Monday, June 1, 2009

Am I busty yet?? Burda 06-2009 #102

This is BWOF 06-2009 #102. It's the pleated knit top in the newest issue of BWOF. The little sewing tip next to the pattern says, "The jersey top on the opposite page is particularly suited for women with a small bust, as the pleats add volume. Ladies with a large bust should topstitch pleat folds in place to prevent pleats from opening, thus reducing volume." When I read this, I thought, "Wow! I'll be busty when I wear this top! Wooo hoooo!" Well, I chose the wrong fabric. All in all, I really like the pattern but this one will be a wadder. I used a bamboo/lycra jersey. I've never used this fabric before. Does bamboo always wrinkle so badly? Out of the dryer, it was a mess. Ironing it made the edges curl like crazy. I should have known better than to try it with this top. This would be great as a thin layering t-shirt with no details. Putting the folds in almost killed me.

Okay, the nitty gritty. This top had two bodices. The pleats are done on the front version. There is also a dart tucked into those outer pleats. On the bodice lining there is no pleating but the dart is still there.


After you pleat your little heart out, you put the two layers together. You put them wrong sides together so you can sew the darts together. I assume this is to keep the two layers joined.



After pleating and joining the bodices, it's a piece of cake. Join the waist and peplum and attach to the bodice. I think the pattern has a lot of promise. I think I'll use a much more stable knit and make the dress version. This fabric was just too wimpy. I like the length on it. I didn't tack down the facing because I knew, at this point, I would be chucking this. I will be including the facing on the next go around. Since the bodice is lined, I can handsew the facing to the lining and it will be secure. You could just bind it but I like the look of no topstitching with all those pleats.



Here's a blow-up of that previous picture. You can see the pleats are unfolding themselves and sort of falling out of shape. Stitching the pleats closed would also help with this. I also *cough* forgot to do my shoulder to bust shortening too. That will help to make that area tighter. The v-neck is low but it'll be perfect once I do the 1/2" I usually do.



You can see the knit is stretched out in places.


So, no, I'm not busty yet but I'll get there. See where my shirt goes over my jeans? That's an indicator of how this this knit is. You can actually see the waistband of my jeans if you look closely.

I'll post this over at PatternReview.com too because I know there were several people wanting to make this top.

20 comments:

Amanda S. said...

Bummer! I love the color, though. You are always so quick to make the newest patterns from Burda. Thanks for the tip of using a stabler knit.

BConky said...

That stinks your fabric was crap. The color is so pretty. I want to make this for my daughter so will make sure and pick a more stable knit.

Lauren said...

What's funny is that even though this try was a wadder (sorry, that's a bummer) your rendition makes me want to make it more than the photos in the magazine did. Hmm. I recently made a top for my mom with a 100% bamboo knit and I had trouble with it too. Super thin and boy oh boy did it stretch out like crazy. I ended up having to use lots of elastic to make it work because it wouldn't keep its shape!

window dressing said...

The color is very nice on you and I envy how nice it drapes. You are so lucky to have a slender figure.

Arlene said...

Thanks for the heads up on fabric choice, I am looking to make this too. The color is great on you and I can see that the design would be good on you too, if in a different fabric!

gwensews said...

You are swo funny! The top is a good design, and at least you got somewhat of a fit. So, on to the next one. Good luck!

Christy said...

The top is cute and fabric color choice is very pretty. I was thinking about a stable knit as well when I make this top.
thanks for all the info on this top.

Robin said...

Thanks for the info! I recently bought some bamboo knit fabric online and was surprised at the "flimsiness" of it.

Paulette said...

The style is great....you could always finish it and just wear it around the house...hate to have you chuck all that work.

Carol said...

I love the colour on you. Shame it's a wadder. I had a similar experience recently. Nothing wrong with the fabric, I just used the wrong pattern for the fabric. I've never sewn with bamboo knit and after hearing what people say, I think I may give it a miss. Once you make this in a more stable knit, I think it will be a winner!

Anonymous said...

I was also drawn to the promise of busty-ness. Too bad about the crappy fabric, but looks like it will be super-cute in something more stable. Hopefully still orange!

Anonymous said...

I was also drawn to the promise of busty-ness. Too bad about the crappy fabric, but looks like it will be super-cute in something more stable. Hopefully still orange!

Rachel said...

Thank you for the tutorial on this top. I plan to make it and as I was reading the instructions, I was wondering why you put wrong sides together.

Unknown said...

Too bad it didn't work out as planned! Love the color on you, and your last "thumbs up" shot cracked me up! And, just you wait... I have a plan to beat you out of the gate on the July issue!!!

marysews said...

I saw someone else's post about this top and just KNEW you would be the first person to make it up! Even though you think it didn't work out well (who knows, since you're not done yet, it might turn out OK), at least you had a little silly time with it.

AllisonC said...

Well it definitely has potential to be a great top and I agree that it will be better in a thicker fabric. Thank you for pioneering the pattern for us!

Bunny said...

Don't you just hate it when fabric doesn't work? You gave it your all and I really think you will pull this off perfectly with more appropriate fabric. Color is great on you.

2BSewing: said...

Wow...just looking at the profile, fit, and style of your top...I love it! Finding the right fabric (non-bamboo) would make this top a winner for sure. I'm off to trace this pattern. That in itself will be a huge step. :)

elbereth said...

Hi there! I wanted to chime in to say that I purchased the MTO Bamboo-Cotton interlock (not the Bamboo-Lycra Jersey) from the co-op & it is much (much) more stable. I think it would work great & had in mind for this pattern. Oh, and it doesn't wrinkle like the jersey but it sure does collect dog fur!

angie.a said...

HAHAHA!!!! Love the last pic. The dress version turned out perfect! I definitely think at least a B+ cup. If I squint it might even be C. ;)