Tuesday, June 07, 2011

Pink to banish the grey

It was a cold, cold day in Melbourne town. The rain was steadily drumming on the roof, and the chill was setting in. Jorth looked out at the bleak greyness, and thought to herself "What this day needs is a pop of colour, and I've just made the very thing!"

Scrutinising herself in the mirror she decided that her pink linen top just wasn't quite bright enough to banish the gloom away. She put on her new red glasses. "That's better!", she thought. "The pink and the red clash perfectly!"

And so, though it may have been rather dull and drab outside, the world was bright in Jorth land.

Pink Linen Top #2

Pink Linen Top #1

Project Details
Pattern: Vogue 1020 (out of print, but still available on the Vogue Patterns website if you're quick!)
Fabric: 1.4 m of Hot Pink Linen Knit from Tessuti Fabrics
Notions: 0.5cm wide length of elastic

 I've had this pattern in my stash for ages. I initially bought it because it was very similar to a top I had bought somewhere, that I wore until it fell apart. It's a great pattern - the gathering hides any bumps, it's tremendously comfortable to wear, and can be dressed up for down as required. Great for work.

Alterations made: I lengthened the sleeves (as per usual) and made a neckline band. I also ditched the side zip. Why would you put a zip into a knit top? I simply could not see the logic of that at all. Seems like a lot of fuss for no reason.

Sewing took all of 2 hours. I can see that I'll be making this top again and again, and I dare say the dress version will also feature in my future!

The linen knit is a rather interesting fabric. Even though technically it is a knit, you can't stretch it too much, so you need to be careful with it so you don't distort the shape. I find myself doing a very careful wriggle dance to get into the top! It's also rather sheer, so you need to wear something underneath to protect your modesty (or not, I suppose!)

And, of course, it's PINK! I'm right into pink this year. I'm not quite sure where this has come from, but suddenly I can't get enough of gutsy, ballsy pinks!

18 comments:

  1. love this, gorgeous!

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  2. OH MY GOSH it's AWESOME! Amazing! And so PINK! (You've inspired me to go dye some boring-neutral coloured garment a bright and daring colour).

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  3. Love your top. A quick (cheeky) question, about the construction- how long is the pattern piece from armpit to hem on the side with the ruching? I have a very similar pattern and would love to alter it to do something similar.

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  4. Thanks everybody!

    Jano, the length on the ruched side is 82cm or 32.5 inches. Pretty long, eh?

    Hope that helps!

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  5. You look fab. I agree with getting out of the grey:)

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  6. Anonymous5:58 pm

    Wow, I must say, this looks so much more awesome than the pattern envelope. So much fun! And I love your new red glasses.

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  7. Gorgeous! The linen knit is fantastic - I bought some in white and love it.

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  8. Anonymous7:04 pm

    That is absolutely fabulous. I've worn that type of fabric before - I'm a big fan of it.

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  9. Wonderfully bright!

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  10. Love the top Jorth and, as always, it's such a beautiful photo - the backdrop is amazing....

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  11. I have this pattern and have made that top several times...Here's a quick way to get the ruching = stitch over a length of streeeetched out clear elastic. Easy peasy!

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  12. I love the pink. And I love where you took the photo, too.

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  13. Yes but you make pink look good! (I've become very anti-pink after all the grotesque stuff we received after my wee girl was born). You're just what Melbourne needs this time of year.

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  14. It looks fantastic!

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  15. Ingrid9:13 pm

    Bumps? What bumps? ;o) Great looking top, I have this pattern out now to make the dress.

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  16. Looks great and just what we need in this rainy weather. Good pattern, I might nab that one...

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