On a whim I took out a cute fifties pattern and decided to make it into a top, performing a small dart adjustment and rotating the darts in the mix.
No special pics for this make!! Pants are Kiki
On cutting out the top, I realized I wasn’t sure how to mark the (now lightly curved, lol@ me) darts on the lightweight silk I’d picked for the project. This brought me over to a post on Peter Lappin’s blog, where he says Kenneth D. King instructs one use a Hera marker followed by white chalk in these sorts of situations. And then a comment from David Page Coffin on how he does it. Talk about a trifecta! It worked slickly and quickly, without the fuss of tailor tacking (which of course i will still do with heavier fabrics). I should, however, have basted the darts before sewing for better accuracy.
The pattern is a trace of the bodice from ***FILL IN HERE**, size 36 with a 2” small bust adjustment. I then rotated the darts to a french ish position and made them curved. I extended the bodice a bit for shirt length.
As I cut this out, I of course forgot that I would have to finish the neckline. The pattern calls for small facings, which is what I tried. I didn’t want to interface bc I don’t currently have a lightweight white interfacing on hand, so I cut two of each the front and back facings and sewed the bottom seam together for a cleaner finish. This is fine! Feels a bit floppy off but on it doesn't tuck out or anything. However, the neck hole is a notch small and definitely should have a closure.
The original pattern has a wrap, which I bailed on, would have been cute but didn't want to navigate cutting. Not mad I skipped it because as a shirt it's too snug for comfort and maybe I can eventually do something with the bit of scrap that would have been the wrap tie element.
My measurements: 34 high bust, 34 full bust, 30 waist
Pattern:
Size made: 36, 2” small bust adjustment
Next time: curved darts on slippery fine fabric? hera marker, chalk THEN BASTE before you sew.
