Thursday, April 26, 2018

Simply Silk, A Cynthia Rowley Top (Simplicity 1366)


If you are looking to sew something that will bring quick gratification, this is the pattern to use. 
I have just posted a review of Simplicity 1366 at the Pattern Review website.

I used silk fabrics for this project. 

It can't get any simpler than this top pattern. There are only four pieces--front, back, sleeves and neck facing. The simplicity of the design makes it perfect as a blank canvas for design modifications. 


As I only had one yard left of the silk chiffon left from a previous project, I could only fit the front and back bodice pieces which were both cut on the fold. The sleeves were cut from a solid black textured silk fabric. 



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Because my fabric was lightweight and semi-sheer I opted to finish the seams using French seams. The 5/8" seam allowance made the process super easy. I have sewn some Indie blouse patterns where the seam allowance was only 3/8" and using French seams in those cases was challenging unless I widened the seam allowance. 



When I was pining the neck facing to the neckline, it looked like the facing was too wide for the neckline. The trick is to just pin along the markings (shoulders/notches, centers) and leave the rest free. Because the facing had more ease, I made sure to sew with the facing near the feed dogs. That way I was able to ease it in while stretching the top fabric a bit. It's similar to easing in sleeves while sewing in the flat. 

Here is the finished neckline.



For the sleeve hems, I used a 3/4" allowance after testing the top and determining where I wanted the sleeves to hit. I used a narrow hem.

For the bottom hem, I hand stitched a blind hem.

Here are some more pictures of the finished top. I'm quite happy with how it turned out!
















6 comments:

  1. It's funny how sometimes fabric limitations make the garment even more interesting - I really like the black sleeves with the patterned body.

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    1. True, it forces one to be more creative!

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  2. (re: Going back and looking at your blog to learn more from your sewing blog.) Your creativity is awesome and I'm admiring your hand stitching for the blind hem which is fabulous! Thanks so much the instructive pictures you add on your blog. Lynda from Toronto (persevering on sewingpatternreview)

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    1. Thanks so much Lynda! You are always so kind! Good to know your PR username, now I remember you!

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