW to hang on a hanger, thinking they would be good for something like that...

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