Jul 15
2016
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It’s been hot here lately. Much hotter than I am comfortable with, though I know it is still cooler than many other parts of the country. I’ve seen many comments on sewing rated blogs I’ve been reading about how when the heat arrives the drive to sew evaporates. For me it is the complete opposite. While I may not want to move around any more than absolutely necessary as it heats up, my desire to sew new, cool, floaty garments only increases. I had an important meeting at work last Monday and decided on Saturday morning the weekend before that I really should have a new top. Something that would be both comfortable and good looking in the heat. I remembered about this lovely prism voile I’d bought way back in February (I’d been admiring it for a while and finally decided I could get just a metre and a half for a treat) and realized that Rae’s Ruby top would be a perfect match for it.
The voile is rather on the sheer side and I originally thought I would need to line the whole top - which would at least somewhat delete the purpose of a floaty light top - but in a loose, gathered style like this, and with the right bra underneath, it wasn’t issue. I did line the yoke, for opacity as well as stability. Rae has a really nice video series showing how to add the lining. I added the additional step of understitching the lining to keep it firmly in place. It was fiddly but worth the result. All the visible finishing was done by hand and all raw edges are neatly contained, either in the yoke, bias tape or in french seams. I really enjoy hand finishing a garment. It takes the quality up a notch for me and given a slightly softer look.
I’ve already worn my top a second time and I’m looking forward to making a dress or tunic length version. I took these pictures after my work day and it was too hot to have anything over my top but earlier I’d been wearing it with a cardigan. I think it will be a great top for layering when the weather cools off again.
p.s. Ever wondered what an okra flower looks like? Here you go.