Thursday, July 4, 2013

Woven Tie Top in Black - Butterick 3250


Have you noticed? Tie tops are everywhere! It took me a minute to adjust to this style, having been very over it back in the 80s. I remember it was everywhere, but the iconic look showed a tie top over a leotard worn with tights and leg warmers.

Flashback to Olivia Newton John...

Now I am seeing tie tops all over the place - if you haven't noticed this trend yet, just look on Pinterest.

I purchased this striped skirt/dress several months ago - in April I think. (I plan to talk more about it in another post.) You can wear it as a skirt, doubling the wide waistband, or pull it up over the bust and wear it as a dress.

The days are long gone (if they ever existed) that I would wear a bandeau style, so I wanted to make some sort of coverup. I actually bought another pattern to make a knit coverup, then I lost it. Meanwhile, Margy made this tie top, using Butterick 3250, an OOP pattern for wovens.

(Ironically, I just checked the copyright on this pattern and it's dated 1985.)

I don't know about you, but I want most everything Margy makes, and this was no exception. I tracked down a copy of the pattern (which was in horrendous shape, but that's another story). The fabric was purchased a long time ago from FabricMart. Originally I had bought enough to make a voluminous skirt, but I decided to use it for this. The fabric is black with circles. The edges of the circles are raw and so they are a little frayed, creating a great texture. The entire fabric is also just-so-slightly glittery and transparent. It's 100% cotton (sans glitter) and very lightweight, almost like a voile.

I do not, as a rule, like glitter and shine, but I am getting used to it. Dare I say, I even like it? The dress has a silver thread running through the white stripe, so they complement each other. The cotton fabric is so soft - it makes me want to sing "The touch, the feel, of cotton. The fabric of our lives!"

This pattern sews up amazingly fast, with its dolman sleeves, cut on facings, and no buttons or buttonholes. I used the size 14, my new "standard" size, but there is lots of ease in the pattern. I didn't need to add any width for my bust, so I did a vertical only FBA. I added 1.5 inches in length, using a side seam dart.

Vertical only FBA. From the bust point, I angled the FBA down to the side seam. Had I kept it straight across, it would have ended in the armhole curve.

There is a pleat at center back.

I love this little top! I think I will be getting a lot of wear out of it.

39 comments:

  1. SPECTACULAR! Your long sewing weekend is only one day down, and you've already made TWO pieces! I love this top on you...I will try another one, lengthening it a little...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Another winner! You look fab!

    ReplyDelete
  3. wow. you must sew fast. I didn't get a chance to comment on your last post and you already have another garment made! Love this look on you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Amazing outfit. You look absolutely gorgeous! I missed out on the tie-front tops way back, so perhaps I should give one a try this time around.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Looking so good, Shams! And yes, I do want everything Margy makes. The skirt/dress combo looks so comfy and fun to wear.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Another winning look Shams. I can't keep up with all your creations these days and you are looking so FABulous in all of them.

    ReplyDelete
  7. You look amazing Shams - love the new top!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh, I want some of that fabric! sorry I missed it at FM. You are sewing up a storm. Looking great!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Another stunning outfit and you look wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  10. You are on a roll!!! Your new wardrobe is coming together beautifully.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Good looking little wrapper! and what super neat fabric. Looking good.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love this ensemble. Is it really true-tie tops are everywhere? I'll need to look more carefully. Yours is so cute.

    ReplyDelete
  13. You are looking so good. Love the outfit.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Those make a great outfit together. I'd never have guessed the date of the top pattern.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Stripes and dots. What a fun combo!

    Iris saw a poly tie blouse at Am Ap and asked me to make her one.

    ReplyDelete
  16. That's sharp- the thing I remember from the last tie-top era was the waist bulk- not on you- this is sleek and sharp- nicely done!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Looks spectacular! Love that combo of stripes and circles.

    ReplyDelete
  18. The fabric for this jacket is lovely. I love the sheerness of it.

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is another great outfit for your new shape. I now name you the Queen of FBA techniques!!! Thanks for sharing.

    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  20. Look at you pretty and twirling! You look gawgeous! XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  21. The shirt is a great summer cover up when you don't want to be so bare. Lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  22. You could twirl and sing the Cotton Song! That top is a total step up from the "tight tied sweater over leotards" look! It's very cute! And you look so cute and happy!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Super cute top. I hadn't noticed this tend. Will keep an eye out.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Fun fabric and top! And O.M.G. you look fabulous! How fun to sew for the 'new you'!!! An excuse for a good fabric buying spree if ever I saw one!

    Enjoy - looks great on you :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. I want every piece you and Margy make! You both are such accomplished sewists.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Oh wow, I love this whole outfit, and you in it! I swear you are looking younger and younger with your svelte figure. What a pity the pattern is out of print... most of the things I see YOU make I am immediately wanting to buy and make up just about everything I see you in! You temptress you!

    ReplyDelete
  27. This is a great look on you and can go from funky to bombshell with just a change of shoes.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Great outfit! I love tie tops -- I wear them regardless of whether they are on-trend or not! I just knit one that is similar to yours -- a bit of a collar and dolman sleeves (fixated on dolman sleeves at the moment)!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Lookin' fab girlfriend. Trending in the stripes and the cute little tie-top! You fashion-diva!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Love the jacket! Dress and jacket look good together.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Everything seems to suit you!

    ReplyDelete
  32. This jacket is so pretty and flattering on you! I love it with the dress.

    ReplyDelete