06 Apr Style Arc Straight Up
“Good with spandex” caught my eye on Style Arc ‘s Diana pattern page while I was writing my last post. Since I had a little spandex left over from this endeavor, and since I knew another Diana top was only an hour away, I headed back to the sewing machine .
Ummmmmmmmmmmmmm……………..
Well, it only took an hour. It was “free” so to speak. The colors are great …………… OK, it’s all good but I’m not sure it’s me.
Maybe if I was twenty years younger.
Let me just say I would have never bought this low-cut, body-hugging top had I had a chance to try it on first. Of course IF I was shopping, I would have bought more of the same, and I recognize this inadvertent wardrobe assortment as one of the beauties of sewing. I now own all kinds of things I would have never bought – maybe because they don’t exist anywhere but in my closet, but maybe because I was ready for a change.
Some of the clothes I’ve made are great and some are so-so, but they all represent my greatest efforts of escaping the rip-off, I mean the retail scene which was sucking me into a spending frenzy.
I’m likely to be more comfortable wearing the Diana top like this:
but maybe I’ll get some unexpected daughter approval and wear it the way Style Arc designed it with no frills or ruffles – just straight up.
Best wishes for a great weekend and Happy Easter to all who are celebrating!
chicenvelopements
Posted at 14:05h, 06 AprilI think you look beautiful, but if the low cut neckline makes you uncomfortable, what about layering some other sleeveless camisoles underneath?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:49h, 06 AprilThank you. The photo is more flattering than the reality. Fashion tape may be the answer here. ……. and spans.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:50h, 06 Aprilspanx
RoseOK
Posted at 14:17h, 06 AprilI like it with and without the sweater. From the picture, the scoop does not look that low. Can you adjust the shoulders any to lift the scoop?
Do you use only Stye Arc patterns?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:52h, 06 AprilThank you, Rose. Fashion tape may be the answer. There is no room for adjustments anywhere!!
I sew all patterns but I can certainly understand why you ask if I only use Style Arc. I’ve certainly been stuck on that company lately!
Lakaribane
Posted at 15:00h, 06 AprilDoesn’t look to low cut to me but you can trace the neckline higher. I know the Style Arc patterns come single size so what you could do is :
– take a piece of pattern paper or even muslin or lawn and trace the existign neckline of the pattern.
– Mark CF
– Slide the paper to the height you want. I usually measure a top with the neckline height I want, to have an idea by wearing it and measuring from the waist up. Note that measurement.
– Pin, glue or tape your new neckline at the chosen height.
– True the neckline ie make the neckline smooth btw the original pattern and your “fix-it” piece.
Tada!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:53h, 06 AprilAh…… thank you so much for this! I’ll give it a try next go around. 🙂 The photo is more flattering than the reality!
Lakaribane
Posted at 15:01h, 06 AprilAdditional note: I mark CF so I can keep both the “fix-it” and the original pattern properly aligned with one another.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:55h, 06 AprilGot it – thanks!!
Lakaribane
Posted at 15:31h, 06 Aprilme again! Look at this post, illustrating what I tried to explain (the first part):
http://alittlesewing.blogspot.com/2012/04/pattern-alterations-on-front-knit-tops.html
Sew serendipity or what?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:57h, 06 AprilMany thanks, again! I love Robin at A Little Sewing and have seen some of her other alteration tutorials, but not this one!! 🙂
Pauline Droy
Posted at 15:46h, 06 AprilI love it both with and without the cardi, but it looks great on you, so not quite sure why you are worried – as normal another great outfit.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:59h, 06 AprilHi Pauline and thank you. The neckline is very low and the picture is more flattering than the reality. I think fashion tape may be the answer for the neckline.
Carolyn
Posted at 16:09h, 06 AprilI agree with the others! I like this with and without the cardigan. You look fabulous!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:00h, 06 AprilThanks, Carolyn! I guess I just don’t feel so comfortable in it but fashion tape may be the answer!
heidilovesgunther
Posted at 16:51h, 06 AprilI’ve never seen you before (I just clicked through from PR) but I have to say – twenty years younger? pffft! This top looks fantastic on you! 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:17h, 06 AprilHow nice and thank you for the comment….. I don’t know – maybe there comes a time when raising the neckline might be more flattering 🙂 for now fashion tape may be the answer!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:45h, 09 AprilThank you so much! I just don’t usually wear LOW-CUT and TIGHT FITTING but I’ll give it a try with a little fashion tape!
Carol
Posted at 16:58h, 06 AprilI’m in agreement with everyone else too. You look great. I would love to look like you do in that top. Make more!!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:41h, 09 AprilMany thanks, Carol! The photo is more flattering than the reality I’m afraid. I did however, buy some fashion tape that seems to do the trick!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:04h, 06 AprilAhh thanks!! The photo is more flattering than my true appearance and like I said….. it’s just not my usual style 🙂
Valerie
Posted at 19:25h, 06 AprilThe top looks good on you but if the neckline shows a little too much in reality maybe a partial ruffle from leftover material might help?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:40h, 09 AprilHi Valerie,
Good to hear from you! Fashion tape has thankfully come to the rescue!
nancy
Posted at 19:38h, 06 AprilThe one thing my daughters, age 29 and 31, have told me (over and over, because I require convincing) is that this sort of garment is actually MORE flattering. You already know how to do those pattern alterations, so listen to the daughter voice – she (they?) knows!
