I finally finished off my Twist top that I started during my stretchy sewing phase. I got it done just in the nick of time to wear to the Vivid Sydney festival this weekend and I think it went well with all the psychedelic lights around.
The pattern was made as part of the class at Studio Faro on stretch patterns. The front is fully lined with the same fabric because the twist would reveal the wrong side of the fabric if it wasn’t doubled up. There are probably a few tweaks that I need to make to the pattern to make it fit a fit better and get rid of a little bit of the bulk at the twist but for now it works. The fabric is a piece of synthetic knit that I found stuffed behind a pile of rolls at a fabric store in Marrickville. It is horribly faded in places so the colour isn’t consistent but I loved the colour and the feel and it was cheap enough for a ‘wearable’ toile.
I reinforced the shoulders and back of the neck with clear elastic (Thanks, Judy 🙂 ) and I folded over the hem and finished with a zigzag. For the sleeves, I was playing around with finishing techniques and ways to make them a bit longer (my fabric was a running out when I got to the sleeves). I ended up with an extra piece of fabric slightly ruffled (using clear elastic again) and then stitched onto the sleeve. I’m not entirely sure I’d do it exactly like that again but it was a good experiment.
Pattern: My own Twist Top pattern
Fabric: Blue-green polyester knit (badly faded in parts) from the floor of a Marrickville fabric store
Alterations: I need to take a bit of bulk out of the twist and maybe add a centimetre at the twist so it falls better.
Do it again?: Perhaps a summer version when the time comes…
I’m still not totally happy with my seam and edge finishes in stretchy fabric. Having an overlocker would certainly make my life easier in that department (I believe) but I’m sure there must be other suggestions. SewMaris has a great tutorial on keeping knit necklines in check (note to self: must get stretch interfacing). Do you have any ideas for hems and sleeve hems? Or neatening up seams?
But it’s a fun top and it turned out better than I had anticipated. I’m glad I got it finished and into a wearable state.
Dodgy Zebra 
Great top, looks like you got a really good fit! I don’t have much experience of sewing with stretchy fabrics, but the best hem/sleeve hem finish I’ve gotten has been with a 4mm twin needle (I don’t have an overlocker either – but dream of one!) as it sewed the raw edge down firmly but didn’t stretch the fabric out of shape.
Thanks. I have had mixed success with the twin needle but I’ll have to give it another go. Each fabric is a new challenge :-).
And I’m dreaming of an overlocker along with you…
Mary, your top looks fantastic, dare I say the best thing I’ve seen on you – its so flattering!! I’ve yet to tackle mine, but will give a twist skirt a go today. I have a bodice waiting to meet a skirt!
Hi Lesley, Thanks for the fabulous compliment – especially as I admire your pieces so much. I haven’t tried the twist skirt yet but I’d love to see your twist dress when it’s done.
Well done on the drafting. It looks great and expect that it is isn’t as fabric hungry as my Vogue twist top pattern.
Thanks, Gail. It is a bit fabric hungry particularly as the front is fully lined …but at least the fabric was pretty inexpensive. Might have to perfect the pattern before I use a pricey fabric 🙂
Mary, I was wanting to email you direct. Can’t see an email address here, can you send me one?
I have a 2nd overlocker and wanted you to have it to use for as long as you like. It had been serviced before I retired it when I bought a new one. It worked really well and I’d be happy to play with it and show you. We leave for OS in 2 weeks, so if you’d like to borrow it – pls do contact me.
Lesley, what a fantastically generous offer! I am VERY excited. Thank you so much. I will email you directly.
xx
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Can’t believe I’ve missed this post. Your top looks great. Fab colour on you and plenty of twist. Congrats. Is it ok to share your first photo on Facebook?
Thanks, Anita. Definitely a lot of twist! Yes, absolutely share the pic on Facebook.