I modified the neckline of the Lily from a boat neck to round, as a boat neck can be problematic with bra straps. I also shortened the top to waist length. The sleeves were shortened and folded back to form a cuff. I stitched the fronts to each other at the neck edge and instead of the collar I widened the neck to a circumference of around 70cm and added a cowl. Much like a double breasted shirt, except I skipped the buttons. To make the top I extended the fronts of the Jac shirt past the mid line, about half way towards the side seams, so they would overlap. The inspiration was something like this top by Bryn Walker, although my version has short sleeves and not as many layers. This post is about my latest version, somewhat lengthened from the original and with a short overblouse adapted from yet another one of my TNT patterns, the Tessuti Jac shirt. That was 3 years ago and I am still finding ways to use this pattern for something new.
I have blogged about this here in a previous post. The sleeveless version of the Tessuti Lily, a simple A-line dress, is probably my most basic pattern and I have made it many times in all sorts of incarnations. Having made them many times before and knowing all the ins and outs is a bonus, and I can vary each one just enough to get the look I am after and avoid a strong personal style turning into ‘same old same old’. These patterns are my TNTs (Tried N True) because I know they suit me and will turn out so I can be happy with the result. The fabrics I have used make all the difference between super casual and special occasion, winter or summer. Two skirts, 2 pants, 2-3 woven shirts, 2 knit tops and 3 dress patterns have actually, over time, resulted in a rather gargantuan wardrobe with something to wear for every occasion. That small number of patterns is all I need to cover 90% of the garments I make. Almost always I can adapt one of the basic patterns I already have. Then I go looking for a pattern to achieve that look. I prefer to start with fashion shots of garments I like, often on Pinterest or designer websites. I personally think that my sewing does not benefit from being driven by new patterns, especially not by the patterns offered by the Big 4. Pattern companies need to sell patterns to make money, and people who enjoy sewing also enjoy browsing patterns and consequently end up buying lots.
Which side has made more of an accommodation than the other is hard to tell. I suppose that over the years I have learnt to sew what I like to wear, and to a point have learnt to like what is easy and quick to sew. To me tailored garments very much fit into that category. I also like wearing comfort and no longer want to tolerate anything tight or restricting. Not me! I am really more into the overall look of an outfit than into technical excellence in my sewing, and if I can get away with something simple to achieve my ends I will run a mile from complicated.įortunately I am into the Japanese Lagenlook aesthetic of simple and uncluttered, and fiddly details just don’t attract me. Some sewists really enjoy the challenge of exploring new patterns and mastering advanced techniques.
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