Nancy
P.S. i’m very much enjoying your adventure!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:39h, 09 AprilThank you for writing Nancy! My daughters have guided me through a lot of wardrobe choices and I’m eagerly awaiting their opinions on this one! (they need to see me in the actual top vs. a photo) 🙂
Calico Stretch
Posted at 21:36h, 06 AprilYou know I really like this top and the version with the ruffles. Both suit you and, frankly, you have the figure so can wear the lower neckline without worry. That being said I know how it feels wearing something lower than normal – easy to feel self conscious. I have my self conscious days, kinda like bad hair days :o)
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:35h, 09 AprilMany thanks for the nice comment! I bought some fashion tape and it seems to work. Speaking of bad hair days, I wish the fix was as simple as buying a package of tape 🙂
Cheryl Fontenot
Posted at 22:47h, 06 AprilThis is your excuse to buy (hey, a girl’s gotta do a LITTLE shopping now and then…) a fabulous statement necklace! Something with lots of beads like they’re showing in all the mags would cut down on that ‘exposed’ feeling (which I totally understand!). The top looks like a great cut and fit – if I’m ever brave enough to tackle anything more than straight line sewing of simple valences, I’m going to look at Style Arc!
Happy Easter to you and yours!
xx
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:34h, 09 AprilThank you, Cheryl! Style Arc patterns are really nice, well-cut pieces.
As for the top…….. I think fashion tape may do the trick here but I’m on the lookout for a necklace too!
Phil
Posted at 02:29h, 07 AprilI love the idea of a statement necklace suggested by Cheryl above, I agree it would look fabulous on you! But having said that I think most sewists make some things they just never feel ‘right’ in, so if you don’t find a fix, I wouldn’t feel bad. I recently completed a skirt with hand sewn trimmings that took me a whole day to make and fitted perfectly. . .I put it on and thought, “I will never wear this”. Too ditsy for my age (41). I hung it in my wardrobe for a couple of weeks to confirm my decision then donated it. I console myself that another (much ditsy-er) person is having fun wearing it right now. To get over the disappointment, I ran up one of my TNT tops and all is now well again in my sewing world. . .Happy Easter x
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:32h, 09 AprilThank you so much for the thoughtful comment! …… and sorry about your skirt.
We always take a chance when sewing and though I like the top just fine – you said it perfectly- I don’t feel “right” in it. Fashion tape should do the trick. I just bought a pack and it seems to work fine.
Hope you had a great Easter! 🙂
Maggie Edger
Posted at 14:05h, 07 AprilHey Niece – while you got it – keep on flaunting it. You look great. Another winner. A. Maggie
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:28h, 09 AprilThanks, Maggie. I don’t know about that….. it’s going quickly!
PendleStitches
Posted at 13:21h, 08 AprilI think this top looks amazing on you and you look beautiful in it. That said…I can completely relate to how something that you normally wouldn’t wear just feels a little bit off. It happens to me all the time. But I do believe that sometimes it’s good to push the boundaries of what we would normally wear to see what happens. At least next time you know what adjustments to make…and this is lovely on it’s own, or for more comfort with the cardigan. Or perhaps you could add a little trim to the bustline to make it more comfortable for you?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:26h, 09 AprilThank you very much for your comment! I think the photo is flattering to the top and fit. Fashion tape may be the answer here and a slightly raised neckline will be the answer on the next go around 🙂
ZoSews
Posted at 07:20h, 09 AprilHi there, I think this looks fabulous on you 🙂 I understand that feeling of ‘uncomfortable’ though. I usually force myself to wear the item a few times, them it gets banished to the back of the wardrobe…
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:47h, 09 AprilMany thanks for your comment. I’m going to give it a try with some fashion tape which I hope will provide the extra security I need in this top!
Tia Dia
Posted at 09:37h, 09 AprilI think they’re lovely tops – both this one and the ruffled one in your previous post. What a great top pattern – especially not having to get proper fit using darts. I don’t particularly think this top is so low on you, but then again some of the things I wear feel really low but look great. It’s a conundrum sometimes!
Art Attack
Posted at 11:23h, 09 AprilI love this top…just think it needs a big splash of orange!
Wow! Your Easter post on my blog was awesome! Don’t you love that Blooming 9 patch? I made one for my bed that is outstanding.
I have yet to order any Style Arc patterns but I have corresponded with Chloe regarding size and she advised me to size up. I would like to order both pant patterns you have made. I’m especially intrigued by the Leah Lounge Pant.
AND…any time now I should be receiving my first BRA kit from Bra-makers Supply. Have you seen Sigrid’s blog or PR posts on bra making? Others have made them, too, and I am blown away at how professionally finished they are. Sigrid and others say it is addictive…like I need more dope.
I wish our paths would have crossed sooner when I was living in Atlanta! We would have had a better chance of meeting. Maybe some day. I met Pauline (Pdiddly) from the UK when she was in Houston for business and it was so much fun.
Have a great week…talk soon…
dorcas
velosewer
Posted at 23:15h, 11 AprilYou’ve done a great job on this top. It looks great with or without the jacket.
Carolyn
Posted at 01:43h, 12 AprilOh, I think it is a gorgeous little top, and looks equally good with or without the cardigan. Could you add sleeves if you wanted?
Cynthia Willis
Posted at 13:12h, 04 FebruaryI was just perusing the SA site and saw your pics pop up in the description. Then I came to your blog and was glad i did. Thanks for your brutally honest comments regarding the neckline. I feel the same way, I like a v neck, but not a plunging one!