So last week heralded a couple of firsts for me. Actually three to be precise! A week of learning new stuff you could say. Which after a week of battling with fit issues was a welcome change. Sometimes, if something is getting on your wick, you just gotta park it and switch focus to shake off the fog I think. A change is as good as a rest after all. And after a week of what felt like pulling teeth, the week I spent doing this, went so smoothly I started looking around behind me to see where the sewing demon was hiding. Wondering when it was going to jump out and fluff my make right at the eleventh hour. Said demon must be off in the Bahamas somewhere. (Shedquarters is obviously too cold for that fiery little devil at this time of year 😉 ) Because nothing went wrong on this make and there was so much that could have!
So now you’re possibly wondering what my 3 firsts were? Well this top is actually a direct copy of a top I found in a charity shop. I didn’t like the colour and it was 1-2 sizes too big. But I really liked the style. A crepe tee with a relaxed fit , simple scoop neck, and shirt tail hem. I hadn’t seen a pattern exactly like this, so I decided to make a pattern of my own, copying the pattern pieces directly from that ready to wear top on the left (below) I toiled it (middle below) and what do ya know? It worked. But, still too big. Then people, I was really pushing my luck. I decided I would have a go at grading my new pattern to the correct size. And blow me, that only went and worked too! (below right)
So that’s two firsts. Producing an exact copy of a rtw top AND grading. I was going to include all of that process in today’s post but there turned out to be waaaaay too much for one post. So next week I’ll be sharing 2 additional posts. One on the copying of the pattern. (now available here) One on the grading of it… (now available here)
And what of my third first this week? Set in sleeves! Of course I’ve sewn set in sleeves before; but I hate them with a passion and I’m pretty rubbish and impatient with the traditional method. So this week I tried the method of inserting them flat (turns out pretty much everyone I know already does this) and oh my! I could have cried with happiness! Look at that sleeve head people! Gorgeous right?! Never again will I avoid sewing stuff with set in sleeves just because it’s a faff! (Yes I am that lazy!)
There’s still a few tweaks I think I need to make to the final pattern. Namely some discreet darts in the front, and, surprise surprise, a sway back adjustment! But on a top like this, designed to be a relaxed, chilled out fit I was more than happy to make it up as is, in some delicious Isobel poly viscose crepe from The Splendid Stitch. As well as the black it’s currently also available in the three colours on the right. (I’m hoping Amy will expand her colour range on this one!) The cream best shows the gorgeous texture. It is SO soft. Super easy to work with. Drapes beautifully and best of all, straight out of the machine and onto the hanger with super minimal creasing. That my friends, is my holy grail of a fabric!
Giveaway details: Amy from The Splendid Stitch is offering you guys the chance to win either £30 to spend on fabric from her beautiful range (first prize) or a sewing pattern of your choice (second prize). To enter follow The Splendid Stitch on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or their blog. Each follow is an additional entry. Just leave me a comment here to let me know how many entries you made. Giveaway is open internationally (The Splendid Stitch is Glasgow based but ships worldwide) and closes midnight GMT on Monday 29th Feb. The winner will be selected at random and contacted directly by email. (Leave that in the comments too if it’s not easily accessible via your profile).
What’s more, until the end of February, Amy is also offering you an extra 15% off your purchase when you enter the code PORTIA15 at checkout! Thankyou very much Amy!
Just liked the FB page of The Splendid Stitch. Thanks !
You’ve spurred me on to try sewing sleeves in flat! Great giveaway too. I made four entries.
Loved the top! I’m following all 4
That crepe looks absolutely lush! I’ve never successfully cloned anything – totally jealous of how well yours turned out! So gratifying when it just works out isn’t it? I didn’t know The Splendid Stitch – she has some lovely stuff so I’ll chuck my name in for the giveaway – followed the blog, twitter and instagram. In it to win it hehe 🙂
Great tops. I love crepe! I’m following Amy on Facebook, Twitter, and instagram.
Just followed the Splendid Stitch blog, and on Instagram 🙂
Lovely top and that crepe is lush. I follow on IG and now Facebook K xXx
Followed on fb and Instagram. Great blog!
Following on Facebook, Instagram and blog. Splendid stitch has some beautiful fabrics. Fingers crossed
Gorgeous crepe! I’m following Amy’s blog and instagram.
