Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Top with Print Contrast Binding


Have you noticed this trend in Spring 2013 clothing? I am seeing it everywhere. Tops in solid fabrics (or in subtle stripes, plaids, etc) are sewn with contrast bindings/pipings/etc in print fabrics, usually florals. So I am jumping on that bandwagon.

Never let it be said that Shams doesn't pay attention to trends. (She may ignore them, but she is aware of them.)

I wanted an asymmetric neckline, similar to one I'd seen in RTW, so I started with the Renfrew top and sliced and diced the front - the back is quite plain, though the binding does wrap around the neckline.

The front after slicing and dicing. I added a 5/8" seam allowance to the bottom of the shoulder piece, shown on the left. The neckline bit was discarded. I also narrowed the shoulder, just slightly, at the back to correspond to the narrowed front shoulders.

To construct, I sewed the both shoulder seams, then applied the binding in one continuous piece all the way around the neckline. I then laid the bottom edge of the shoulder piece underneath the front by 5/8", and topstitched in place. I sewed the sleeves in flat, and then sewed up the side seams/sleeve seams. I hemmed the sleeves and bottom using Steam a Seam Lite 2 and topstitched on the sewing machine.

For the heathered "solid" fabric, I had more left over from my first Renfrew trial. For the contrast binding, I grabbed a print jersey from Fabrix and sliced off a 2" strip. I folded it in half and sewed it on with a 3/8" seam allowance.

Easy peasy.

I'm almost embarrassed to blog it. But not *that* embarrassed.

And, speaking of which, so many of my favorite bloggers are either retiring their blogs or going silent. I kind of get it, actually, since the longer one blogs, the harder it is to come up with interesting things to say or show. Life moves on, other things take precedence.

Hopefully, I haven't bored the bejeesus out of you yet.

DD1 was here last week for spring break. It was nice to see her. One afternoon, we both got haircuts. At different salons, but we met up afterwards. She went to the expensive salon (which did a beautiful job but it cost her beaucoup bucks) and I went to the beauty school, where my cut/color costs $18. I meet the nicest students who are about to graduate. It's a win win. Yeah, occasionally my bangs are crooked, but it's all survivable.

On Friday, I took both daughters to dinner. I was hoping we could grab some photos of all three of us, since I really don't have any. Alas, it was not to be.

Work has been intense lately. Most of the time, I work at home, on my sofa. Occasionally, I have a "helper". You can see how "helpful" he is.

The view from my laptop.

I have some sewing plans, but my weekends have been, and continue to be, pretty busy, so we'll see how much I accomplish. It would be nice to have a new garment or two for Pattern Review Weekend at the end of this month.

55 comments:

  1. How I DO LIKE that neckline treatment. I've hung on to some print knit scraps thinking I might "eventually" use them. Maybe their time has come....Know what you mean about missing some blogs. I, too, understand. Lately, I just haven't had time to sew and, therefore, nothing to blog about. Hopefully, the things that have been keeping me away from sewing will slow down soon.

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  2. I'm big fan of contrasting binding.. It's adds color on the face... Beautiful photo with your daughter

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  3. I didn´t notice that trend, but now you mention it... It looks pretty.
    Talking about pretty: your daughter is gorgeous!

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  4. The trim looks great - adds interest and definition to the top. I have always like contrast trims and piping.

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  5. I'm so not on top of the trends but I do like it. The green colour suits you too.

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  6. The world is a richer place because you blog:)
    So happy that you shared the top. Simply lovely.

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  7. Look at you all trendy and such! Great top, definitly blog-worthy - the simpler ideas may inspire someone to just sew it!

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  8. I like what you did to your top - a nice change. I also like your helper, he could almost be my helper's twin ;-)

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  9. That's a great designer detail you've come up with. Nice tutorial as well.

    The blogging world grows and changes like anything else in life. Some bloggers I no longer follow because their interests have changed, which is fine, but they are no longer my interests. I wish them well. Some bloggers have just stopped but I am finding many new wonderful blogs all the time. I really do need to update my blogroll!

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  10. Another lovely top! The asymmetrical neckline is very flattering and the floral binding gives it edge! Its great :)

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  11. Love what you did with the floral binding. It looks great!

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  12. I surely hope you continue to blog! I always am happy to see that you've got another post. You are extremely creative and inspire me to "think outside the box".
    Thank you for your generous sharing.

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  13. Love what you have done with that top. Great neckline. Never boring. And LOVE that cat!

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  14. Great looking top! The color and the style suit you tremendously! And you have to keep blogging...

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  15. By reading your blog, I now know the latest trend. LOL. I like that top. Your daughter is gorgeous.

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  16. Your daughter's lovely, Shams, as are you! That's a great neckline with the binding which I may have to borrow. Probably when it's way out of fashion!

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  17. Nice trim! I have done the same to some black tees I brought camping. Your mom-daughter pic is adorable.

