Had I known how soft, flowy and wonderfully slinky wearing a rayon top would feel, I might have finished this Make Nine project last year! Here is my new MixIt Top, another Make Nine 2020 finish.
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| Rayon MixIt Top—a Make Nine 2020 finish. |
From M9 2019 to M9 2020
The original intention was to make "something" using rayon fabric through participation in the Make Nine 2019 challenge. I made Rayon a Wild Card project. But it didn't happen.
Still wanting to try this fabric and hone my sewing skills, I moved this project from the 2019 list to my Make Nine 2020 list.
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| Cutting out pieces of the MixIt Top [pattern by The Sewing Workshop]. Rayon fabric from Kushukuru by Jessica Swift for Art Gallery Fabrics. |
During the last two months of shelter-in-place, I have been able to complete quite a few of my Make Nine 2020 items. Taking inspiration from the participants and garments of Me Made May, the time had come to tackle a new substrate—rayon.
My MixIt Top: process and modifications
In October 2019, I chose the MixIt Top [pattern by The Sewing Workshop] for its simplicity and loose, casual fit to fulfil my Rayon Wild Card project. If I was going to try sewing with a more drapey fabric, a simple pattern with minimal garment pieces seemed a good idea. The test muslin was made last year as well. My pattern modifications were:
- narrowed the shoulder
- lowered the bust dart
- added an inch to the length
- lengthened the sleeve (personal preference)
- I also opted to omit the top button and button loop (for a more breezy, casual look).
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| Adjusting the bust dart and adding length to the pattern. |
The fabric is a rayon from Art Gallery Fabrics. It's called "Everlasting Imprint" from the Kushukuru collection by Jessica Swift. (This print also comes in a cotton woven.) Kushukuru means "gratitude" in Swahili.
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| Lengthening the cap sleeve. |
Would you believe the pattern pieces for this top were also cut out last October?? It was just waiting to be sewn! On the last day of Me Made May, I jumped in.
It took one day.
May 31.
The last day of Me Made May 2020.
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| MixIt Top made during Me Made May 2020. |
I still have to topstitch the side vents, but I couldn't wait to try it on! I wore it all day... unfinished side hems and all. Heavenly.
Why did I wait so long? I guess life just happened... as it often does... and takes us to alternate routes. However, a second rayon MixIt is already on the cutting mat.
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| Back and side vent view. |
