I made this top from Vogue 8907 view C in an orange stretch silk charmeuse. I love the asymetric hem of this top that gives it a little edge and reminds me of BCBG styles.

front view of top

side view of top

back view of top

The only changes I made to this pattern was to make French seams for the side and shoulder seams, and skip the neck and armhole facings and make self bias binding instead.

This was a pretty easy top to sew, but I was not thinking and did not measure the pattern before cutting and cut a small which is too small for me, so it is going to a good friend who is skinny, fit and adorable (don’t hate!) and I know she likes this kind of style.

I plan to make this pattern again for myself in a size or two larger as I think it is fun without being too edgy, plus I have some great BCBG shoes that would look really cool with this top!

A couple of style inspiration photos from BCBG:

style inspiration for the top in orange BCBG “Hadli” jumpsuit $248

Style inspiration in black BCBG “Kenda” top $158

That’s it for today!

I made this kimono top from McCall’s 6510 sewing pattern as I wanted an easy, yet chic, silk  top to wear. I thought it would be cool to add a little leather to the neckline and used some of the lambskin binding I have on hand.

It was a fairly easy and fast pattern to sew, just two  semi-circle pattern pieces of the front and back and the neck binding. The challenging aspect of this top was handling the slippery silk charmeuse. The aggravation was worth it in the end as I really like this top. Here are a couple of photos in the process of sewing:

Using paper clips to hold the leather trim in place as I sew 

Top stitching the leather trim on to the neckline

I like the finished product quite well and hope to make more of these tops. I think solid or printed materials, and a variety of fabrications, would work well for this top. Even lengthening it into a little dress would work as well. I’m thinking if enough people like it and want one of their own to put one or two (or more!) up for sale.

Batwing/Kimono style top

Looks great with a nice necklace

Back view of top

Detail of leather neck binding

“wing” sleeve of batwing top.

And. of course, I have an inspiration photo. This one I found on Polyvore from Givenchy selling for over $1,300! Wow, that is pricey!

Givenchy silk kimono top with leather trim selling for $1,321

Think I did OK copying it, or at least getting the general style idea?

Dipped back hem of top

Side view of top

Silk charmeuse t-shirt top

I made this top in about 2 1/2 hours based on New Look 6217 pattern view B. I lowered and shaped the back pattern piece to make a lower, dipped hem that I am so fond of lately. I also cut the back piece on the fold of the fabric to eliminate the center back seam. French seams were done for the side and shoulder seams. It doesn’t get much easier than this to make a quick luxe t-shirt top!

I used a lovely silk charmeuse in black purchased at Mill End Store in Milwaukie, Oregon (one of my favorite fabric stores in Portland) as they were running a 20% off silk sale.

I have been wanting a simple black silk tee shirt for some time now and am happy that I finally made one. I am sure I will wear this top often as it can be worn casually or dressed up.

I pinned some tops on Pinterest as inspiration:

Joie “Rancher” silk top $158 on Polyvore

Traci French top in Triacetate polyester blend $95

Go Me! I made this top costing about $40 in gorgeous silk. Boom.

That’s it for today!

I saw this lovely silk georgette black, white and grey polka dot fabric at Fabric Depot and have been thinking about it for several weeks:

Silk georgette polka dot material by Milly

Last weekend as I was fabric shopping (a usual thing on weekends!), I saw it again and had a coupon, so figured I’d grab two yards and put my mind at ease in fear that it would all be sold out and gone forever! I brought it home and gently pre-washed it and discovered that the fabric is from the design house Milly by the printing on the selvedge of the fabric. Woo hoo! Love designer fabric!

So, between major sewing projects, I wanted a quick fix sewing project to make and wear for the nice weather to come. I cut out and sewed this top in a total of about 3 hours, including taking time to change the pattern back peice to a curved side hem as opposed to the short, then angular long hi/lo hem. I used my fashion curved ruler to draw in this new curve before cutting the pattern out of the tissue. Sorry, I don’t have a photo of the pattern changes made. Maybe I can manage to take some next time I take out this pattern to sew.

Simplicity 1589 pattern envelope

I am quite pleased with my new top and wore it to work Monday and received several compliments on it! It is very comfortable and I like the hi/low hem and flyaway open split to the back side of the top. One word of caution, this top has very low armholes and the flyaway feature of the back leaves the fit of the top quite loose and open, so a tank or tube top underneath is needed for coverage. Great top though and so fast and easy to make! I look forward to wearing this top in the summer with cute white capri pants or shorts 🙂

Front of top on me

Back of top on me

Back of top on dress form

side of top on dress form

Front of top on dress form

open fly away back of top

I think I may need to run back to the fabric store and snatch up more of this lovely fabric! As you can see from the photo above, they also have a pink and a green version of this fabric that I also like. Oh boy!