Friday 25 May 2018

Sailor Top by Fancy Tiger Crafts

This month my Minerva sewing project has a real summer feel. I have wanted the Sailor top pattern by Fancy Tiger Crafts for a long time. It ticked a lot of boxes for me: it had sleeves, it came over my stomach, it had a flattering neckline, it had a style I see in shops a lot which I really like.




The fabric I chose deserves a thorough review. It is unusual and when you see it here, it has some details which you might not pick up from the website listing. This fabric is however really inexpensive at only £3.99 a metre.



Firstly it is worth mentioning that the applique design is not sewn to the edges, this is fine for me but you have to check you don't get them folded over if they are on the side seam. Also the circles are not all over, they are a border arrangement which makes for fun pattern placement.


The hem is over locked on a wave. Some pattern jiggling is required here. I was not sure at the cutting stage what I would plump for so I made sure I allowed enough to have the original edge as the hem or turn it up and sew across the circles. I cut a UK 12 and graded out for for more hip room (you can see that on the left hand side of the pattern). It is a modification I am always mindful of making.


The applique pattern also needs to be centred and well placed for a blouse, I didn't want to have two nipple circles! The fabric is a light cotton lawn and is a little see through but I have a white bra so all is well. It also comes in a strong royal blue.

Pattern wise it had clear instruction and was easy to follow. The neckline needs care and attention. I put mine on twice. The second time I marked the dots and notches (doh!) because I had too much gather on the sleeve and not enough across the back leading to Edwardian style sleeves and a tight feeling across my back. The second time was so much better and comfortable to wear.


Modifications

In the end I went for a sloping front to back hem line which sat just where I wanted in all the right places - that is why we make clothes for ourselves isn't it? I sewed the sleeve hem facings on the outside so that I could have the thread detail on show. 

I loved messing around with the different aspects of the fabric but if you get some, ensure you take your pattern placement into account so that you have enough yardage. A very successful pattern. 

In the meantime I made another without french seams to check the sizing. This one has a better fit around the arms and has been a hit worn with trousers and jeans before high Summer.


On this one I took a tiny wedge out of the back band to avoid a little gaping I had on the white one.


This fabric is a thicker cotton so it will have more outings during the year. I had been trying to use this fabric since last January when a friend gave it to me in a bag of unwanted haberdashery but never found the right pattern - I have now.

 

2018 Indie pattern thoughts
I really liked this pattern but it is a wallet buster. It is however a pretty timeless shape and style so it will get lots of use. The sizing felt right for me and the instructions were great. I am looking at the rest of the range - maybe one for my Christmas list! There is a free download for a jersey top if you are interested which you can find here which I am going to have a go at in Autumn.

We are off to France for a well earned break tomorrow for a week and the white one is now in my suitcase. Just off to find a portable knitting project for poolside relaxation. Thanks for dropping by Jo xxxxx

16 comments:

  1. Lovely fabric choices for that pattern. Have a nice break. x

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  2. Lovely sailor top and such unique fabric, will go with so many things and hangs so nicely. If you don't want your bra showing through on light fabrics, a nude bra is perfect...white on white still shows through a lot I find. Cant wait to see what you knit on poolside :)

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  3. Lovely top and I would also agree with Happymum that nude bras work well with white tops, white ones still show especially if they are lacy.

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  4. Both tops are fabulous and look very wearable. Enjoy your holiday break and come back refreshed and raring to go.

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  5. Love them especially the white one xxx have a lovely break xx

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  6. I got that pattern as a download when I did a free trial for creative bug a couple of years ago. I think I wrote all the instructions down as they were not made available although the pattern was. It is the same design except the hem line is straight. I loved the pattern but I've never done it because I hate pdf's and all the messing about you have to do, so free or not it's never got done.

    The option to view it is still here https://www.creativebug.com/classseries/single/sew-a-sailor-top?
    but I don't know if you can still download the pieces.

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    1. Ooh thanks. will try it out.

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    2. The link takes you to the creative bug website and there is a download for the PDF which you could use as a free trial. It is safe. Thanks

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  7. Very nice! I have this pattern too, and it was going to be my first-ever self-sewn garment, but I'm having trouble finding a good material for it. I wanted double-gauze, but it's so expensive, and I'm not experienced enough with knits to use them. You did a great job. I laughed about the nipple circles because I would have done that, just slapping them on without thinking, and then my husband would point and laugh at me and I'd run away crying...I've clearly given this too much thought. :)

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    1. Hi Jennifer - jumping in on the conversation. You can use anything for this top, I have made it it with many different fabrics, including jersey and it always is a winner. I have even used quilting cotton and it was great. Easy to sew with also. x

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  8. Both tops look absolutely gorgeous on you, Jo! And I love the appliques, they add a certain something to the top.
    Amalia
    xo

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  9. These are two cracking Sailor tops! I just love this pattern, have made one every year ever since I started making clothes. The neckline is a bit of a faff but it is oh so worth it. Love your fabric choices, too. I just realise I haven't made one this year yet! Off to rummage in my fabric box. Did you know this fabric works well for jersey, too? There's my long weekend sorted! xx

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  10. First have a really wonderful trip. Off to France sounds so exotic from way over here in the States. Enjoy your trip and enjoy wearing that wonderful top.

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  11. Thanks for this. I just found the pattern and agree it is very expensive. But I think it will be my next birthday pressie. Your tops have turned out lovely and are just the type of thing I would wear.

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  12. They both look fabulous, I love what you did with the pattern on the white one, very inventive. Have a lovely holiday. x

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  13. These are both so lovely! They really suit you too and I’m sure you’ll be able to get a lot of wear out of them. I love the white fabric so much, I might copy some kind of appliqué like that! Have a lovely holiday.

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