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Thursday, April 10, 2014

Thrifty Thursday

Whew!! I'm getting this one in by the skin of my teeth!
I am absolutely in love with this week's free pattern. It's the second pattern from Tessutti that I wanted to try out. It is so very simple to make, only 2 pattern pieces. It took me about 20 minutes to tape the pattern together, so not long at all, and it took less than an hour to sew it up. I did make a few minor changes to the pattern. As you can see, mine is not a top and I added a tie belt which threads through 2 openings that I added to the front piece of the garment. So the belt wraps around my waist on the inside of the garment.

 The back has a beautiful drape and I love the dip of the side seams.
To make the belt openings, I first tried the piece on and marked where I wanted the openings to be. Then I cut 2 rectangles which I reinforced with fusible interfacing. I then serged around the raw edges and placed them on the right side of my fabric, stitched my desired opening, and then cut the opening. I then turned the rectangles to the back side of the dress, pressed and then stitched in place.   
 The pattern is one size fits all. Here you can see it without the tie belt.
 From the side.
To lengthen the pattern, I cut it apart as you can see below and spread it the amount I wanted for my desired length.
In order to save fabric, I did not cut the back on the fold. I turned the back upside down so that the shoulder seams are together and I added a seam allowance to center back. Saved a ton of fabric.
The pattern is called Our Fave Top. It's now a fave of mine too! Adding the length to the pattern makes it great with leggings or tights. And adding a belt as I did gives the waist a little more definition which I really like. If you would like to download a pattern for yourself, you can find it here,  http://www.tessuti-shop.com/products/our-fav-top. I think I'll be making a few more of these for summer. Easy to put on and breezy to wear, what more can you ask?
Come back by tomorrow as I am planning to debut the top I made last week with a super simple Free Pattern Friday skirt.
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25 comments:

  1. Linda TApril 10, 2014 at 9:06 PM

    Really cute! Your version as a tunic/dress looks great on you, and I'd have never thought to put the front/back together at shoulder. Ingenious! This one will go on the list to try for sure.

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    1. RhondaBussApril 10, 2014 at 9:42 PM

      Hey Linda! There is still a seam at the shoulder. But cutting the pattern like I did saved a great deal of fabric. I only had 2 yards and I wanted it to be dress length, so I had to make it work ;)

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  2. BabsoxApril 10, 2014 at 9:51 PM

    Great dress. Love the fabric. What is it?

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    1. RhondaBussApril 10, 2014 at 10:21 PM

      Thanks! It's a knit. The pattern calls for a knit. To be honest though, the only reason to use a knit is because the bottom portion of the sleeve is rather fitted. If you were to add a little ease to the bottom of the sleeve, you could use a woven.

      Delete
  3. UnknownApril 11, 2014 at 12:17 AM

    Thank you for making and posting about that pattern AND for making it as a tunic length...I love it!!! And thank you for the pattern link...I have it to download.

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    1. RhondaBussApril 11, 2014 at 1:53 PM

      Thanks so much Judi. Like I said, I am loving this piece. I want to make at least one more. It's one of those garments that looks good and feels good on.

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  4. JudithApril 11, 2014 at 5:35 AM

    You certainly have an eye for transforming a pattern into something so creative ~ love your take on this pattern ... J

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  5. UnknownApril 11, 2014 at 10:48 AM

    Wait a minute. I do have that pattern but you have made it even more amazing! I love what you did to it, what a great interpretation!

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  6. Mother of ReinventionApril 11, 2014 at 1:35 PM

    The top was nice but your dress is loads nicer. Lovely fabric too. Thank you for sharing another pattern.

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    1. RhondaBussApril 12, 2014 at 7:38 AM

      Such a lovely compliment, thank you :) I am really enjoying finding the patterns and giving them a try.

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  7. Barbara at Cat Fur StudioApril 11, 2014 at 4:36 PM

    That is fabulous!

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    1. RhondaBussApril 12, 2014 at 7:39 AM

      Thanks Barbara! This would look fabulous on you. So nice to hear from you. Come to Chicago, we miss you :)

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  8. VickiApril 12, 2014 at 4:11 PM

    Very clever. Love it with the leggings and your shoes are pretty cute too.

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    1. RhondaBussApril 13, 2014 at 12:33 PM

      Thanks Vicki! The shoes are Isabel Toledo. I got them for a great price and wish I had purchased a second pair for when the first wears out!

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  9. GailApril 12, 2014 at 10:51 PM

    That's really clever. I love the belted front, leaving the back fluid.

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    1. RhondaBussApril 13, 2014 at 7:00 AM

      Thanks Gail :) The best thing about it is how great it feels to wear it.

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  10. Marina von KoenigApril 14, 2014 at 11:08 PM

    This is brilliant! I am in love with your dress and absolutely want to make it as well. I was just looking forward for an easy project to make!

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    1. RhondaBussApril 15, 2014 at 7:18 AM

      Hi Marina,
      If you want an easy project, this is it!!! I think it will look wonderful on you.

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  11. Sew SisterApril 15, 2014 at 12:01 AM

    I like the top tunic length looks really good on you :) Fabric is nice I like the design.

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    1. RhondaBussApril 15, 2014 at 7:19 AM

      Thanks so much :) I am very happy with how it turned out.

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  12. ColetteApril 19, 2014 at 7:27 PM

    Thank you RhondaBuss for reviewing our patterns! I love your modifications to the Fave Top, to create a fabulous and striking dress. We've had a spike in interest for this pattern since your review.
    best regards from Australia
    Colette

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    1. RhondaBussApril 19, 2014 at 7:53 PM

      Hi Colette, I'm so happy that I was able to send a little attention your way. I too love the Fave pattern and will be making another over the summer. Hopefully I'll be able to steer a little more attention your way. You have a fabulous site and fabrics!

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