Blue Batwing Top

I made another knit top! (Also, my mom gave me a set of 100 of these awesome-sauce labels for Christmas, and I freaking love them. They look so professional! I’m putting them in everything I make from now on, haha.)

I drafted this pattern myself (if you can even call this drafting–it was incredibly simple). It’s based on a RTW (ready-to-wear) top I already own and like, with a few simple modifications. I raised the neckline quite a bit, and made my version longer, for a more tunic-y effect.

This fabric is amazing and gorgeous. I wish a remembered the fiber content, but I don’t. All I know is that I found it in the sweater knit section at Stone Mountain and Daughter and decided I had to have it. It’s incredible drapey and soft (and also slightly see-through, so this is definitely in the “only wearable with a cami underneath” category, but that’s okay).

Construction was simple. I used a normal narrow zig zag (width 1.5, length 2.5) to sew the seams. I used French seams on the side seams and shoulder seams, to enclose the raw edges (I wanted the inside to look nice and clean, since the fabric is slightly sheer). I used the overcasting stitch on my sewing machine to finish the seams attaching the neck band, cuffs, and hem band, and then zig-zagged those edges in place so they would roll the right direction. (I used this tutorial for the Hemlock Tee from Grainline Studio to figure out how to attach the neck band.)

Here’s the inside of the hem band:

The outside of the hem band:

The inside of the neck band, with a shoulder seam:

A cuff:

I’m really happy with how this turned out.

It’s super comfy, and I love that it looks good both with jeans and tucked into skirts. See? (Disclaimer: I did NOT make that pencil skirt. It’s just for demonstration purposes!)

I know I’ll get lots of wear out of this, and I’m already looking forward to making more batwing tops in cozy knits. :)

On a different topic: I’m participating in my first official Sewcialist project with other sewing bloggers! We’re going to be sewing button down shirts together, sharing tips, advice, and inspiration as we go. Check out the website for the project here: http://itsonlikedonkeykongsshirt.tumblr.com.

Edited to add: I’m also going to try to follow along with the Wardrobe Architect project over on the Coletterie blog. Yay!