Stash busting ...

I have a sewing queue about 500 garments long, so instead of sewing anything I already have planned I made this top.  It's BWOF 03-07-120 lengthened by 5cm as I wanted to wear this over leggings.  The blue broderie anglaise is leftover from one of the first Burda dresses I ever sewed way back in 2002.  The dress is long gone (poorly made and bad fit) but this good size chunk of fabric has been in my stash ever since. 


If you follow the link to the line drawing, you will see that the hemline is curved but I wanted to use the edge of the fabric as the hem so the sides dip down when worn, which I like and have tops that were made that way.  The broderie is very sheer and I lined the original dress with a matching blue poplin.  For this top I lined to top half only and left the bottom unlined, which will be perfect for a sub-tropical summer.  The top in the magazine had two lengths of ribbon stitched under the bust for decoration and as I had a small piece of the border left I decided to sew that into the seam.  All things considered I am very pleased with this top, which is essentially a free garment (the thread was leftover, too).

If you look closely at the picture you might be able to see that the right side is actually pinned together.  The reason for this is that I have no zip and I don't mean I have no zip in my stash.  Spotlight (the only fabric store in Tasmania) has no 16inch blue invisible zips.  I am going to Melbourne next week for work, so I will try to get to Clegs.  If not, it will have to wait until I go home at christmas and can get to a real fabric store.  Have I mentioned how much I hate Spotlight?

Comments

Judith said…
I have the same problem with Spotlight - they seem to let their haberdashery stock run right out before thinking about putting an order in. Love your top, and super idea to use the edge for the hem - saved on hemming and adds interest to the top...J
December 2, 2012 at 6:38 PM
Anonymous said…
This is a lovely pretty top. Spotlight makes me mad.
-Sewingelle
December 2, 2012 at 9:23 PM
Faye Lewis said…
Gorgeous top! I keep forgetting that it's summer there, or is it still spring and sill be summer later this month. Either way I still find it amazing that you're clear on the other side of the earth and our seasons are opposite. As much as I enjoyed "World Geography" when I was in school, you'd think I'd know these things already - or at least remember more of what I studied. I'm rambling - but I still love your top and the color of the fabric!!!
December 3, 2012 at 6:20 AM
Janine said…
good use of stash - I love how even many years later I can find the perfect use for remnants - they are worth holding onto. That does seem incredible about the zips .
December 3, 2012 at 1:44 PM
Summer Flies said…
I love that top... the colour is beautiful. I love the little frill at the bust line.
December 3, 2012 at 10:03 PM
The Slapdash Sewist said…
I love the triumph of using up the last little bit of a special fabric. This looks like a lovely top for warm weather. Good luck finding a zipper!
December 4, 2012 at 3:31 AM
Kristy Chan said…
I can't imagine how annoying it would be to have only one fabric store near you! Hope you find your zipper and lots of other fab fabrics in all those great Melbourne stores I've been hearing about
December 5, 2012 at 2:03 PM
Carolyn said…
Your top looks lovely, but oh, that is terribly frustrating about the zip... I cannot imagine how annoying it would be. I am positive you will find everything and more you need in Melbourne; it is so fabulously stocked!! A good time to stash up!
December 14, 2012 at 2:31 PM
Anonymous said…
Happy New Year! I've nominated you for the One Lovely Blog/Very Versatile Blogger. The rules are in my last post...
January 8, 2013 at 12:41 AM
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