What I made: Muslin/Pattern test of peasant top. Thoughts?

I've wanted to experiment with making some tops for myself and I got a pattern for a peasant top because it matches my skill level well. I wanted to test the pattern first so I worked it up with a thrift store sheet.

I am pretty excited about how it turned out but I worry that I have blinders on because 1. I made it. 2. I fell in love with the sheet... so soft and fun to work with.

I can see there are some fit issues I need to address. My plan is to Aline the top a little from under the bust to add a couple more inches to the hip area without adding a lot of bulk to the top part.

I was also thinking of trying a couple or layers of rouching under the bust. I'm thinking now I need to make a second muslin.

Is this type of top working for me? Should I continue?

*Please excuse that the rest of me is a mess. I finished this pretty late yesterday evening.

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13 years ago

KikiG

Veteran

I think the key to a flattering peasant top is the fit around the armhole and how it relates to the bust. I think you are on the right path with the fit at the bust and armhole, which really is the hardest part to get right.. To my eye, I would like the neck to scoop deeper--not wider, deeper--and for the bottom of it to be slightly wider and slightly shorter.

Abie

I think you are right about the neckline too. I should be able to accomplish that by scooping the front piece a little.

I forgot to mention the length, but I agree it's too long. I am thinking about 2 inches?

Anonymous

What Kiki said. I'd also like to see the sleeves a bit shorter and gathered a little at the bottom. My favorite peasant blouse has a drawstring at the neckline so that it is adjustable. Sewing some beads at the end of the drawstring is a nice touch.

Sheila

You are definitely on the right track. To my eye, it is fitting a little too closely above the waist and the alterations you propose should fix that. I do not like to wear low-necked peasant tope, as they tend to sag when I sit down (even though I am quite buxom) and then I catch myself fiddling with the neckline, raising it every few minutes. I hate that! So I suggest you proceed with caution with respect to the alteration of the neckline. Just a thought. Overall you are doing very well. I love sewing so much...makes me want to get going on a new project myself!

Vix

Oh you clever thing. And you're even on-trend with your muslin/sheet due to the current critter print fixations.

I think you're on the right track with adding a bit of width through the torso, though I wouldn't go too big there. And I might taper from the elbow to wrist a bit (keeping the bell shape at the wrist). [Actually if you're feeling it's loose in the upper arm area you could take that in a bit as well -- I can't tell from the photos.]

I'm normally all about rouching/ruching but I find it works best with knits and it seems as if it would run counter to the whole flowy vibe of a peasant top.

A lot will depend on your fabric choice -- are you thinking cotton voile, a cotton-silk blend, super-fine linen or...? I would avoid anything too heavy.

Looking forward to seeing the end result!

The first one I plan to do is a regular woven cotton so maybe I should stick with tailoring instead of rouching. for that one. I have a cotton/silk blend that is also a contender for this pattern if I get it worked out.

I do think that the drawstring is a good idea for the neckline to be adjustable. That's a pretty easy switch and might be more safe than trying to scoop it.

The top arm seems fine but I think I could go in slightly around the elbow and come back out.

I made this one long sleeved and it can come up some. I am unsure where I want the sleeve length to be on the finished item so I will likely start with it long and then shorten later.

Patty

How cool is that and yes it's a wicked sheet!!!
How bout some smocking to take slack in in the sleeves above the wrists??
http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-smock-2

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