Monday 27 August 2012

Silk Jersey - Simplicity 4885

Just recently I saw a piece of milk coloured silk jersey on ebay L120cm x W40cm.  I put it on my watch list because I wasn't sure it was enough to make anything out of, and gave myself a top price I was willing to pay.



Searches on the internet gave me silk jersey prices around £45-60 per metre, so I figured I didn't have too much to lose on this purchase if I didn't pay too much for it, and eventually I paid £4.45 including the postage.

I was delighted when my package arrived so quickly in the post, and my initial thoughts were, feels lovely etc etc., but to my horror, and not declared by the seller, there  was a large hole in the fabric and it had been written on too.  This of course reduced my options as to what I could make from it.



When I first opened my package, I did originally think silk scarf, but decided that was a waste of the fabric, and I really wanted to make this up into a wearable garment so I could decide if I wanted to invest in some more silk jersey to make twin sets, cardigans or even a nice dress.  If I am very lucky, I may find some silk jersey in KL when I fly out there next month.

Using my Bento pattern storage system, I looked through my patterns and came across Simplicity 4885 which included a nice little camisole top.


I cut out the pattern pieces, and I am pretty sure I was holding my breath when I placed them on the fabric, and can you believe that I managed to just about get them on.


Once all pieces were cut out, I proceeded with sewing this up.  The facings called for interfacing so in order to keep this soft, I selected Perfect fuse sheer and here is the end result.




Because this is a lovely soft silk the straps had a tendency to fall off my shoulders and I didn't want to shorten them which would result in shortening the overall length of the top, so I used some clear elastic and stitched 2" of it to the top of the straps (underneath)using a zigzag stitch just to give a little extra grip.

I am pleased with the results having  converted my scrap of fabric into a lovely little cami top, which will work perfectly with my coral linen cropped pants and blouse.  This ensemble will definitely be packed in my suitcase for Kuala Lumpur.

I need to do some more weeding in the front yard, so catch you later.............







9 comments:

  1. Did you get onto the vendor about the lack of adequate description? I've done this in the past (a hank of wool weighed 75g instead of the 100g. She not only replaced it FOC, but also sent the remainder of the same batch as a 'sorry'.

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    1. Yes I guess I need to, but have had other things to do - still I managed to work around it but it was really annoying.

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  2. You made a lovely job using up a scrap! I bet it feels lovely to wear silk jersey, have not tried it. Enjoy!

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    1. Cal it feels beautiful against the skin - I hope it will work well in the heat of Malaysia

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  3. Thanks for this post Pauline. I've often thought I'd like to try it and it is so expensive! Your cami looks great and not see though or thin which is how I visualize silk jersey.
    Pauline ,thank you for finding my blog after my fiasco of messing up my web address. So happy you did.
    I hope you don't mind me asking you this but is there a reason you have only one post per page on your blog?

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    1. Thanks Diana, I have post a comment re your question on your blog.

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  4. What a nice cami to wear with your new outfit. I also agree that you need to talk to the vendor about not posting in the description there was a hole and writing on the silk. I have caught our fabric store trying to include writing in my purchase and make them give me that piece free. Ditto for holes and dirty marks.

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  5. Your cami looks great, Pauline!
    I adore silk jersey. It's a dream to sew and so lovely to wear. It is expensive, but I can tell you that it holds up very well in the wash. I put my tops in the machine with my other delicates on a gentle cycle. No problems. Hang to dry.

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  6. I just knew that's what the linen was for! Well done on the sexy top in the silk.

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