A Vogue 9048 & TNT Pattern Mashup

I started this top prior to leaving on vacation but after making so many maxidresses so quickly I was sewed out.  I left it to finish up when I returned from vacation.  Well we all know that I had a really eventful vacation and two weeks after, so I'd just started thinking about it again.

After looking at it with fresh eyes, I realized there wasn't much left to do to finish it up.  Also, I've been seeing a lot of this type of look on the streets of NYC and I realized that I could wear this style now...

I started this top by using Vogue 9048 and my TNT dress pattern. Originally I wanted the neckline and collar from the Vogue pattern. To alter the pattern, I used my pattern sandwich trick, layering the new pattern piece, the TNT dress pattern piece and a fresh piece of pattern paper to make up new pattern pieces.

I lengthened the pattern pieces by 15" and cut it out from a black and white cotton voile from the collection.  Originally, I cut out short sleeves and I went back and forth over whether to add them or not. Finally, I decided not to use them. Why? Because I'm still living in manufactured air everywhere and I always wear a cardigan against the cold.

• There is an 18" zipper in the center back.
• I omitted the collar - decided it would be too hot.
• I scooped the center front neckline out another inch at the center decreasing on the sides until it met the original seam.
• Turned the neckline and armholes down 1/2" pressed and stitched flat.
• I secured the side seams against tearing by pressing some Design Plus Fusible Stay Tape at the end of each side seam. Then stitched it flat.
• Cut 3" off the bottom then turned up 1/2" pressed and stitched flat.

Voila! It was done!  As you can see I'm wearing it over my leggings. It's a cool outfit for these last hot summer days especially since I no longer have a dress code.

Wearability Factor ~
I wore this on one of the hottest days during the past week and going out the front door I knew the leggings were going to be hot. I really don't like pants or anything on my legs during the heat so wearing this outfit was tricky, but I like it so much and wanted to wear it.

I also realized that I'm most comfortable wearing a boatneck and since this one is closer fitting, it bothered me all day. I kept having to tug at it because either my handbag pulled it tight up against my neck, sitting down without adjusting it also pulled it up against my neck. Even moving around in it caused me to tug at it.

My side slits are too high. When the wind blew the cotton voile flew in the wind and you could see my leggings clearly. Now while I was fully clothed, I'm still getting used to this whole close-fitting situation and I was definitely uncomfortable...especially after I caught a dude staring at my ass-ets.

Now would I make this again...yes! If I change the neckline, maybe to a v-neck and add some short sleeves using a little heavier fabric, this would be even better. This version was sooooo comfortable to wear and I felt very trendy and cool in it. Also, it was a head turner and I got quite a few compliments...so you might see a fall version of this one sooner rather than later.

In Conclusion ~
This was fun to wear. I would have never been able to wear this to my former job and it was freeing to be able to do so now. It also works as part of me trying to find my new style. I like how it's funky, cool and even a little sexy...

....always more later!