go ask Alice
Do you remember the book “Go Ask Alice“? It was all the go when I was in the early years of high school and was on high demand from the school library – it was about highly illicit activities like drug-taking and sex. Reading it as a 13 year old was like eating forbidden fruit – it felt I like was doing something wrong but it was oh so interesting! And oh so different from anything I knew about! Anyway, I digress. This blog post is really about the StyleARC Alice top that I made last weekend.
This was actually the first thing that I churned out at Sewjourn. The fabric is the leftover from the Vogue dress I made a month or so ago. It’s cotton/lycra from Darn Cheap Fabrics, and it is a fantastic weight for this project. I introduced a centre back seam so that I could cut the top out from the fabric I had left, but if I’d had more fabric I would have gone with the pattern pieces as drafted and cut the back in one piece.
This was a marvellous pattern. The elastic that gathers the sleeves and the centre front is sewn on first. I didn’t cut this elastic to length, but instead marked on it the length in the instructions and made sure that the marking was lined up with the length on the pattern pieces. This gave me the rest of the elastic to hold on to as I stretched and zig-zagged it in place. Then I cut it off! StyleARC draft their patterns incredibly well – their background as designers/pattern-makers of ready-to-wear clothing is obvious. Their instructions are rather sparse, but are improving as they go along, and anyone with a little bit of sewing experience shouldn’t have a problem.
I made this in size 12, and the neckline is fairly wide. This is how it is drafted, but because I have narrow shoulders I would probably bring it in a little at the back neckline if I made it again. And because of my current weight loss I’d even bring it in a little at the side seams. I probably will make it again. As usual I stabilised the body and sleeve hems with double-sided fusible tape before stitching them in place with a twin needle.
It’s a terrific top! I wore it yesterday and felt comfortable and current. And it also looks great on Rachel! I did think that it was going to sneak into her bag when we packed to leave Sewjourn.
I like your elastic trick. I am going to remember that when I next have to do something similar.
Great pattern – really suits you, very flattering.
I have been following your blog for a while, I love seeing what you are making. But today I absolutely loved the top and have ordered the pattern and also a skirt pattern. You have inspired me to make some clothes for myself. Thank you so much for the pattern links. I think the top will be ideal for summer, just have to buy some frabic and I’m ready to go.
I love this top Lara. I’ve never made myself a top before, and I never sew with stretch. Do you think it would be easy enough for me?
You could definitely make this Cam! Just choose a cotton/lycra knit, not anything that’s slippery. You’ll be fine!
I remember that book too, love the top by the way
I was the same with book, I used to read my friends copy with her on the bus to school, we both thought it was so risque! Great top.
I don’t remember if I actually saw this top on you on the weekend – it looks great! And those jeans are looking decidedly baggy too, well done to you.
I have a number of StyleArc patterns on my wish list now…
Do you remember ‘forever’ by Judy blume? Similar situation…but fiction! Was Alice true, written by anonymous from memory. Great top.
Love the top. The neckline looks lovely and the fabric is pretty cool too!
This is gorgeous on you! And you answered the question I was going to ask as soon as I saw the photo ‘have you lost weight?’. You look great!
This looks great on you. So flattering! I agree, these patterns are beautifully drafted and a joy to sew.
I love this one, I’d grab it as well. I really like v-necks and I think it looks really good on you. I’m thinking you might look better in a v-neck but I’m not sure because I don’t see many of them on you. This is very youthful and hip looking but then that’s the tie-dyer in me speaking.
Glad someone else remembers what for me was the “must read” book of Form 1 at High School. A world far removed from the Northern Suburbs of Melbourne!
I did post a comment some time ago – but it failed for somoe reason… so here it is again – love the top, and got this pattern as a freebie when I ordered another from Stylearc – will have to give it a go!
Did you use clear swimsuit elastic for the gathers?