Monday 21 January 2013

FBA success

This little trio of Sorbettos actually fit me. No gaping armholes.  Yes, I have mastered the FBA.

I have attempted the full bust adjustment, halfheartedly, on previous occasions without success.  This summer was my summer to finally make some tops that fit.  As I moved from drafting and cutting at the kitchen table, back to the sewing room to stitch and press (in the sweltering heat, mind you), muslin after muslin fell to the floor.  I continued to tweak my pattern according to the very comprehensive instructions in Fit for real people: sew great clothes using any pattern by Pati Palmer and Marta Alto, until that previously elusive great fit was no longer so.

I'm pretty pleased with the results.
Sorbetto 1 is in a lovely light voile I purchased forever ago from Michael Levine in LA.

Sorbetto 2 is in a retro Robert Kaufman print picked up at Vinnies last week for $2.50.  
I used the bias to not only bind the neck and armholes but to finish the hem.

Sorbetto 3 is in a light as a feather, soft, dark brown cotton voile given to me by my friend, Michelle, for this very purpose.  I was only game to cut into it once I had mastered the fit. 
I topstitched this one in contrasting thread that matches the vintage buttons.

I now have three lovely, loose, light, flowy, comfy, non-gapey tops.  Perfect for wearing to Rod Laver Arena this week.  Oh yes, tennis, here I come.