With the leftover fabric from my last Kwik sew attempt, I made another one, but you don't want to see that because it looks exactly like the previous one, only smaller, because I cut the whole thing down a size.
This version, however, looks nothing like the previous kwik sew attempt. As soon as I saw the fabric I'm thinking it had Westie chic written all over it. For the non-cognoscenti, this from Wikipedia:
The westie persona:
...This stereotype depicts people from the outer suburbs as unintelligent, undereducated, unmotivated, unrefined, lacking in fashion sense, working-class or unemployed. Clothing such as flannelette shirts, Ugg boots, and leopard-print fabric are associated with the stereotype, as are the "uniform" of black t-shirt and ripped jeans.[3] Clothing associated with the female westie includes jeans with tassels and tight-fitting tops, often white.
And lo! Wearing a hat all day has almost given me a mullet.
To get the good fit you now see on this top, this is what I did to the pattern. I cut it to a medium and did a one inch FBA splitting the dart between the side, the armhole and the shoulder. This gave me a super tiny dart which I could then ease into the side seams without gathering stitches. For this top I manipulated the dart to the hem and then gathered onto the band. I cut 3 inches off the bottom of the pattern and doubled it lengthwise to form the band which I then neatened and slanted at either ends so it could be tied. I didn't remove the seam allowance, which I should have actually, because it's slightly too long - you can see it has rippled up on the back.
But please note, no back fat! (if a tee is too tight it'll cling to the rolls, yes sad but true that one must consider these things) So now the front and back of the tee fit well.
I twin needled the front band to keep the seam lying down, as well as the hems on the sleeves to keep them stretchy.
To complete the look, I'd need some white stretch jeans - just as well I'm expecting a parcel in the post from Jalie!
Costings: thread $3.80, tracing paper $1, fabric, $8, Global Fabrics sale = $12.80
Phew, that was quick. Superb fit alright, neckline sits really well and it does just glide over your back beautifully, rolls and all. If you don't mind a personal comment that's a great haircut. (I've managed to get in early for a change before I'm out commented.)
ReplyDeleteI am gobsmacked. You have gone where I have never dared...you have cut up a kwiksew pattern, ignoring all those very LOUD instructions to trace it off. You have overcome the stiff paper imploring you to let it remain as one piece. I think I need a sit-down and a cup of tea.
ReplyDeleteVery nice! I have a simplicity pattern that is similar (scoop neck, waist tie) but is for a woven. I really like this in a knit. I might have to head over to Kwik Sew and check it out!
ReplyDeleteThat's very cute!! I had to further explore the definition of "westie". I was intrigued! So, it it the Aussie version of the American redneck? Perhaps not quite there, hey?
ReplyDeleteI like the use of the word "twinneedled" as a verb.
ReplyDeleteAnd as a true westie would say about your top "we salute you" (AC/DCisms running hot after the concerts last week)
Who'd have thought that getting in touch with your inner westie could look so good? ;-)
ReplyDeleteNow all we need to do is tweak the spelling of your name to make it "Just a but dufferent" ;-) (apologies to the non-kiwis who might not get this little bit of our vernacular ;-) )
Great top, and I think the westie-waistband looks brilliant.
J
that's a great looking top!
ReplyDeleteI so enjoy coming to your blog and reading your latest adventures!! Like Katie, I am going to assume that a Westie is the equivalent of an American redneck. Does the term refer to a part of the country? I am intrigued!! (Is somebody going to come along and shock us with a new definition of it?)
ReplyDeleteLook forward to the next post!
I agree with Katherine h. To cut into KwikSew pattern is just-very daring! You are such a rebel! That is a very becomming top. Love it. I must get in touch with my inner-westie also, as soon as I google it and find out what it is!
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