Friday, May 12, 2017
Anchors Away Bronte Top
Anchors Away Bronte Top
Time to take a close up on the first of the three garments I recently made with fabric given to me by Girl Charlee. This anchor Bronte top is quite the eye catcher, isnt it?! Im literally wearing my nautical obsession on my sleeve here.
Fabric:
For some reason, when I share a new creation, I usually prefer to discuss the pattern before the fabric choice. However, Im going to flip it round this time because this project was very much fabric-lead. As I mentioned in my previous post, Id been given 2 metres of this fabric to make something from and then review it on my blog, so thats what Im damn well going to do.
There must be people who buy all their sewing fabric online. Im not used to online fabric purchasing, so it feels like quite a gamble to me. You just have to hope that the sites descriptions are accurate and that you like what turns up, I guess. I certainly did like this anchor print jersey when it turned up. The description about softness and stretch are true, but Im not sure I would include the bit about drape if I were writing the copy. I was expecting it to be suitable for my Dolores batwing pattern, but I had to rethink when it arrived. Im glad I read how large the anchors are before choosing it, otherwise I think I might have had a mild shock! I love the crisp printing and the boldness of the scale.
The contrast binding trim is made from scraps of super fine red jersey I had in my stash. The binding is a bit more tomato-y than the deeper red of the anchors, but its close enough, especially if you squint. Because the solid red jersey is so fine, I decided to slip-stitch the edge where the back neck binding overlaps the front at the shoulders by hand to stop it flapping up, rather than top-stitching with the machine as I would otherwise do.
Sewing Pattern:
Once the fabric arrived and I discounted a Dolores garment due to insufficient drape, I had to scheme up another plan. The fineness and stability of the fabric leant itself to a more form fitting garment, and I went back and forth between picking the Bronte top by Jennifer Lauren Vintage and Tillys Agnes pattern. I eventually landed on the Bronte top because I wanted to have fun with some contrast neck binding to break up the intense print, although I adjusted the sleeve length to be like the Agnes because I think its really flattering as well as comfortable.
This is my third Bronte top, my first was in the capacity of pattern testing, then I made a black 3/4 sleeve version last year. I think I prefer the sleeve length of this anchor version, it suits the lady like T-shirt vibe. Actually, technically this is my third and forth Bronte top: 2m of the anchor fabric gave me sufficient fabric to make two identical tops (I sent one to my best friend, who loves it so much that she has commissioned more). Plus, I still have enough left over for a pair of toddler leggings!
Thoughts:
I wore this top all day Saturday whilst helping out at the Fabric Godmothers open day where I got to hang with a number of awesome members of the sewing massive, including Rachel from House of Pinheiro, Louise from Seams Odd, Louise and my old mucker, Rehanon from Miss Demeanour (proof, if required, above). The top felt comfortable and certainly garnered a few compliments throughout the day. Such a bold top probably wont see multiple wears during one specific week, but it certainly is a welcome and very fun addition to my wardrobe.
Whilst it is very me, this fabric obviously wont be for everyone. But if you are considering this as your selection to enter the Girl Charlee fabric giveaway, I dont think youll be disappointed to receive it if you are the lucky winner.
Available link for download
