Pillowcase Sorbetto @ The White House feat. Sister :)

The month in Sorbetto Tops

No. 1

No. 2

No. 3

No. 4

No. 5*

The law of halves suggests that I make another scalloped hem don't you think?
But really, I think I have expired a bit on these tops. They're quick, easy and easily modified but I need another challenge. I'd like to make a skirt or dress ideally but I'll probably end up with whatever I can find for free. I've decided to abandon the Madeline Bloomers for now. I won't wear them and I don't have a buttonhole foot for the machine.

*After much deliberation No. 5 is officially a 'Jammie' top because the only other way it's wearable is under a cardigan. Boo failure.

Completed Sorbetto No. 5

Um...so I modified the Sorbetto pattern and well...I think I modified too much because the result is a little...off. First, I raised the neckline and extended the darts. I modified further by using 1" (instead of the customary 1/2") bias tape around the neckline and 1/4" around the armholes.
The trouble began when my darts did not line up to the top of the fabric. I had to eyeball them slightly off center. The 1" bias tape did not go as planned and stands up slightly with odd bunching/gaping in the back sort of like a strangle-collar gone terribly wrong. The larger neck tape also seemed to put stress on the armholes and even though I used 1/4" bias tape for them they still sort of flair up at the top. I think I may have needed to clip some curves before topstitching*. I am not ecstatic about the finished garment. It's just not that great and very...rectangular. I think it's wearable but more like work-out-in-the-garden/run-around-with-the-kids wearable. The kind of thing you wear when you expect to get dirty, sweaty and messed up. I am going to style it anyway just so it can be seen at its full potential.

Sorbetto No. 5
with
Modifications

* Despite some disappointing results, the upside to this project is that my topstitching is exceptional. I used contrasting navy thread to double topstitch the hem of the blouse as well as a single topstitch around the armholes. It looks very nice and even - which isn't surprising considering how many of these I have made in the last month.

Another Pillowcase Top

I am using another pillowcase to test my newest pattern modification to the Sorbetto Top. Last week when I was getting ready, I accidentally put one of my completed tops on backwards. Obviously it looked pretty wrong, but what struck my fancy was how nice the raised neckline looked. Almost a boatneck. So today I made another pattern with the neck darts meeting at a single central point and radiating out/downwards from a...raised neckline. I did not intend to sew much today but the weather is grey and rainy and I am cooped up indoors so it looks like another top is in the works. Pictures to follow if these mods are successful.

Here is the pillowcase fabric

Completed Sorbetto No. 4

This is the 4th Sorbetto top that I have finished. It is made with a 'linen-look' poly/cotton blend pillowcase that is completely liquid resistant - I know this because I spilled iced tea on it and the moisture beaded on the surface of the fabric then fell off without so much as a damp spot left behind. Odd but nice under the circumstance.

Anyway, since this is a repurposed pillowcase I initially left the hem as added length but it was too tight in the hips and kept bunching in the back - which is NOT a flattering look at all! - so I turned up the premade hem and then hand hemmed it so that all raw the edges are encased. I love it.

I wore it to work today and people were amazed that I not only made it, but made it out of a pillow case. It was complimented without my initiation and things like 'How did you do that?' and 'That is gorgeous!!' were uttered by coworkers and strangers alike when I revealed that it was handmade and repurposed. Here are the pics ( check out that glamorous 1950's 'Truly Regal' handmade pearl collar available here at Couture Panache ) obviously it was kind of a long day..

Pillowcase Sorbetto 

Truly Regal Pearl Collar

Sorbetto No 5

I am embarking on Sorbetto No. 5 (the 4th being that unfinished poly/sheer) this morning after a much needed coffee and cigarette. I modified the pattern, cut out the fabric AND cut my bias tape strips last night before bed so I am anticipating it will take me very little time to construct the blouse. I decided to start with that neutral/brown floral pillow case. I may end up Tea or Coffee dying the entire thing in the future but for now, just another Sorbetto. Instead of using the 10" by 10" square method for bias tape (there wasn't much left) I used the scraps to create bias strips (which I think I pretty accurately eyeballed) because I just think that fabric will look far better with matching rather than contrasting bias tape.

I realized that with all these cotton and linen floral Sorbetto Tops around I have unwittingly created A Proper Southern Ladies Wardrobe. Living briefly in the midwest brought TONS of new, beautiful clothes but now that I am back where I belong (in the sticky, humid south) I need different fabrics (cotton, linen & silk) rather than sheer poly blends and jersey knits. Even the little genteel florals play the part and look stunning with a set of pearls; going effortlessly from garden party to baptism without skipping a beat. Plus the fabrics wick moisture away from the body while the cut allows that nice Savannah breeze to cool me off. I love it. In fact, I'm obsessed with this idea right now. Lawdy I declare I had to make 4 before I realized it.

Here's a blog I just discovered that I like.

Southern Lady Blog: http://southernwoman.wordpress.com/

Vintage Inspired Fabric

Tomorrow I am going to stock up on more linen pillow cases at my favorite thrift store. A dollar buys me about 5 of these babies so....many new shirts blouses on the horizon.

Also, I began work on that poly/sheer 'mid-life-crisis' print top (lets call it a 'blouse' or 'shell' from now on). Turns out the print/color is actually pretty...okay. Here's the downside: Slippery, Sewing machine needle ripples the weave, Inability to create bias tape (without the maker) due to poor iron response, Difficult to cut (probably need weights). The upside is the shirt blouse I created - sans bias tape - is actually really nice and the inverted pleat really suits the drape of the fabric. I hope to find some dark cotton or linen to use as bias tape for it.

Pictures later.