I made a traffic cone! or at least a top that makes a pretty good impersonation of one.
The top is Sleeveless Flare Blouse (view O) from I Love Tops (Japanese pattern book by Yuko Takada) and made without any modifications with the exception of eliminating the back neck slit (the scuba has a slight stretch so I didn’t need the slit to get it on over my head. Yoke fabric is a laser cut Scuba Knit and lower is a cotton burnout and lined with cotton voile. Only the lower portion is lined, the scuba knit is unlined and features raw cut edges on neck and armhole.
The sizing is great around the neckline and armholes and I’m hoping the fabrics all soften down after a few washes as it’s currently very voluminous feeling and looking.
It’s kind of big and I’m still not sure if it’s in the kind of big this is awesome type way or in the wow this top gets in the way it’s got so much fabric type of way?
So far we’ve decided it would be a good traffic cone, smuggling space to carry the cat on cold days so she could act like a hot water bottle or perfect should I ever want to eat my bodyweight in Mexican food and still be comfy.
Only time will tell if it becomes a favourite or a dud, the skirt however is already a firm favourite and possibly one of my go to TNT or Tried N True patterns.
I’ve made the Tsurah Designs straight skirt a few times all of which are currently not yet blogged, so while this is only the 2nd one I made in terms of timeline it’s the first up in the blogging queue.
When cutting I added the smallest extra bit extra over the hips as I felt my first one was a little too tight over my bottom and had the tendency to work it’s way up my body. I also cut the foldover waistband down in size as in the heat of summer I found the extra height or weight a bit hot.
While I love the colour of this skirt I don’t think I should’ve added the extra over the hips as this is a much softer double knit. Am leaving it as is for the moment but am interested to see how it goes after a few wears. I might take it in a fraction if it does stretch out. Good news is it hasn’t stretched out but I have lost a fraction of weight and now it’s a tad too big. So I may well run it back in over the hip only.
Top Pattern: Sleeveless Flare Blouse (view O) from I Love Tops.
Alterations: eliminated back neck slit
Fabric: Laser cut scuba, burn out cotton both purchased at Pitt Trading.
Skirt Pattern: Tsurah Designs straight skirt, made once before.
Alterations: Shortened skirt, added width over hips, made waistband half the height of the pattern.
Fabric: Purple Double Knit purchased at Pitt Trading.
Kirsty
I must get this book!!!
I really love this top. It is so interesting and fun, yet super stylish. Great use of that scuba.
Susan Goodwin
Thank you, am a little on the fence about the top, it’s so voluminous that it gets in the way a little? am hoping with a wash or too it de poufs itself and calms down.
kirsty
P.S. Done! I just bought that book. 🙂
Susan Goodwin
You are going to Love it! Wait till you see the jacket pattern.
Jillian - SewUnravelled
Cannot believe I wasn’t subscribed to your blog! How is that even possible??!! I love how you’ve used the scuba for the yoke and you just know I’m going to copy, copy, copy! And never underestimate the capacity to eat your own weight in any food and have no one the wiser. Food, yum. Voluminous tops for the win!!!
Susan Goodwin
Ha! I know my ability to eat a tonne of Mexican food would benefit from this top!
Jillian - SewUnravelled
Oh and would I have a hope in hell working out how to make it from the Japanese? Eek!
Susan Goodwin
Just follow the diagrams it’s not difficult at all.
Jen
Ooh, I made a top out of that scuba knit (bought it at Darn Cheap in Melbourne); love it because despite the weight, the laser cut holes make it a cool top to wear on a warm day!