Iron Craft ’16 Challenge #10 – Summer Top

For this Iron Craft challenge, we were to make something we could use for summer. For the last couple of summers I have wanted to make myself some summer tops. I wanted something that was casual and easy to wear, but nicer than a t-shirt. I bought some beautiful Lotta Jansdotter fabric last year for this purpose. Unfortunately, my first attempt was a fail and I felt like a real waste of the fabric. So, scared off and afraid to waste the second fabric, I put my sewing machine away. When this challenge came up I decided to try again.

I decided the problem I had last summer was the fabric was too stiff for the pattern I’d chosen. So, I picked a different pattern this year and consulted with Susi about whether or not this quilting cotton would work. She gave me the ok and this was the pattern I went with, New Look 6432.

This is a style of summer shirt I’ve bought a few of and like quite a bit. I wanted short sleeves so, I went with version C.

Here is the finished tunic. I think it has a nice crisp summer look. It was a pretty easy sewing project with no linings or interfacings. I think an advanced beginner could easily do it in a day. The toughest part was setting in the front insert and doing the gathers. (Mine could have been a bit more evenly spaced.)

This is my try at taking a picture of me wearing it. It fits pretty darn perfectly. Again I listened to Susi, measured a similar top and picked a pattern size that was close. I’m glad I did because I almost cut the pattern size one smaller, which would have never fit.

I did do a few changes to the pattern.

• It called for sewing the side seams, setting in the sleeve and then sewing the sleeve seam. I set the sleeve in before sewing the side seam and then sewed the side and sleeve seam at the same time.
• The trim at the neckline was supposed to be made from the fabric. I decided to just use double-fold bias tape.
• The neck opening called for a button and loop or tie closure. I decided not to do either.  The fabric is stiff enough that it doesn’t flop open.

I enjoyed making this pattern a lot and am thinking of doing a second one in a lighter more flowing fabric. I wonder if the black and white gingham I have in my stash would be too much?