Monday, April 8, 2013

Vogue 8565 Pintucked Knit Tunic


It's a beautiful morning, clear light and a soft wind promising to bring in some clouds later in the afternoon. I love this time of day in the garden.

I finally finished a top for Faye's Essential Top Sew-Along! Thank goodness she extended it 3 days for laggards such as I. Actually, this top took much longer than I ever thought it would, even given my picky picky ways.



I've been wanting to sew this top ever since I found a pic of  SewEllen's  last year. Super cute. I sewed View B, which is tunic length like hers, but I think mine is a bit too long. Which I can fix easily enough. I did a muslin in the shorter length, but like it a little longer.

From reading reviews on Pattern Review, I knew that many sewists had run into issues with the negative ease in this top. Having a full bust, I did not hesitate - I added 5/8" to the sleeve and side seams beginning at the top of the armhole and curing in just above the natural waist. (I like the additional length on the sleeve). I also dropped the armholes 3/8" on both sides, they were just a bit high for me.

 Vogue 8584 Loose Leg Capris

My fabric is a very soft cotton jersey from Girl Charlee. It is a very fine, yarn-dyed knit - and slippery! So my Very Easy Vogue became a challenge.

I had to be careful not to let the stripes move around, and the pintucks were little beasties. Twelve parallel lines with 1/4" tucks in slippery knit. I ended up thread tracing the pleat lines through the tissue, then machine tracing those lines, and using the trace lines to form my pleats. I was wishing for some mid-weight printed jersey before I was done!


Another change I made is in the neckline finish. The pattern suggests turning the neckline to the inside for a 5/8" hem with topstitching. Noooo. I much prefer a bound neckline. Quick how-to:
  • Cut my binding width-wise across my fabric (so that the stretch goes with the length of the binding), 1/1/2" x 40".
  • Trimmed 5/8" from the neckline.
  • Sewed the binding on the outside, right sides together, with a 3/8" seam.
  • Turned the binding to the inside and stitched in the ditch on the outside. Note that the binding is turned over the 3/8" seam allowance - the seam allowance is not turned to the inside!

My staystitching across the top of the pleats was a little tight, they should be spread out a little more. I did not notice until the binding was finished - no way am I going to go back and fix it!


Great with Vogue 8859 skinny pants...


I did not even know I had a branch in my face. I could see just fine. Dodging the branch the next time...


Ciao! Coco

19 comments:

  1. Oh, that is a wonderful knit tunic. I know what you mean about slippery fabrics though. You overcame it, and did a super job. Love your matching shoes too!

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  2. You did an excellent job! Such a pretty, summery top.

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  3. Wow! This top is fantastic! You did a great job!

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  4. Love this top! I don't think I would have looked twice at this pattern until seeing your make. Really cute top.

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  5. The stripes look perfect. Really well-done. Such a great-looking top!

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  6. It looks so comfy!! I love the fabric choice and it looks absolutely perfect on you.

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  7. Wow - you've made this seemingly simple top into something stunning. Perfect tucks.

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  8. Another "Wow" comment because I don't know what other word to use!!! Amazing sewing and OMG it's just adorable!!!

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  9. So cute and your neckline finish is a huge help to me in my 'oh, i'd love to try that but it's knit' refrain I sing!

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  10. Beautiful.. Love the yellow stripe fabric.. Great job.

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  11. You are amazing! Such exactitude and patience. I have made this up a few years ago and changed the number of pleats to adjust fitting.

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  12. Oh it is so pretty. I love the color and style.

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  13. This top is lovely. I particularly like it with the dark blue skinny trousers.

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  14. All the fussing with the pin tucks was worth it - they look great.

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  15. This is really pretty love the top.

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  16. Oh this is such a great top - love the sunny yellows and your sewing looks like perfection!

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  17. Absolutely adorable. LOVE it in the stripes! Well done!

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  18. I LOVE this! The effect of the vertical tucks with the horizontal stripes is super cool, and the color is awesome!

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I love it that you came by...and thank you for your comments! Coco