Simplicity 1886 - Transformed

Along with my Pinterest boards, I have been tearing out pages from InStyle Magazine and one of the garments I wanted to re-create was Bailey 44 - Polyurethane top. (link and picture from InStyle Magazine)

Isn't it fabulous?  I wanted something like that but not from polyurethane, so I went with ponte from Joann's.  Two pieces are just okay fabrics but the gray ponte is fabulous!  Okay, enough abou the fabric.  Here is how I went about the top.

I scoured my patterns and I really didn't have a knit tank pattern, can you believe that?  Time to start back with the pattern sales.  I selected Simplicity 1886

First thing I did was tape out the dart and then I traced the pattern out full size on medical exam paper.

Then I cut each of my three fabrics - cream, black and gray in 3-1/2" strips width of fabric.
I pieced these with my serger in the order which corresponded to my inspiration piece (cream-gray-black).

Lightened photo so you can see stripes and colors better.

I did nine strips total (I believe) and pressed these to one side, making sure none of them seams went toward the cream.  I had black thread and the cream was thin, I didn't want the thread to show through.

Next up the pattern tracing.  I drew lines to re-create the Bailey 44 top and cut the tracing on these lines (highlighted in yellow)

I added 1/4" seam allowance on the highlighted cut edges and then pieced the front.  The back is from the gray ponte.

I did taper the side seams on this top since the original pattern was for a woven.  The neck binding is the black ponte, and a wrapped it around the seam allowance for a bit of contrast against the cream ponte in the front.  Now the armholes are bound with the black ponte but I wrapped it totally to the inside.

My neckline was a bit off and I tapered the middle cream one just a bit to shape the neckline back into a correct curve.


This will be a versatile top, I can wear it with "attitude" with my moto jacket.

or it goes with the red sweater from above.
Now a couple of out-takes from the photo shoot

I am getting Junior to sit before the self-timer goes off (it went off obviously)

And now look how bored he looks while he is sitting and waiting on me to finish!

He was rewarded for his good work, he loves to go on a walk and we went on a 3 mile walk.  He pulled me most of the way!

This top was so quick to make but I think it has great impact.  I look forward to wearing it.