After some success with my first clothes sewing project, I decided to tackle yet another downloadable pattern from the internet. This one is a really cute, multipurpose, vintage-style pattern from the Coletterie that is free to download: the Sorbetto. Super simple, universally flattering, work appropriate and yet cute enough to wear with jeans or shorts on the weekend, plus it's free! How could I go wrong?
Turns out, it couldn't go wrong. Very easy to make. Very cute.
The hardest part by far with making my own bias tape to bind the neck and arms and then acttually sewing that tape on... I cannot say this was fun, but I'm glad I gave it a try. I think it would be easier to get the tape to fold the right way if I had one of those little bias-tape maker doo-hickeys, but I used this pin-on-ironing-board method instead. I think my main problem is that my fingers are just not dextrous enough to work with the thin, stretchy material- it was so fiddly. Perhaps I'll improve in time, or perhaps I'll just buy pre-made bias tape instead ;-)
The only real changes I made was to lengthen it by about an inch and a half (I made a size 14, but used the size 18 length, plus a teeny bit more) and to top stitch the shoulder and side seams on both sides for additional strength. I used the same fabric as this skirt I made Chuck last summer.
I think I'll definitely use this pattern again in the future. Maybe I'll try the version with sleeves? Maybe the plain-front version with no pleat? So many options. Definitely making a batik version, though. I bought some beautiful hand stamped batik fabric that would look great as a Sorbetto top.