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  18. Lovely daughter, beautiful top! I hope your blog doesn't disappear the way some of yourself has done--you look great and remain a great read!

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  19. OMG, was that actual sunlight in SF?

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  20. LOL at the helper!!! That last picture gave me such a laugh :D
    You and your daughter are gorgeous together... I'm afraid my own haircuts fit the criteria of hers, rather than yours! Your blog is never never boring, dear Shams, although I fear the same thing about my own constantly!

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  21. It's amazing to me what a difference a simple alteration can make - your neckline is FABulous! Even though it seems simple, it took a vision, and your vision is anything but boring!

    Love everything about that top :) And photographing outside with greenery! Yay; spring is arriving!!!! :D

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  22. The neckline is really effective. I can see it working really well with a solid contrast binding as well.

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  23. Yes, I am seeing this trend also and like you I either ignore or get on the bandwagon sometimes after the trend has come and gone. I really like your top and the contrasting trim is perfect with this. Great job.

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  24. The binding on the neckline is very effective - quite Oriental. Congratulations on your weight loss, you look very well.

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  25. Love the trendy top. That's a great way to amp up a TNT t-shirt pattern. Nice.

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  26. LOve the top. You are so creative Shams. Please don't ever stop blogging. I so look forward to your posts!! Your daughter is lovely!

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  27. The top looks great! It's a nice subtle detail that zings things up. Beautiful daughter too!

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  28. Lovely top, shams. It reminds me of some of the old Marcy Tilton tops--but you would have to add wild sleeves. Thanks for the idea. I think we all should just follow you around and copy your creative output.

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  29. You are never boring! Don't even think of "retiring."

    rhodeanie

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  30. I agree with others. You never bore even with an easy-peasy piece. In fact, those are quite inspiring because you make it look easy-peasy. I too love the interesting neckline.

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  31. great top and I like the color on you. cute photo with your daughter.

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  32. Love the new top, Shams! I have one in black rtw that was on my list to copy, now you've figured it out for us, thank you!!!

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  33. Beautiful neckline treatment. I'll have to remember how to do that - if I ever get moved and am able to sew again.
    Marciae

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  34. This is a cool top and you look noticeably slimmer since the last time I saw you (online). I've been off RSS feeds for about a month and a half so when I saw the first pic I did a double take. Good on you-keep it up.

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  35. Always a fan of deliberate, bold asymmetry, I love it!

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  36. Very 'on-trend' with this top, as usual! Beautiful colours on you ...J

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  37. I just love your blog and would be very sad if you decided to stop posting. You are never boring, but always inspiring. The top is really cute, as are you and your daughter together.

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  38. This is very clever, and I can see how I can use it myself, with some of the scraps that have been too pretty to toss. I love your blog. Your adventurous spirit and direct style inspire me.

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  39. Shams, you are never boring. I love this top and I hope you don't mind if I steal your idea. I have some nice sized print remnants that would work very well for this.

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  40. I love the trim on this top - and while it is simple it is very swish. I may have to take notice of the Sham trend and do an interpretation!
    P.S. Nice cat!

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  41. Shams, I love your blog, you are NEVER boring. Please don't stop or even think about it.
    I love that top, gave me a great idea on some of my stash fabric. Thanks again -- for you!

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  42. Looking good Sharon. Love the green on you. And I do so enjoy your blog.

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  43. I love this idea of adding a little interest to an otherwise plain top. I'm short, so 'plain' works best for me, but your trim makes it more interesting. Great idea. Thanks for sharing.

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  44. Nice neckline treatment, and the top is very flattering!

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  45. What a great way to dress up a T-shirt. I usually lurk and almost never comment but felt I had to beacuse I wanted to say your blog is most certainly NOT boring!

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  46. Love the results of your slicing and dicing! Great photos of your lovely daughter and your mischievous little helper! I cut my own bangs and they are always crooked -- I just go with it.

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  47. I am going to copy this, it looks terrific, and so do you. About 20 years younger and so svelte. Greta looking daughter too.

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  48. That is a cute top! and love the photos of you and the gorgeous DD.
    And your laptop helper is hilarious. I have a couple of those, too.
    btw, I just finished a quilt and it is useable but it certainly doesn't please me. So ... that is what's happening in my world. Real exciting, eh.
    ha ha.

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  49. Love the marle look of your green fabric - for some reason I always associate that look with comfort! The fabulous match between your binding and the solid green makes me smile - it's gorgeous :)

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  50. Hi Shams!
    I love your blog! Please keep it up. Love how you trimmed the top. I have 2 cats - whenever I see one, I smile.
    Kathy

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  51. I enjoy your blog, and your "almost embarrassed to blog" t shirt is a really good idea - I will be rummaging through my knit scraps tomorrow.

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  52. Great use of scrap fabric. I love the way you used it to accent that sweater. Beautiful job.

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  53. I love the asymmetry of your top. I've been wanting to do a tank top with floral contrast binding for a while now.

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