Saturday 25 January 2014

Sew Cheap January Free Pattern Review: A Two Tone Singlet

This year I've made myself a sewing goal: make 12 new-to-me free patterns, one for each month, and review them here. For my first monthly Sew Cheap:Free Pattern make and review, I chose the newly released simple Teach me Fashion's Two Tone Singlet. Teach me fashion release PDF patterns with accompanying YouTube video tutorials to teach home sewers varying techniques. The Two Tone Singlet is freely available and sent via email upon request. The singlet is a boxy floaty top without darts or closures. The shaping is created through the separate peplum pieces, the back piece with tucks, and square panel bodice pieces. The neck and armholes are finished with bias binding. Light to medium weight fabrics are suggested.

Teach Me Fashion Two Tone Top

For this top I used two stash fabric, one is a very sheer wide-weave floral print John Kaldor Fabric Maker cotton I bought at an op-shop. The other, i think, is very light pink a viscose I bought for linings. Not the best fabric choices I've ever made. I underlined the sheer floral fabric pieces with the pink fabric, but had to work quickly as it frayed at the speed of lightening with a mere breeze unraveling it. The underlining fabric was quite slinky. I used the underlined floral for all top pieces/panels except the rectangular under arm pieces.

Teach Me Fashion Two Tone Top

The PDF pattern came together quickly with my only confusion being which underarm line to cut for the side panels. I think I ended up cutting the largest size for the underarm hole but it turned out fine, no drama. I cut a size small. My hip measurements didn't match the small, but being such a boxy top it's best to go with the bust size.

Teach Me Fashion Two Tone Top

I began to sew the pattern up using only the written instructions. They were very brief; at first I thought there were steps missing. I tried to wing it. I began to insert the panels into the front and back bodice pieces but couldn't for the life of me figure out how to piece the square corners perfectly. After much seam ripping I finally remembered that there was an accompanying YouTube tutorial! The video was clear and fully explained the steps involved in inserting a square corner. But with this temperamental fabric I still added a little fray stopper to the inside of my square panels seams for some added just-in-case protection. After you sew up these corners side panels the rest of the top goes together easily without the instructions.

Teach Me Fashion Two Tone Top
On trying on the top pre hemming and finishings, I could only just squeeze my head through the opening, while the rest of the top fit loosely. I cut into the very high neckline just enough to get the top over my head. I cut slightly deeper into the front of the top than the back. But as you can see it is still a very high neckline on me. I finished the arm holes and neckline with bias binding. I also used bias binding for the hem as it was on the short side and I wanted to keep as much length as possible but the underlined fabric wasn't playing nice enough for attempting a super skinny hem. 

Teach Me Fashion Two Tone Top

I'm reasonably happy with the final product in terms of the finishing and fabric choice. I really like the back of the top with the sweet peplum tucks. But, I find the front a bit boxy and unflattering. Not really my style. In saying that, if you like loose summer tops which don't restrict your tummy this is a great choice which could be made up in some really fun and flirty fabric combinations. I would recommend the pattern for beginners who already have a few garments under their belt. With the YouTube video it come together quickly and teaches some useful techniques (e.g. French seams, piecing corner seams, sewing with slippery fabric). But be ready for the possibility of having to lower the neckline.

John Kaldor Fabric Maker

While I like how the top turned out I really can't see myself using any more of the sheer floral fabric. I have approximately 1.4m by 44" wide left, plus 2 x 0.7m by 0.3m scraps. In the spirit helping others Sew Cheap I would be happy to post the left over fabric free of charge to anyone in Australia who would like it. Comment, or shoot me an email (sewnbyelizabeth at gmail dot com) with your mailing address and I'll post within a few days.

Teach me fashion Two Tone Singlet
If you like this post, you might also like my Sew Cheap: Top Tips and Sew Cheap: Free Patterns posts. 

12 comments:

  1. Are you eating Gelato Messina?

    Oh, the top...it looks really complicated to me and it's turned out so well for you. I don't know how to line anything yet so that's a skill that always impresses me. I made a top recently with a slippery fabric, and tried to make a dress out of rayon that is also slippery - gah! Back to cotton for me (for now).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Mel,
      Nope just from a local ice cream store.
      Underlining is a great option for newbies as it's literally just treating two pieces of fabric as one.
      Good luck with your next makes!

      Delete
  2. Ive already downloaded this top, I love the seaming on it. Thanks for the review, yours is so cute! But yes, uber fraying fabric is eeeeeevvviiill.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for pointing out this pattern! I think it looks really cute on you! Maybe I'll make one in a solid colour for summer..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! A solid version in floaty fabric could be really lovely!

      Delete
  4. This top is not as flattering as it could be because the bodice sections have too little incorporated shaping for the difference between the centre front/centre back and the sides. Your will need some pattern paper for this - to make a new pattern using the original as a template. Slash the centre front bodice pattern horizontally at the corner where it joins the side front pattern and increase the length of the centre front bodice by 1" (for a size 10 AUS - add 1/2 inch for each higher bust size). Lower the join corner of the centre front bodice pattern by drawing a line from the original armscye point to a new join corner point 1/2" lower. Make the appropriate adjustment to the matching front side panel (where it meets the join corner point should be 1/2" higher, side dart/armscye point remains as is ). This increases the centre front length and keeps the side length the same. Your centre front and side front pattern corner joins will now meet at an increased angle, creating a bustline (no longer flat). This correction will decrease the "sticking out tummy" at the front and help to reduce "cupping" under the hips at the back. Every figure is different, but some simple pattern adjustments BEFORE cutting out can make a lot of difference. This advice is just a basic fix - experiment with it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow! What a lot of feedback! Do you have a blog? It sounds like you have a lot of knowledge to share. Your suggestions are really useful and I agree that these modifications would give the top a lot more shape.
      I'm not so invested in the style that I want to make another one any time soon. But if I choose to make another then I will definitely be modifying to increase the waist definition. Thanks for popping by.

      Delete
  5. hey there:) This was my first visit to your blog.. Nice to meet another creative seamstress. I saw your lovely creations and couldnt help but follow your blog :D - I am a seamstress and love making clothes for myself. Thanks for this post :D - - Diya TheHobbyHarbor

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Diya, thanks for popping by :)
      I checked out your blog and your makes look very fun. I look forward to seeing your future makes.

      Delete
  6. I really like this top! The two tone makes it very unusual in a good way...not like all the other tops you see. I know what you mean about the waist definition though, I always end up bringing my tops in a little at the waist. I feel like straight sides make me look a bit pregnant. That floral fabric is gorgeous! Don't suppose you've still got it stashed? ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much. I really like that it's a bit different too! I actually never got round to sending the fabric to the op shop. Your in luck, I'll email you to get your address.

      Delete