Friday 25 June 2010

Simplicity 2584 - attempt number two!

I wasn’t entirely happy with my first version of this Cynthia Rowley tunic top (featured in this post). My foolish choice of fabric meant that all my efforts making the shaped yoke were largely wasted. But, we live and learn, so here is my second version

I like to think of it as a big splash of summer colour, rather than something by someone who has used random pieces of fabric found in her stash – who me? I used some floral print cotton (from Gorgeous Fabrics) as the main fabric and some coral silk (picked up in a store in the Goldhawk Road) for the yoke – I think that this time you can’t miss it!

I do love this pattern. I think it’s nicely shaped and the style is fun. Here is a picture of the back – you can see how the yoke forms a kind of collar shape at the neck.


If you are thinking of making this pattern, there is one thing about the instructions that I find puzzling. Simplicity have you sew the shoulder seams, baste the yoke piece to the front neckline, sew the side seams, then apply the facing that finishes the yoke and neckline. This order seems odd to me – what I did is sewed the side seams AFTER applying the facing to the neckline. It’s important to get the yoke and facing attached straight and it’s much easier to do this by having the fabric completely flat. Also, as for my last version, I didn’t use a zipper – the neckline is large enough to get it on over the head very easily without.

Here’s a reminder of the pattern envelope

Meanwhile, summer is in full swing here in London. It’s steamy hot and I’ve been floating around in my maxi dress. Tomorrow my DH and I have been invited to sit in good seats at Wimbledon so I’m really looking forward to eating strawberries and cream and, hopefully, seeing some excellent tennis. Hurrah!

34 comments:

  1. Beautiful tunic. I love the contrast yoke. Thanks for the tips on this pattern!

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  2. Beautiful fabric for this top. I made this pattern and it ended up a wadder. I agree. It has some funky fit/direction issues..... but to persevere is the key!

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  3. Don't you wonder who writes instructions for patterns? Apparently they don't sew! You did a great job on that tunic, and it's really lovely. Enjoy the tennis match!

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  4. I love how creative you can get with this pattern. Love your fabric. I am making a dress in the same pattern today!

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  5. This is truly a summery top. Wear this when it's raining, and the sun will start to shine :-) I especially like how the red yoke is attracting (almost) all of the attention. Lovely!
    Enjoy Wimbledon and all the extra's. Sooo amazing you get the chance to be there!!

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  6. I love it with the contrasting yoke! The details on the yoke are so nice. Of course, I love the other one, too! You have great taste in fabrics.

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  7. Fabulous top. Love how the fabrics match.

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  8. It is REALLY lovely - I love the colors!

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  9. Lovely top and you are right it definitely says summer! Enjoy Wimbledon tomorrow!

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  10. Very pretty! I love all the bright colors in it. And I LOVE tennis and am super jealous you get to go to Wimbledon. Maybe I'll spot you on television if the match is televised. Have fun!

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  11. Love your fabric combo! I love this pattern I have made it twice now and may even make it again:) A day at wimbledon! how fun.

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  12. The contrast yoke really pops! I'm not much drawn to tunics, but I love the shaped yoke on this one.

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  13. That is a fabulous top! Great job and way to persevere! Oh, I and I hope you have fun at Wimbleton - we'll try to spot you in the stands on TV here!

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  14. It turned out very nice. It's a great pattern, and I love that summery print.

    Trudy
    www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com

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  15. Your learning paid off well. This tunic is a great summer top. I love the colors. It's obvious that you did a good job of sewing. Thanks for the tip with the instructions. I probably will add this top to my summer sewing list.

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  16. I love the color combination on this. I have this pattern too and am always contemplating over which version to make. So glad to see it made up.

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  17. I loooove this! And to be quite honest I looooved the last one too! You look great in a tunic and your choice of colors are perfect:)

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  18. This version looks great. Have fun at Wimbledon! A nice break from football I think! LoL

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  19. You'd fit right in at the Hamptons in east NY with all the other chic people. Enjoy Wimbledon! Still amazed at the Isner-Mahut match.

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  20. That looks fantastic, I think you should wear it to Wimbledon, I'll look out for you on TV!

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  21. Love your new top, great colors. Have fun at Winbledon

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  22. Fantastic top!! love the colors and the style.

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  23. Again my color and print. :) So lovely!

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  24. Beautiful fabric! Very well made! It's just lovely and feminine.

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  25. I really like this top! Lovely fabric.

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  26. I looked at this pattern recently, but concluded that the front was too low and would be difficult to raise. Did you change the neckline, because yours looks quite modest? PS It's lovely BTW

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  27. Thanks so much to everyone for the nice comments and I had a great time at Wimbledon!
    Gail - you are very perceptive because, yes, I did raise the neckline some. However, I am pleased to tell you that it wasn't at all difficult. I kept both the yoke and the facing exactly as drafted and just made the slit not so deep - you just sew down as far as you want to go, cut the slit then flip the facing around. You don't have to change the shaped yoke or the facing at all.

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  28. What gorgeous summery fabric!
    I am making a 60's dress at the moment, and the instructions are all over the place! I prefer to work on one piece, then join them together, because it is much easier to be accurate when it is still flat!

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  29. Very cute. I don't have this pattern, but I seem to be collecting these types of tunic tops. Maybe I'm thinking it's time to get away somewhere tropical to wear them. When you've been making them up, I sure can see the island effect, and I really like it. Lucky you at Wimbledom. I've been watching some on the TV and I would love to go. I had thought about recording some of it just to see what the people were wearing in the audience.

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  30. That top screams summer to me - love it!

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