I love tops that don’t need ironing- the crepe looks like a lovely fabric! The cream would make a lovely top partnered with my planned pants in black crepe.
I follow Amy on IG, Facebook and the blog 🙂
Lovely top! Following on IG.
I made two entries!!! Facebook and Insta!!! X
Hi, I made 3 entries.
I’m following their blog. That purple crepe is luscious!
4 follows from me. Lovely top 🙂 inserting sleeves on the flat is amazing! Also took me way too long to try!
I follow Amy on FB, Twitter, Instagram & Bloglovin
Blog and twitter follower 🙂
Facebook, IG and bloglovin follower! Thanks for the chance!
Lovely colour crepe! Followed on Instagram, Twitter and the blog.
I have followed Amy on fb, twitter and her
blog … Fingers crossed …
Hi I signed up for their newsletter – could not work out how to follow the blog! and also started following them on Instagram. Lovely top btw!
Just followed Spledid Stich on Facebook and Instagram.
It looks great, Portia! And I’m incredibly impressed with your ability to photograph black! I have a black top I made a few months ago that defies photography to this day.
I am now following The Splendid Stitch on IG — thanks for putting the store on my radar!
instagram and fb follower
I’m following The Splendid Stitch on Facebook, Instagram and her blog ?
Love the top. Great inspiration. Following The Splendid Stitch on Instagram & her blog. Thanks for a chance to win.
Nice top, worth the effort to get just what you are looking for. I have followed on Instagram, thanks for the chance to win something beautiful.
Well done on the hat trick of firsts. Love the top. Going to investigate the flat method of inserting sleeves. Following splendid stitch on fb, ig and Twitter. X
Several worn to bits RTW items in my “to do” basket that I intend to take a part and copy, so your tutorials will hopefully spur me on! Great fabric choices at the Splendid Stitch – followed on FB and signed up to her blog. Thanks for the opportunity! 🙂
Love the top! Just followed on Twitter and blog – fingers crossed!!
Love it! How do you sew the sleeves in flat? Am I the only one that needs a tutorial on this?!
Thanks! 🙂 Lisa
Sew only the shoulder seams. Then ease on your sleeves with the armoles open and flat. Then sew the sleeve/underarm and side seams in one pass! Try it!
Oh, okay! That’s the way I was taught to do it by my sewing teacher :-). I still struggle with the excess…especially in a Hawaiian-style shirt I’m trying to make for my husband. I used his favorite one to make a pattern, but cannot get the sleeve right!!
Thanks for the response, and for all the great info in your blog. I’m glad I discovered it!!
Facebook page liked x
I’m following the blog and on Instagram.
Love your success with the copycat top
Great tops Portia. I have followed The Splendid Stitch on Fb and her blog. What great fabrics! Thank you for hosting this giveaway. Regards Ann
Lovely!
2 for me, blog and fb
I follow on Facebook!
I follow on Twitter!
I follow the blog!
Great, what a success, and what a lovely week for you. The top looks fab! I already follow Splendid Stitch but I now also follow them on FB and Twitter. Thanks for the giveaway! X
FB and blog
Lovely top! I’ve followed on facebook and twitter. 🙂
Congrats on your super successful week. I’m following the blog, on IG and FB. Thanks for the giveaway.
I followed Amy on FB, Twitter, Instagram & her blog.
Ha ha oh you sound just like me when I realised you could sew in a sleeve flat. Best sewing day ever! Sleeves are so much easier now. Love the top and can’t wait to see the next two posts on your process.
Hi I follow on Facebook, Twitter and signed up for your blog newsletter. I love the CopyCat Crepe top!
Pauline
2
Love your tops – and crepe fabric ♡
One entry for me please (IG)
That is a perfect sleeve!
Thanks for a great give away. I am a follow by blog and fb.
Beautiful fabric!
I follow Amy on all four platforms.
Love the blog and the things you make. Liked on Facebook and followed the other three.
Gorgeous top and make it look so easy! 3 entries made.
Liked and signed up to the blog, thanks for the info, she gives a good rundown on her fabrics, very helpful.
Followed u on Twitter Hun
Entries made on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Following on IG, looks like a great website.
liked on Facebook valerie.boudier@ntlworld.com
Following blog on Bloglovin’ valerie.boudier@ntlworld.com
Love this top. Followed the Splendid stitch blog and on Instagram too. Thanks for the chance to win!
