wardrobe essentials 2016 - the Zsalya top

I have been meaning to show you my latest creation, a modified Zsalya top I finished at the end of June. I didn't get a chance to wear it until this week, would you believe it?

A perfect top for 'the heatwave'. I am rather pleased with this photo, it looks like I have lost half my body weight. I haven't but I must remember where and how I took this photo for future feel good moments. The tortoise pose I shall call it, chin forward and up, camera at a slight downward angle.

I made a Zsalya top previously and wrote about it here. Although I loved the top, it wasn't my favourite top. I think it is because it has a very prim neckline and the gathered sleeves, which remind me of the 1980s. I wore it during a sewing class and Cassandra from the Stitchery complimented me on it. This and my newly learned skills to adapt patterns encouraged me to have another look at the pattern. I decided to open up the neckline a little but leave the sleeves as they were because I had chosen a drapey and soft fabric, rather than a stiff quilting cotton that I had used for the first iteration.



The fabric, a cotton lawn, makes a bit of a chance to my usual choices I think. It is more girly than I am but I do like it rather a lot. Here's to my hidden feminine side! The fabric is soft and drapes really well. It actually feels rather luxurious. There was enough of it left to make a laptop sleeve.

The neckline of this new version is lower and feels more comfortable. I think if I made it any lower, the crossover wouldn't work, it has a slight tendency to gape open now. If you look closely, you can see this in the photo below. The only other change to the pattern I made is to lengthen it a bit at the bottom.

I like how the top is gathered in the front. The gather is repeated in the back, too but there is slightly less fabric. My sleeve setting technique improved a lot in the last year and I had no problems at all. I think the gather is not overbearing and adds to the girlyness of the top.





The sleeve has a nice detail which was a bit tricky to sew with the first version because the fabric didn't give much. This time, it was much easier and I really like it. The stitching btw is dead straight, even though it looks a bit wonky on the photo.



The instructions for the pattern are clear and easy to follow. There is a quick & dirty way to sew the yoke and a longer but ultimately neater way of doing so. I chose quick & dirty this time and to be honest, I can't see a difference between my two versions.

I am not sewing anything at the moment. I chose to knit during my holidays, a bag of knitting is so much more portable than a sewing machine and doesn't rely on power.  Since my return, I have focused on soap making and didn't have much time for sewing. Even my days lasts only 24 hours! I am planning to make a pair of shorts for our beach holiday in autumn. I don't own any shorts other than the jeans with cut off legs and I think it is about time that I tackle the trousers.

Wishing you a happy day with plenty of joyful moments xx

Comments

  1. You are inspiring me Christina. My sewing machine is on the table ready. Just need the right pattern and fabric. Your cotton lawn works really well and I love the adaptations you have made. You are very clever. Good luck with the shorts. B x

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  2. Christina this top is a triumph and your confidence in adapting patterns to suit you makes me think of my mum. She always said that once you know what suits you and you have the right fit you can adapt to your heart's content. You are nudging me to dressmake - I have only made various iterations of a wraparound skirt in the last, gosh, probably 30 years. I seem to have subscribed to Purl soho and they keep sending me free patterns (a gathered shoulder top today where fit does not matter)! so no more excuses. Oh and good luck with the shorts.

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  3. So cute, Christina! I really love this top. It looks great on you. I think the chest and shoulders areas are especially nice on you. It looks light and cool for summer. Great job.

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  4. You are certainly inspiring. All I have managed this week is cutting the legs of some trousers to make some shorts. We are in the middle of a storm as I write but it hasn't cleared the air yet.

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  5. I absolutely love this top and the fabric, it really suits you and is perfect for summer days. The little touches of detail make it a top that no one else will have. Jo x

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  6. Brilliant top, clever you, you've made a lovely job of it and it really suits you. You always inspire me with your beautiful sewing. Although as you say, knitting is more ideal for summer travelling. CJ xx

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  7. So pretty and looks professionally made. Such a pretty print.

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  8. So pretty and looks professionally made. Such a pretty print.

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  9. It is a beautiful top! It looks lovely on you, is really well sewed and is a lovely choice of fabric! Enjoy wearing it!

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  10. What pretty fabric and you are right - it's feminine, yet colorful like you prefer. Very nice top!

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  11. I too, admire your work, Christina! Your success has me dreaming of getting a sewing machine...and successfully using it! xx

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  12. What a very pretty top. It really suits you, your adaptations make it perfect for you. The sleeve detail and gather at the bust really lift it. Great choice of fabric too. X

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  13. You did a really really good job there. Love all the detail and the fabric you chose. Perfect tortoise pose, too, btw.

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  14. Hey Christina,
    Obviously the top os a triumph. But I am intrigued by the tortoise poise. I may have to adopt it for obligatory summer pics!
    Leanne x

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  15. You look fabulous in any angle, love that top.
    Meredith

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  16. oh you have no idea how much I LOVE your top! WOW - an amazing talent you have. If I lived any closer, I'd be paying you lots to sew me one :)

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  17. That top looks great on you.I think I'll try to make a similar sleeve for my next project. Thanks for the inspiration. Irune

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Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment, I love to hear from you, I really do. I sometimes reply by email but I am not all that reliable... Christina xx

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