It’s time to show you my October Burdastyle team make and for this month I chose the short-sleeved raglan top from Feb 2016…but with a twist…more on that later.
(Note: I
For my top, I chose a couple of fabrics from my stash. The main fabric was leftover from a sweater dress that I made a couple of years ago and the accent cream shade is a cotton and lycra mix rib that I got from Ditto Fabrics last year. The rest of the cream fabric is earmarked for a basic slim fit top (I made sure I could afford to use a bit of it up for this top without compromising amounts).
I’ll admit straight off that I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m not overly thrilled with how the two fabrics in my top look together. In hindsight, I think that the cream rib makes the jacquard knit look a bit sludgy and I think I’ve gone off the jacquard knit…I’m kind of wondering how often I’ll be reaching for my top. Having said all of this though, I love the actual pattern that I chose to sew up. The shape is nice and the design lines are brilliant for getting a superb fit over my bust and shoulders…something that I’m very fussy about.
Anyway, I think we should talk a bit more about the details of my top. So to start off, I cut my usual Burda size 38 and only needed to make a minor adjustment of decreasing a bit of front armhole depth. A quick preliminary read-through of the instructions and it looked like a nice straightforward make…I was right 🙂 …and I quickly got on with sewing.
First off, to highlight those lovely angled panels down the front and back I decided to cut them on the cross-grain so that the chevron design ran horizontally. Then to accentuate the seams and to give an extra definition, I used some cream rib to make piping which I inserted between the centre and side panels.
Once the side panels had been attached with all the piping, the rest of the top was a breeze to sew together. Side seams were next followed by both sleeve seams and then the armholes.
Up next was the collar which was first stitched to the neck edge with right sides together and then it was folded in half to the inside. On the inside, the other edge of the collar (which had been overlocked) was basted flat along the seam line and then on the outside of the top, I stitched in the ditch all around the collar seam.
Finally, after hemming the body and sleeves I came to the “twist” part that I mentioned at the top of this post. And that “twist” is removable undersleeves. They are really quick to make and can be a fun addition to make a short-sleeved top wearable in cooler weather. I know it would be easy enough to just wear a long-sleeved tee underneath, but if an extra layer isn’t wanted on your body it makes for a quick and easy solution to warmer arms.
So, as you can imagine the undersleeves are easy to put together. I just measured from my armpit to my wrist and using a pattern from a long-sleeved tee I cut out the lower section of the sleeve. It’s important to get a snug fit for a sleek look that stays put and for added security, I sewed on snaps that attach the top of the underarm seam of the detachable sleeve to the armhole of the top on the inside. Et viola..two looks in one!
![Detacheav]ble undersleeve for Short Sleeved Raglan Top by BurdaStyle](https://www.dreamcutsew.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/P1030108.jpg)
Even if I’m not in love with the fabric I chose for my top (I guess these things happen eh?), I really like the pattern that I chose and how nicely it fits too. I would love to make another version for next Spring in some fresh colour blocked colours. One to add to my list I think.
In closing, I want to share with you that I had the fab opportunity to step into Meg’s shoes for October’s Mash-Up posts and to write for the BurdaStyle blog…woohoo!. I chose the waterfall drape top which I made up in a lovely bright red fabric.
Thanks for reading! Catch you soon…
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I love the idea of the removable sleeve!! I am absolutely going to stash that idea away for future use. Brilliant!
Author
Thanks, lovely! Glad you like my sleeve idea. Be gone cold arms!
The removable sleeves add so much to the appearance of this top. Excellent idea! I also like the placement of your fabric, which is very effective!
Author
Thanks so much, Karen! Ah yes, the pattern placement had me scratching my head to get it symmetrical. I’m glad you like it 🙂
It’s such a shame you don’t like your fabric, as what you have done with the different directions looks superb. The removable sleeves are great too. You’ve inspired me to hunt up that pattern with your stand-out version.
Author
Thanks, Su! I’m glad you feel inspired to sew your version of this pattern
The pattern placement really emphasises the style lines; it works very well. I think I see what you mean about the colour combo, but I wonder if pairing it with different coloured jeans would make a difference?
Author
Thanks, Catherine. I think I will try my top with a few different bottoms before giving up on it. I wouldn’t really say I don’t like the fabric as such, but it doesn’t make my heart sing. Hmm, actually, I have some deep bitter chocolate wide trousers that may work with it…
Yes, ditto on the color. What is happening is that the darker tones in the patterned knit, are blending together with the lighter tones in the knit, and making the over color effectively darker so it doesn’t match your contrast (even if the contrast perfectly matches the lighter tones in the patterned knit). From a distance, what pops out are the contrast neckband and the undersleeves because they appear so much lighter.
I love so much of your work – the blush trench coat, especially, but I don’t think this one, even though it’s superbly made, is especially flattering to you because of the ‘ring effect’ of the lighter toned neckband. What I do love is the careful horizontal placement of the patterned knit, the piping in the seams, and the brilliant removable undersleeves – great idea!
Author
I absolutely agree 100%. You see that’s exactly what I see too…a ring of light around my neck and then the sludgy low contrast of the main fabric. I recently read a whole load of interesting articles about personal colouring and specifically our contrast values and I’m realising that it’s the reason that I suddenly dislike some of my existing clothes and in particular this new make…we live and learn eh? I’m thinking of writing a bit of a wardrobe and style musing post on it.
I see what you mean about the colours. I love the top though. Great design lines and I like the way you’ve placed the fabric. The sleeves are a great idea (- but not for me).
Author
Thanks, Anne. Yes, I adore the shape of the top and I’m definitely going to make it again…in a fabric I like better 🙂
I love this top! And the removable sleeves are a fabulous idea! I’ve never heard of this, nor though of this and think it is most clever.
Author
Thank you Lisa! x
I love the top, Diane! Especially the design. And those removable sleeves!!! What an ingenious idea!
Author
Thanks, Wis! I’m glad you like the sleeve idea 🙂
That idea for the sleeves is brilliant!
Author
Thanks Irene!
I love the design and shape of this top, definitely a style that looks great on you! The lines down the front are so interesting and I love your idea of removable sleeves! I’m always conflicted about whether to make a top with long sleeves or short and your idea certainly gets rid of that big decision:).
Author
Thank you, Linda. I agree the seam details on this style are lovely… I bet it would colour block well. And my detachable sleeves give me the best of both worlds.
That is a fabulous pattern with all its pieces…I’d be wanting to try a bit of colour blocking too! I like the fabrics you chose. Nice work!
Author
Thanks, Linda. It is a great pattern. I love how the seam lines help with getting a great fit too.
Such a clever idea to make the detachable undersleeves. Is one snap enough to hold them up? I really like the fabric and what you’ve done with it. The two directions make a very interesting top. Another winner I think Diane!
Author
Thanks Sue. Regarding the snap… I think you definitely need a snug fit on the sleeve which helps and if in doubt add a couple more snaps. A fine elastic around the top is a possibility that I’m looking into should I need it.
I’m confused as to which pattern this is in the 10/2018 issue since I can’t find it. Great looking top, I love the placement of the print.
Author
Thank you Lisette! Oh gosh, I’m so sorry, I realise I hadn’t made it clear in my post. As one of the Burda blogger team, I have to make up a garment each month, but it can be any pattern from any year. This top is from Feb 2016. I amended my post and checked the link (found it wasn’t working so fixed it). You can actually get PDF versions of any pattern from BurdaStyle.com
I neglected to mention that the link was not working 😯 Thank you for the information.