Worn with my Style Arc Laura Leggings.
It's high time I made another Au Bonheur pattern! I actually made this top over the three day weekend. It took longer to alter than to make - it's a quick and easy sew. I was planning to make a second one, a non-black version, easier to see on the blog, but I couldn't identify a fabric I wanted to use, so here's the black version. The fabric is a very stretchy rayon-lycra from Fabrix.
Even if you don't have a stable of Au Bonheur patterns, many of the creative ideas, such as the hem on this tee, can be applied to other patterns.
This pattern is a simple tee, with four knotted points at the hem. It is sleeveless with a scoop neck. The four points of the hem are formed thanks to a pattern piece they call the Coté. Coté translates to "side", but I would call this piece a gusset - to me a side piece would extend up to the armscye. But, and get this, the gusset is shaped like...
the Eiffel tower! How French is that?!?! So cute!
I traced off the largest size, a 54, and then made several changes:
- I preserved the scoop neckline, but I traced the shoulder, armhole, and width for the front and back from the Style Arc Adele. This meant that I ended up with a bustline that had 4" of negative ease - it's less boxy than the original. I like negative ease with a highly stretchy fabric.
- I used the long sleeve from the Adele.
- I left the hem raw.
- I used the same finish on the neckline that I used on this Liberty pullover.
- I shortened the sleeves by 1.5" and hemmed them by hand.
Conclusion:
I really like this simple and easy tee! I definitely will make more, once I have identified more fabrics.
One other thing I wanted to mention. I created a separate page, French Sewing Resources and Au Bonheur Gallery. I want to keep these resources alive and, in fact, added more clarifications to the glossary when I made this top. This page is available at the top of every page in my blog, along with the Tablecloth Skirt page. Enjoy!
More Pictures
Tres magnifique! I have several RTW tops with this treatment and love them. Yours is very attractive...good balance of kookiness and wearability. Brava for keeping the pattern line alive!
ReplyDeleteOh, Margy, even from deep in Ethiopia, you are reading blogs!!! :D (Glad you are staying off Italian cruise ships. ;)
Deleteshams, that is a cute tee, and after showing us the Eiffel Tower gusset, I really want to make this. (My To Sew list is getting a bit too long)
ReplyDeleteWe are getting snow, snow, snow here in OR. WA is getting hammered too. Is it raining in the Bay Area?
Thanks, Mary. It is not raining here and has not rained for months. But we are supposed to get some rain soon!
DeleteThe top looks so comfy! I love the gussets and knots.
ReplyDeleteShams, what a great wardrobe builder with a twist. You are the best at that! I want to try adding a little Eiffel Tower gusset too - love the knots.
ReplyDeleteVery cute! Don't you love how people come up with these simple but effective ideas!
ReplyDeleteA very nice Tshirt! I love the little knots a very simple, clever and effective detail, one I've filed away from a few of my own RTW reccies too (reconnaissance). Will probably copy... :)
ReplyDeleteI love this top on you. Had to laugh at.your comment to Margy, as I am 12000 miles from home and still catching up with blog reading.
ReplyDeleteVery nice! The knots are a great little touch that makes it more than just a basic.
ReplyDeleteA new twist--and it's t-riffic! We're always looking for a new look for a T. I'm thinking a knotted neckline would look good with the hem knots.
ReplyDeleteWonderful, simple detail - those knots at the hem.
ReplyDeleteYou look great and French!!! And thank you in advance for the ABPM and French resources. I am certain I will need them one day soon!
ReplyDeleteVery cute, Shams! Since the pattern company is defunct and I would need to redraft the entire shoulder/armhole area anyway, I'm so glad you showed us the shape of the Eiffel Tower gusset...er, I mean Coté. Thank you! I just may try my own version. I really like the original sleeveless top too. Wearable but with a twist - my favourite!
ReplyDeleteAdorable top. Looks great on you. I love the Eiffel Tower gusset! What a good idea also to make a small pattern bigger around the tummy and hips. Very flattering top.
ReplyDelete