A “Simple” Sleeveless Top

Here’s my second (and last) polka dot top of late; the ‘simple sleeveless top’ from Lauren Guthrie’s Learn to Sew with Lauren book. My first make out of the book! I’ve had it since February – why has it taken me until now to use it?!

Anyway here she is…

For this pattern I did a Small Bust Adjustment. I’m glad I did because it fits nicely in that area.

No sewing project is a project without a little mistake, though – is it? I didn’t think about the fact that a SBA shortens the front piece a little. So I should have mirrored that on the back. All I had to do was chop off the excess but, really, I shouldn’t have had to do that!

The only problem I have with this top is the neckline. It’s too big. It’s not the bias binding; it was gaping when I tried it on before binding it. The odd thing is that the neckline measures practically the same as my GBSB top I showed you a few days ago.

It’s the same front and back. I’m thinking that it’s because the straps don’t stay where they should be on me. Why that is though – I don’t know!

I guess it’ll be a quick fix for next time; just take chunks out of the pattern pieces. Thinking about it now, I suppose I could have added some darts or something into this one. Oh well. It’s not too bad really; I can live with it. I have worn it twice this week so that says a lot!

For the most part, this was a quick and simple sew. However I faffed about with a lot of bias binding – I bound the seam allowances as well as the neckline and armholes. The binding on the seams is sewn with the wiggliest sewing ever. But who cares?

I also spent a bit more time on the hem; I used the blind hem foot on my machine for the first time ever! It came with my machine so I’ve had it, what… six years… and have never used it. Turns out it’s pretty good! You can still see tiny stitches – it’s not as blind as doing it by hand. But it’s better than a line of stitching as in a regular hem. It’s quite a skill to ensure that the needles hits the fabric right on the fold every time – I missed a couple of times! But the hem still holds up so all’s fine.

Now I’m done with tops for the time-being; it’s time to make a dress I think! 😀

Beth x