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Sometimes my sewing room turns into a factory.
On the same night that I made my two Scoop Tops, I also churned out two new Renfrew tops. 4 new tops in 5 hours, not a bad effort for a one man show!
I made my first Renfrew top a year and a half ago and have had intentions to make more so I'm glad I finally go around to it.
This time I went without the cowl neck. I do love cowl necks but wanted something a bit more suited to Summer and didn't have enough of either of these fabrics to include one anyway.
On this first top, I went for the short-sleeved t shirt option. Everything as the pattern states but I didn't put cuffs on the sleeves because they were too long without the cuffs so I just turned them under and hemmed them. I made this one out of a knit from Girl Charlee. While I love the colours in these stripes I don't love the quality of most of their fabrics. The fabric is cheap though so I guess you get what you pay for, it's not too noticeable but already starting to pill after a months worth of wearing.
The second top I made with 3/4 sleeves. This one is just right for those days that are going to be warm but start out a bit chilly.
I made this top out of some Hilco Campante jersey. It is amazing fabric. I know that a lot of people look at the price of European knits and baulk at the price, but I think it is totally worth it if you want to end up with a quality piece of clothing. This top cost me around $30 to make, the one above cost around $13, but I can guarantee you that I will be wearing the Hilco top for years beyond what the cheaper fabric will last. Don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to buying cheap fabric (for some projects) but really...I wouldn't hesitate buying a top for $30 in the shops so I can't see the point in skimping on a sewing project that I put time and effort into. Anyway, point is that if I am going to sew something that I want to last for a long time, good quality fabric is the key.
Both of these tops have been worn a lot since I made them, and with the stash of fabric I have to get through in my sewing room I can't see myself buying a basic knit top from a shop for a long time!
SUPPLIES:
Renfrew Top sewing pattern by Sewaholic Patterns
Grey/multi stripe knit from Girl Charlee
Pink/petrol stripe Campante knit by Hilco
3 comments:
I've never heard that about Girl Charlee fabrics before...good to know. You've made such great basics that will come in so handy!
Love that second top especially! Looks great with those shorts. I agree with you about quality of the cheaper knits. I've actually found I can get much better fabrics from thrifted shirts foricheap and use those to make clothes for my kids. Wish I could do that for myself as well!
Great tops Toni and yes, totally agree about quality knits. The Hilco ones are superb, I used them for pjs for two of my boys and marvelled over and over how well they came up wash after wash after wash.
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