Thursday 11 June 2015

Stripy Agnes Top


It's very rare that I make a pattern within a couple of years of its release, let alone a couple of months. But I've firmly fallen in love with Tilly's new top pattern, Agnes, and I had appropriate fabric on hand so I jumped right in with uncharacteristic speed. It'd be hard for me to argue that I need another stripy top, but I do only have two short-sleeved jersey tops/T-shirts and both of those are looking pretty ropey these days. Therefore I've filled a wardrobe gap with a style that I know I'm going to wear! 


Pattern:

First off, full disclosure: I was given this pattern for free but without any expectation that I would write a review or even actually sew it. I'm not in the market of sewing anything that I genuinely am not interested in making or wearing, but this particular pattern is so up my street that I've given it a spare set of keys in case I ever get locked out! In fact, it's very similar to a self-drafted scoop neck top pattern with gathered sleeveheads that I used to make this black top (third picture down from the top) and this leopard print version (seventh picture down from the top). The general fit is almost the same to my self-drafted attempt, but I love the dramatic ruched sleeves and cute gathered neckline/bust detail included in the Agnes pattern. 


I plan to make a bunch of tops from this pattern, I really like how the different elements of this style can be mixed and matched for a lot of different looks. I chose to start with the gathered neckline variation and the plain half-sleeves. I blended between sizes from the Size 3 at the bust to a Size 4 for the waist and below. This worked out perfectly for the body, but the Size 3 sleeves were too tight for my 'substantial' upper arms. I ended up having to cut them down to the shorter length sleeves that you see in these pictures. As I said before, I'm pretty low on short-sleeves tops and T-shirts so it was no bad thing in the end. For my next version (which I actually finished making last night!) I've blended out from the underarm points to the Size 4 for the rest of the sleeve.  


Fabric:

This is some slinky jersey that was cut from a sample piece that was donated to the textile recycling charity that I used to work for. We used to be sent sooo much fabric to work with, way more than we could ever use up. So if there were pieces that weren't appropriate for the clothing range we made, or the lengths were so long that we could cut off a metre or two and still not be able to use it all, we would sometimes buy them for ourselves by making a donation to the charity via the 'karma tin'. I'm finally running pretty low of knit fabric that I acquired this way! This stripy jersey may look familiar to you, I've used it before for my long-sleeved Dolores batwing top, which I wear A LOT. It's very drapey, but its fine weight and excellent stretch and recovery works well with the snug silhouette of this pattern.

Thoughts:

Ah this top is so pretty! It's sexy and fun, with a kind of retro/French/Rockabilly vibe (IMO). I love the way the gathered neckline detail distorts the stripes of the fabric. Or rather the stripes of the fabric highlight the gathered neckline detail. Either/Or. However, I'm not sure if the position of the gathered part looks quite right on me or not. My boobs aren't quite as high and pert as they were before breast-feeding took its toll on them and the gathering sits kind of high up on me. I've experimented with making the gathers lower down, but it looked a bit odd as I think it really needs to start at the bottom of the neck binding as it is indicated on the pattern to get the gentle sweetheart neckline. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Am I over-thinking it? I'll give the top a few wears to see if the position of the gathering continues to bother me or not. I doubt that it will!  

17 comments:

Cecili said...

You look fantastic in this top, the shape and colours are gorgeous! Usually I don't like ruched details so much but I love it here :)

Fabric Tragic said...

It's cute for sure! Could you make the length of the gathering a little longer to compensate for the lower boobage? I think it looks fine as is btw!

Philippa said...

Hope you like honest comments...yes you are overthinking it! It looks great and I have never thought the ruching on these style of tops needs to align directly with boob position lol!!

didyoumakethat said...

That is SO you!

classic-mini66 said...

Is there such a thing as too many stripey tops? The gathering on the front looks fine, I think we can always our own worst critic.

Kathryn said...

This looks great! I love the stripes and the style is very you. I also think you're overthinking the ruching, as we tend to do when sewing for ourselves.

Knitwitsowls said...

I think your boobs look lovely (in the most non creepy way possible!) but I do wish people would stop tempting me to buy this pattern! X

Knitlass said...

Looks gorgeous!

eimear said...

its fabulous on you, so preppy and so summery ............... gorgeous

Marie said...

I also think it looks fine as is -exactly the sort of thing I'd wear, I've been making 'wally' garments from red stripe jersey too. Particularly enjoying my 'Wally' pants :) ...Maybe if you're just not quite happy with it a compromise would be to lower the neckline just a fraction combined with lengthening the gathered section. A little of each would perhaps avoid noticeable distortion further down. That said it still looks lovely so for me it would be effort vs outcome.

Amy said...

Love your top - looks great! Really love the red and white stripes! With regard to the gathering, I've had a close look at the top on Tilly and her model, and it looks like the top is designed to have the gathering towards the upper half of the bust (and even just above the bust). That's what it pretty much looks like on you, so I think you're maybe worrying too much! If it bothers you, though, I agree with Marie: you could add some length to the upper half of the bodice (lowering the neckline) and lengthen the gathered section a little. I think it looks great as is, though!

Anonymous said...

This looks good ! Wear and enjoy. For your next one, you may want to experiment with extending the rusching down. Then you can compare and decide which you like. Thanks for pointing out something that I will definitely want to look at if I make this pattern. I'm always looking for t-shirt patterns that have just a little something special.

Lou Lou said...

Love it! Don't over think it, it looks great on you! I'm planning on attempting an Agnes, just as soon as I find the right fabric. You're stripy red and white is perfect!

Unknown said...

This looks great. I wasn't a fan when this pattern came out but I think your version is great. The rusching at the bust looks fine don't panic!

Sewingfunthings said...

Look super cute and comfy!

tialys said...

You've made me think again about this pattern. When it first came out I only saw the ruched sleeves and dismissed it as too young for me. However, now I see there is another version and also ordinary sleeves that could be used for either neckline, I think I might go for it after all. You've just cost me money!!

Hana said...

I love this top! Pretty and comfy at the same time :)

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