The “Not So Fast” Top
The Facts
Fabric: Thrifted polyester, $5; discarded men’s shirt
Pattern: Colette Sorbetto
Year: Contemporary
Notions: Bias tape, 10 cents
Time to complete: about 5 hours
First worn: To the park with my family
Wear again? I wish I could say yes, but it needs to be reworked again. I like the idea, though.
Total price: $5.10
For no very good reason, I’m a little buttonhole-averse (and it was a relief, reading through the introductions, to know I am not the only one). So, I wanted a pattern this week in which the buttonholes were the only complication – no set-in sleeves, no fussy collar.
None of my patterns really met the criteria, so I decided instead to add a placket to the Sorbetto tank. There are some examples online, and I was all set to follow one when I remembered a sweater I used to have in which the buttonholes were sewn into a piece of grosgrain ribbon, and I thought, “Oh, that would be even easier.”
It was a promising start, anyway.
I cut and assembled the top as directed, turning the front piece into two. Then I spent what felt like a month cutting and gathering bias strips, basting the ruffle to my ribbon and attaching the resulting “placket” to the front of the blouse. It was turning out well, I thought.
With nothing left but the buttonholes, I was feeling pretty confident. Still, I figured it would be smart to practice on some leftover ribbon. Good thing I did – It took a lot of adjusting to find the right settings. After that, the first couple of buttonholes were a breeze. Why had I been avoiding buttonholes?
When it came to the third one, though, the machine completely chewed up the ribbon. Had I been working with higher quality ribbon, I might have been able to salvage it, but as it was, the thing was totally irreparable. So disappointing.
I didn’t have it in me after that to try again with a new piece of ribbon. Instead, I cut a section from the front of a shirt my husband had thrown out and sewed it, Frankenstein-style, into my blouse.
I’m glad I finished, and I think I can get the blouse into wearable shape. I also don’t feel so anxious about buttonholes anymore, so there’s that.
That’s so pretty with the little frills. I really like red and white together.
Great save Jenn, and a cute top
Thanks so much for saying so. I’ve been cringing over it a little, having seen everyone’s beautiful work this week.
What a great top! I love the polyester print – it reminds me of coffee beans!
I love the print of your fabric. The whole ensemble looks great!
I like the print too – the ribbon I had planned to use was striped, and I wanted something geometric to go with it. But I didn’t want to be heartbroken if the top was a disaster in the end, so this fabric worked well. (I think it’s probably meant to be a lining??)
The print is super cute and nice work on the improvised ribbon! Nicely done :D
Bravo on the save!
I love how you hijacked a men’s shirt to complete this challenge, that’s real determination. :)
The red piping and ruffles ‘make’ your sorbetto pretty and unique.
What a great save! That took some creative thinking to fix it with your hubbie”s shirt. I admire your perseverance.
Great little top. While it was a shame that the ribbon didn’t work on this occasion, that was a very clever fix. I do like the ruffles too.
The top is beautiful. I hope your next experience with buttonholes is much better.
I like that save too; it reminds me a bit of what Carolyn has been doing with men’s tailored shirts (http://handmadebycarolyn.blogspot.com/).
Even if you aren’t 100% happy, I think it looks great and you’ve give us all some ideas…….
It’s a great save – I love the fabric you chose!
The top looks lovely – good save!
It is a cute take on the Sorbetto! I’ve done lots of buttonholes and still have trouble with them, but I’m really glad Mena got everyone started learning them, they are invaluable.