I bought 'Sew' magazine and got a free New Look pattern. Who doesn't like that?! So I thought I'd use it to make myself a velvet t-shirt/top. I also found some teal coloured stretch velour in John Lewis and bought some of that. It was my first time sewing velvet/velour but I didn't have much of a problem sewing this up. Then again, my walking foot is permanently attached to my sewing machine so that probably helped a lot. I didn't want machined hems so I hand stitched the sleeve and body hems.
Can you imagine using bias tape to finish the neck on this?! There lies insanity! I drafted some front and back neck facings and used some iron-on stretch jersey interfacing. And do you know what? It was absolutely fine and didn't show any flattening of the pile. Maybe that shows how resilient polyester is! I would not treat silk velvet in that way.
What I didn't do, and I put this down to my laziness so this is entirely my fault, I didn't do a full bust adjustment and I really should have. I used the overlocker for most of the seams and inserted the sleeves flat as I always do if it's humanly possible. I also used a clear crystal vintage button from my button tin at the back neck. However the neck is large enough, and the fabric has some stretch, so I can pull it over my head. That's just as well because the rouleau loop I successfully managed to turn inside out (using that strange wire-tool-with-a-hook-at-the-end) for the first time ever in my life, is too bulky to stay closed over the button. So I sewed the button loop almost closed.
Do I like this top? It's ok. I haven't worn it since these photos but it's been very cold here in Edinburgh so that's not a surprise. I also think I've gone off the fabric too. However, I will use this pattern again though, and make myself do an FBA. There is always space in my wardrobe for a good top pattern!
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