I went into Chico’s to look for a funky belt to go with my new knits and while I was there I fell in love with this silk top. Actually I am not sure if it is meant to be a top or a wrap, but since it has to be pulled over the head, I tend to think of it as a top:
It is really just a simple square of silk chiffon and would be very easy to make. I bought this one because I LOVE the fabric and it coordinates perfectly with everything I am taking on a trip to Brazil next week. This would be great over a swimsuit with some cute casual pants by the pool and it also just solved an entire formal dinner dilemna. Well, to dinner I would obviously have to wear a tee or tank under it.
I think I might even have a piece of chiffon or two, originally meant for other things, that will get transformed into something similar.
The top is a rectange of fabric folded in half with the fold at the shoulders. An opening is cut for the neck; I would think I could just copy one from another pattern. The fabric is turned over in a narrow seam and topstitched. The bottom of the rectangle has a narrow topstitched hem. The sleeve openings are a little more than 1/3 of the length of finished top, although that could be easily varied for individual preferences. After the sleeve openings were finished with a narrow hem, the side openings were french seamed closed.
Very simple really.
The bottom fringes are sewn on individually. Each one consists of 6 strands of shiny rayon thread in a heavier weight, about 13 inches long. They were obviously threaded through the hem of the fabric, so the needle must have a big enough eye to hold the thread but a sharp enough point to pierce the silk, pulled half-way through, and then knotted in place leaving about a 6 inch tassel. On my top the tassels are spaced 5/8 inch apart.
Comments
6 responses to “Square silk top”
Mardel, I used the link from Sewing World and took a look at all of your recently completed sewing and just wanted to let you know how lovely I think everything is! Then, I went to your blog ‘sewdistracted’ and learned some good advice about the crotch drafting of pants patterns.
Your colors are beautiful, everything is so nicely coordinated, and I hope you have a WONDERFUL trip! I’m going to spend more time learning from your blog in the future.
Safe trip!
Nancy JC
Mardel, I used the link from Sewing World and took a look at all of your recently completed sewing and just wanted to let you know how lovely I think everything is! Then, I went to your blog ‘sewdistracted’ and learned some good advice about the crotch drafting of pants patterns.
Your colors are beautiful, everything is so nicely coordinated, and I hope you have a WONDERFUL trip! I’m going to spend more time learning from your blog in the future.
Safe trip!
Nancy JC
Very nice outfit, you look stylish,
Romy
Very nice outfit, you look stylish,
Romy
Mardel, Thanks for sharing this Chico layer top with us. It is georgous… as is your entire travel wardrobe. You have done a marvelous job on putting together your colors, fabrics and patterns.
This over layer top is the kind of stuff I like ’cause it fits any body and hides the bulges… not that YOU have any to hide.
Last night, while I was holding a brand new baby boy, born May 1, I laughed about something and my belly shook like a bowl full of jelly…just like my little grandma’s used to…bouncing the tiny babe. I remember how much I loved my grandma and never ONCE thought of her as being anything but beautiful and sweet and loving. I never once thought of her as being fat, lumpy, or ugly. So…why do I think that of myself? I believe this was a “light bulb” moment for me.
BettyM
Mardel, Thanks for sharing this Chico layer top with us. It is georgous… as is your entire travel wardrobe. You have done a marvelous job on putting together your colors, fabrics and patterns.
This over layer top is the kind of stuff I like ’cause it fits any body and hides the bulges… not that YOU have any to hide.
Last night, while I was holding a brand new baby boy, born May 1, I laughed about something and my belly shook like a bowl full of jelly…just like my little grandma’s used to…bouncing the tiny babe. I remember how much I loved my grandma and never ONCE thought of her as being anything but beautiful and sweet and loving. I never once thought of her as being fat, lumpy, or ugly. So…why do I think that of myself? I believe this was a “light bulb” moment for me.
BettyM