Wednesday, January 1, 2014

New Year Transformation.

I hope everyone's 2014 is off to a good start.  I have already accomplished one transformation in the new year. No, not anything personal, a sewing project.  I did a lot of traveling after  Xmas, but did get home in time to whip up a casual top to wear to the family New Years Eve celebration, which consisted of sitting in front of the fireplace while watching the countdown on TV, with champagne chilling for the midnight toast. The top is McCalls 6841, one of several loose-fitting, pullover tops with draped front, and back collar. I made view C.



  I liked the long draping at the center front  of this top and thought it was very elegant. Though I did note that neither the pattern nor the McCall’s Internet site showed a side view of this top. I wondered about all that drapery in the tummy area.   My fabric was a lightweight, crinkly textured, black knit with gold specs from the JoAnn’s red tag table. I have no idea of fabric content, though I suspect mostly poly.  Great drape though.   This pattern is really easy to make. The pieces are odd shaped, so be sure and follow the pattern direction advice and use good marking techniques. It took a couple of hours to cut, sew and finish. I used my new to me (Ebay purchase) Babylock coverstitch machine to do all the hems.  I see why there are a lot of Babylock fans. 


Front Original


Side Original
 The top is fun to wear, but as I thought, there was lots of fabric on the tummy.  On me it pooled mid abdomen, above the crotch of my pants.  On the pattern picture model, it ended below crotch which was much more flattering.  I wore it with slim cut pants to give the illusion that the tummy area was as slim as the thighs. An illusion needed because of all the Christmas cookies I have eaten.


New Years Eve
  I knew I would probably not  wear  this top again. as is.  So I did a little strategic cutting and made it into a drape front cardigan.  I simply cut up the center of the cowl/draping, which was originally on the fold of the fabric, hemmed the edges and voila, a top I will wear often. 



Transformation





Front after Transformation


Side after Transformation


22 comments:

  1. What a great idea; way to think up a creative solution!

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  2. I definitely prefer the cardigan version!

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  3. What a quick and satisfactory solution to a problem! The new cardigan is lovely.

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  4. Happy new year Audrey! A great save. Clever as usual!

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  5. It looks great, those drapey tops are definitely all about making sure they fall right!

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  6. Such a clever idea. Happy new year :)

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  7. Oh my goodness! I like both: the top and the cardigan. Thank you for showing both. Happy New Year!

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  8. Wow, what a great save! I like the top, but the cardigan is fabulous!

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  9. Good rescue! For that top you really need a knit that pools flat. Happy New Year!

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  10. Happy New Year to you! And wow, I loved the photo and article in the recent Vogue Pattern magazine. I remember seeing that top as part of the FM contest.

    You did an excellent job in transforming this top into a nice cardigan. I no longer make those tops with all the fabric pooling at my abs, I am not a tall skinny person that I think it works well on.
    Glad you were able to save that lovely fabric.

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  11. I was thinking how great your top looked until I saw the side view - that drape placement is not ideal! Your transformation is perfect, and looks good from all angles.

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  12. Love the transformation - much more flattering on you!

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  13. Absolutely brilliant rescue - great job!

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  14. Great transformation! It looks perfect now!

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  15. Happy New Year and love your top transformation, much more wearable!

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  16. Yeah, we probably all ate a few too many Christmas cookies. :-)

    I like your cardigan SO MUCH more than the original top. Nice work!

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  17. Love your transformation, brilliant!

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  18. You have always been my 'go-to' sewing problem solving blogger. Great transformation.

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