I just finished sewing up this lovely top in silk georgette. It turned out gorgeous and so luxe to the touch. I can’t wait to wear it, but first, it is meant for a sample to showcase in an adorable little shop in Lake Oswego, Oregon, Nick and Figs, where I aspire to teach and instruct sewing this top in the near future.
The material is a silk georgette I bought at Mill End Store in Beaverton in a gorgeous shade of green:
the color of this fabric is more of a blue/green than this photo shows
This fabric was NOT easy to sew! It frays, it’s super slippery and figetey to work with. This fabric is lucky that I love it, otherwise, this would never be in my sewing room!
I used this new McCalls pattern 7411 to make this top:
I traced off onto separate pattern paper and cut out view C in size Small with no changes or adjustments to the pattern. The only thing I goofed up on was the side seam of the overlay. I is supposed to be split and longer in the back than the front as this line art shows:
I didn’t realize this and just cut the overlay straight across from the front to the back, so the seams match and are not split as shown. I’m fine with that, it’s just not as the pattern intended.
On one of my Pinterest boards, I had pinned some lovely tops in a similar look to keep in mind while making this top:
Looks great with white jeans
After settling in with the pattern cut and all my markings and notches were complete, things went fairly smoothly with sewing this top. Taking my time pinning each raw edge together and carefully sewing, I completed this top in a few days:
pinning the front neckline
making a baby (hem)
tiny hook and eye hand sewed to the back neck edge
The most difficult parts of sewing this double layer top was getting the part where the two layers of the back opening at the bottom of it to come together perfectly and have a smooth finish to it. I carefully went over this area twice so not to have a gaping hole here, then gave her a good press to make it smooth and ripple free. Sorry, no photo…
Also, figuring out the last part, sewing the two layers of the shoulder seams together was a little confusing and tricky, but after some careful thought and basting seams here, I figured it out by just imagining what it should look like when finished and sort of thinking backwards (if that makes any sense). Sorry again, no photo…it wasn’t a pretty sight anyway…
After all that, it turned out a lovely simple yet luxe top that I hope to sew again, next time along with eager students in my intermediate sewing class at a wonderful little local creative arts school.
Happy Spring!
odetosew 
So impressed, Stephanie. Love your topeven better than pattern, the slight curve front to center back is just right. Congrats on your teaching gig. You will be excellent!
Thank you so much Joan! I really like this one and can see myself making it up in several colors and print variations. Hope all is well for you and your PFI collection!
I know what you mean about sewing backwards. I do that a lot! Great advice — and gorgeous top!
Agreed: thinking sort of backwards is sometimes the only way to think it through. Thanks for checking out my post!
I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one who gets confused by these things! Impressive work, and on such tricky fabric, too! I wonder how it would work as a dress? Just lengthen it? Or maybe add a layer?
Very pretty!
Thank you so much!
I left a comment on your PR review with questions. Finding your review right before I begin tackling this same pattern with my first foray into using silk georgette is a gift! I wish I could hop a train from Seattle and take your class on this top, but it’s just not practical right now. (I do love visiting SE Portland in order to shop at Mill End and Fabric Depot). A couple of other questions, if you do not mind:
What size sewing need did you use?
Did you do anything special to cut out the georgette? I am considering laying the fabric on top of thin butcher paper and perhaps using weights to hold it in place while cutting it out with a rotary cutter. Have never tried this before. Your input would be so appreciated.
Hi Chris!! Thanks so much for checking out my blog and comments on this top!
Actually, the class hasn’t happened yet because we agreed that it may be too difficult and time consuming of a project for a beginner level class, so I’m coming up with a much simpler one.
Anyway, on to answer your questions.
I almost always use a new microtex needle (90/12 I believe) on any silk or fine fabric when I sew. I keep them in stock in my sewing kits.
As for cutting the fabric, I should use the paper method, but usually just carefully pin the selvedges together on grain and use plenty of pattern weights and sharp silk pins while cutting out the pattern, double and triple checking the grain before I cut with a sharp rotary cutter. Taking my time in the cutting and marking process steps I find is key for the best results.
Good luck and give me a shout if you are ever in Portland to fabric shop. I’d love to meet you and chat!
Oh my: 2 edits on my review: needle, not need; and Have you ever tried, not never tried!