Hi Portia, I follow your blog…and I’ve signed up to follow The Splendid Stitch blog. I don’t have Twitter or Instagram :o(
Love the crepe!
Love the top! I made 4 entries
My non-social networking wife would love this, so I’ve followed on Facebook and Twitter, and she’s signed up to your blog via email! So that is THREE ENTRIES!
Ha ha! Love it Bill! A follow by proxy!Lol 🙂
I’ve followed on facebook 🙂
What a great top!! Followed on Facebook and instagram.
Looking forward to reading how you graded your top. I have followed the blog and IG.
Thank you so much. I am following on Twitter, FaceBook and Instagram : )
I am also remaking some of my favourite RTW tops and it’s been going well.
I followed on instagram and twitter (2).
I’ve entered on FB and IG
I followed on Instagram! 🙂
Awesome blouse. Looking forward to the next posts. Loved seeing your progress on IG. And I am following Amy on IG, Facebook and Twitter
Just discovered the wealth of info in your blog, loving it! Have followed The Splendid Stitch on FB & their blog. Looking forward to your post on grading the pattern.
I’m following the blog & on IG. Great top by the way.
Hi. Love it thanks.
Must find out – what is that fab bobbly cream linen type fabric you have in the photo where you shiw d your wonderful inset sleeve? Where can I buy it?
I bought it in one of the many fabric shops on Walthamstow High Street. Afraid I can’t remember which one. This type of fabric is called swiss dot if that helps with your search! 🙂
Awesome! I’ve followed all social media listed!
Lovely top! I love that cream fabric – gorgeous. Congrats on your fitting success! Thanks for that excellent tip on the sleeve. I followed Spendid Stitch on all four (Bloglovin to follow the blog).
Hi! I followed Splendid Stitch on Facebook, Twitter and Bloglovin. And i also subscribed to the newsletter. I only live an hour away from Glasgow so I must pay them a wee visit soon!
Great copy of the RTW top! I already follow Amy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram so count me in for the giveaway – thank you for the chance!
Hello and thank you for the opportunity to win. I’m following you on fb, Twitter, Instagram and the blog. Zspain73@yahoo.com
Hi love your blog Portia. I’m now following The Sumptuous Stitch”s blog too. Thanks
Louise
Inserting sleeves flat is the way forward. I’m never going back! I’m following Splendid Stitch on FB, IG and the blog.
Amazing. I. I feeling more inspired to get back to my sewing 🙂 I’ve made 3 entries, Thanks!
Just found you from Bloglovin, and have also followed you on Facebook, as well as the Splendid Stitch. Nice to see a blog who gives you step by step deconstruction advice as well as construction!
Welcome Sandie….and thank you!!
Followed on facebook twitter instgram fab giveaway x
Followed on FB & Twitter. Good to find a UK-based company, most blogs end up being stateside.
I agree with you Portia, Amy should include more colors of that fabulous crepe!
I’m following on Twitter, Facebook and Feedly.
Greetings from Belgium,
Veronica
Am following the splendid stitch on instagram ?
I follow Amy on facebook and instagram – love love love her fabrics.
Love the top – really nice fabric
2 entries for me please – twitter and instagram
notsewsimple at gmail dotcom
thanks!
Louise
I Liked FB, Followed Instagram and Subscribed to the blog!
Followed on Instagram! thanks!
I’m following the Splendid Stitch on Facebook, Instagram and Bloglovin. Love that shop!
Hi, I just liked the Splendid Stitch Facebook.
I really like your crepe T-shirt.
And so clever to add a strip to your other top. It actually improved it.
Following on Facebook, thanks for the giveaway.
Facebook and blog followed 🙂
Nice discovery for me! I follow the blog.
I am following all 4 ways. Great to hear about a Glasgow based company as I live just outside Glasgow. Love your tops x
Iain.ross30 at gmail dot com
Im following on instagram twitter facebook blog and pinterest great job with the top
Love the blog! Following on fb, Instagram and blog
Love the top – Followed on fb , tw and inst
Love it!! Following all!!
Greetings from Colombia!
Gorgeous top. Love the fabrics you have used and thanks for the giveaway x