Bow tie blouse!

The Bow Tie Top:

It's cute without being cutesy, and offer's opportunities to use up large fabric scraps by playing with a mixture of fabrics.  It's a quick sew, with no sleeves to set in.  It's comfortable to wear.

Taking pictures of oneself in the mirror isn't easy.

Especially with flashes.

And low light levels.

I am a 36" full bust measure at the moment, and I cut out a 35" size, which was fine.  I did flare out a bit at the hem to give me more hip room.  That's standard for me.  I was using the last remnant of some rayon knit from gorgeous fabrics and couldn't orient the bottom front of the shirt to have the stripes going vertically which would have been even better, but I still like it lot.


The construction Nitty-Gritty


Steph gave some sensible directions for applying the binding to the sleeves and neckline.  Somehow this just didn't click with me, and I did what I normally do based on my quilt binding experience.  I also used special knit stitches on my machine, wanting to do an *extra good job*.  I think you are already anticipating that I will tell you that the results were not as good as I wanted.


I didn't have any extra fabric to play with and unpicking a knit sometimes destroys it, so I will live with a neckline that could be better.

Applied like double bias binding on a quilt edge.  Stitched down with a knit stitch. 

The sleeve, after thinking again and re-reading the instructions.

The inside of the sleeve, with the raw edge stitched down.  It's plenty neat, and much less bulky than what I did to the neckline.  Live and learn.

Final Thoughts


I think this top would look especially good on someone busty.  It's sort of counterintuitive, with the cutout and everything, but I think all the details around the bust would visually break up the area and make it seem daintier.  Even though I am not very curvy on top, I feel good in this top because the cut and the stripes emphasise my shoulders a bit and help to balance out my pear shape.  I think it will be a cute top to wear this summer with capri pants, or an a-line skirt.


The Bow Tie Tee pattern is up for sale now on Craftsy.


I know the pictures I've taken are substandard.  I'll update with better ones if I get a sunny day and an accomplice to take them of me.  Meanwhile, we'll settle for these.