When Andrea and I were in Michigan last month, I bought this beautiful "anaconda" print rayon/lycra jersey. I almost didn't buy it - I looked at it several times and put it back, because I generally don't wear black/grey. But when I saw that the description included plum tones, I caved. I still don't see the plum, but the belief that it's there makes this fabric a go for me.
I didn't have a firm plan for this fabric when I bought it, other than "top." So I looked through my stash of Burda magazines, and settled on this simple dolman-sleeve tee: Burda 12/2013 #128. You all know I love a dolman sleeve.
The sleeves on this top are very long, and designed to be pushed up I think. They also have a double-layer cuff, which I think is kind of nice.
For this top, I traced a straight size EU 36 with no adjustments. The only change I made to the construction was to do the neck binding in my normal, folded way, rather than turned to the inside. Just because I generally prefer the look of it.
The recommended hem allowance for this top is 1 5/8", but because I'd only purchased 1.5 yards of this fabric, I didn't have enough to add on any length at all for the hem, so this top turned out an inch or so shorter than it ought to be. I wish I'd had enough to make it slightly longer, which surprised me: Burda tops are usually far too long on me. I like this pattern enough that I'll be making it again, so for future versions I'll make them a bit longer.
I think this is a great little pattern. It's very similar to the Cation Designs Dolman Sleeve Top, but without the waistband and with longer sleeves and deeper dolmans. I was going to say that this is a good pattern if you like the Cation top but were sized out, because when I traced my Cation pattern it was only available in one size. But as I linked it up, I saw that Cindy has expanded the range of sizes!
Here's how this one looks:
A closer look:
And check out how long the sleeves are! I do have short-ish arms, but still! Funny! You can barely see the tips of my right fingers at the bottom.
I paired it with these coated spinel earrings I made a few years ago - one of my fave pairs:
And finally, here's your little bit of silliness - click on the picture below for a fun suprise!
Sssssssssssssssssss!!
So, so cute! I love this on you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sonja!
DeleteThis is the second version of this top I've seen blogged about today. Your version is lovely.
ReplyDeleteThose earrings are beautiful. I'd love to make jewellery, but think I've got enough going on as it is!
I know - I giggled when I saw it on Winnie's blog this morning!
DeleteThank you! I used to make a lot of jewelry (as a job and for myself) but haven't really done it since we moved here 4 years ago. I miss it!
As a "blonde" I cannot really wear this colour scheme close to my face - but I LOVE it. I think this top is excellent on you. I like the length. I like the pattern with your skin tone. I don't see the plum tones either, honestly, but I think you were very smart to buy it!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I try not to wear black next to my face either, as it washes me out. Grey is OK though. But in the end I just couldn't pass up this print - I'm a sucker for snake!
DeleteGoodness, 2 great versions of this top in one day, yours and Winnie's. It's a super pattern and I love your fabric :)
ReplyDeleteIsn't that funny?! It is a super pattern!
DeleteI love it when you're silly! You go, Mama, sss...
ReplyDeleteHahaha - thanks! I think you might be the only one whoe noticed! My first GIF ever, not the greatest, but fun anyway. Cracked myself up!
DeleteI like this one a lot. The clingy-ness around the waist/hips is flattering and I like that you can wear the sleeves a few different ways. And those earrings!! I LOVE those!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa! I made so many versions of this design. These are my second favorite - my first favorite were made with rubies :-)
DeleteI just about fell off the chair laughing at your anaconda impersonation - awesome! You know, I do remember the plum undertones in that fabric and that is exactly why I did not buy it! Had it been a straight black and gray I would have but mauve-y/plum shades wash me out. Gosh, those sleeves are long, but they do look great pushed up. It looks great on you Gail, and you really are busting out some great makes for Jungle January!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I have to give Hubby credit for coming up with that idea!
DeleteI still can't see the plum, but it could be the lighting around here. I have one, possibly two more JJ makes up my sleeve. Fingers crossed!
i love this top! you're killing me with the animal prints, i need some of those on my sewing table!
ReplyDeleteYou do! Everybody does! They are the best!
DeleteYou are too funny! I thought this was the same top as Winnie's. Great minds think alike, right? This looks great on you. I keep thinking I have to get ALL the patterns after I see them on your blog. I'm still far behind, but I did manage to cut into my snake print fabric tonight!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shar! I do recommend this pattern, so I guess I'm an enabler again!
DeleteVery pretty! The print looks fantastic on you. I love the earrings too :D
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kristin!
DeleteOMG. Your GIF! It's the best! I think the sleeves are much better the way you modified them!
ReplyDeleteWait? Did you modify them?
DeleteThank you! I was so proud of myself for making a GIF!
DeleteNo, I didn't modify the sleeves - they are awesome like this all on their own! I only changed up the neck binding - I like how this kind looks, and it's the easiest for me to do :-)
Hahaha! Funny GIF!
ReplyDeleteI love the shirt - I see the plum! :) Also - earrings. Love. Need!
Why can everyone see the plum but me?! But I believe . . .
DeleteThank you, Eleyna!
LOVELY! The shape and the fbaric, oh my the fabric!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I wish you could feel the fabric - it's lusciously soft, almost sueded.
DeleteGreat shirt! I loooove the video, made me laugh out loud!
ReplyDeleteHahaha, thanks, Kim!
DeleteI really love this top & fabric. I do think the length is perfect though as is. Cheers & Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz!
DeleteGreat top! Makes me wish I hadn't dropped my Burda subscription, I love super-slouchy long sleeves. Those earrings are really cool too -- you've got some real jewelry-designing talent!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Every year I think about dropping my subscription, and then I renew :-) Lately I've been using the magazine patterns quite a bit though, so I'm glad I kept it up!
DeleteLoving the finished product! I've always been a fan of animal print, giraffe, zebra, leopard, but now, since I've purchased snakeskin stretch twill, I cannot wait to make my 'jeans' out of it! There is something very textural about the snakeskin pattern that makes me want to feel it, even though I know there is no actual texture, lol.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Catja! Your jeans sound so amazing - can't wait to see them!
Delete