1 hour top experiment.

Do you ever buy a pattern because it promised you would finish the item within a fixed number of hours?

I did just that a couple of weeks ago when I was on holiday up in Darlington. Most of the patterns promising amzing results within the hour or two hours are normally meant for knit fabrics and since I do not have an overlocker yet, I never buy them. My machine can sew knit fabrics, and I have actually tried sewing with scraps of jersey ( I think it was),  and it does sew well, but I don't have the confidence yet to actually make a whole dress or top.

I am still psyching my husband for an overlocker, dropping not-so-little hints here and there, sighing with constructed frustration at just the right moments, moaning about how my bday is so far away and I actually feel like receiving a present. Its not working so far, because I still don't have an overlocker, but I know sooner or later, the noise will get to him, and I shall be the proud owner of an overlocker. How soon is soon though, I have no clue. All I know is if I do succeed in making him buy me an overlocker, I shall nominate myself for an Oscar.

Anyways, back to the matter at hand. So, I bought New Look 6483, which promised me I would have a brand new top in 1hour. I quickly grabbed the pattern, but upon closer inspection, saw the little print, which said the said 1hour, was "sewing time" only.

Over the weekend, I cut out the top, and kept it in my project basket, waiting for a day when I will be inspired. Yesterday after work, presented the perfect occasion to make this top. I came home from work late (8pm), so I did not really have enough time to sew, but I really felt like sewing. So I took out my cut project, and set my timer.

1 hour later, I had finshed sewing the main parts of the top, but I still had to finish the seams and the hem This took an additional 1 hour. So, New Look, the 1 hour might be okay for an experienced dressmaker, but for someone like me who still has to read instructions in order to make a simple top, 1 hour is abit ambitious dontcha fink?




Good for work

 




I have never sewn so close to the edge before. I was very happy with myself when I did this binding.

 


Good for nights out with my jeans too.



 I'm really happy with this pattern. I used a metre I think. I don't know how much fabric I had in the first place because I bought this fabric as part of a £5 bundle of remnant fabrics from one of the shops in goldhawk road last year. There were many types of fabric in that bundle, and I think majority of them were about 1 metre each. So expect to see many more of such tops, with my remanat fabrics.

 The only changes I made to the project, was using bias binding instead of self facing the neckline and the armholes. I decided to go for the bias binding because it saves time, and also because I wanted to incorporate a plain colour. I could have used yellow, but I only had red at home. So red it was.

Next time when making this top, I will try not to make it so plain, using these Boden tops for inspiration.



Ruffles down the front




Serious neck treatment




Sew in beads.

 Its a good thing the Goldhawk Road Fabric Fandango is next weekend. That way I can buy more lovely fabric for these easy tops.

Have a nice day

xoxo
Dibs