The Tie Top: Mcalls 7630

Still adding pieces to my ever growing #CapsuleWardrobe. This time it’s this super cute front tie top using McCall’s pattern 7630.

It’s line drawing doesn’t excite much, but when you look closer you see a pattern with good bones. Something that’s basic, but generates lots of ideas. Since most of this wardrobe is career/work wear focused, I needed to dress it up.

I used this silky smooth rayon voile from my stash that I either purchased from G Street Fabrics or Mood Fabrics. I dunno which…side-effect from being a stash-aholic. The fabric is semi-sheer, so for the front and back bodice I doubled the layer, i.e. self-lining. For the sleeves and ties, I wanted them sheer, so they are sewn in a single layer. The ties are actually a long panel sewn at the side seam and bodice front.

Because of the lack of opacity, all seams, except the sleeve insertion, were sewn with french seams. The ties and sleeves are finished with a narrow hem. Umm and it was LOTS of hemming. No serging anywhere, just lots and lots of narrow hems. Some with my narrow hemming foot, some by hand. But it was worth it to give a finished look.

For the neckline, again because I was working with a sheer fabric, I opted out of the facing to finish the neckline and instead used a bias strip folded in half, attached at the neckline, folded out and pressed. I then stitched in the ditch to catch the opposite side.

Instead of the sleeve shown on View F, I went for something different. Real talk, this was where most of my sewing time was spent and most of my drama. Have you ever tried to seam rip rayon voile? Of the seven layers of hell, I am sure this is in one of them.

What I had in mind originally were a few pleats near the hem with the sleeve length stopping at mid-elbow. When I pinned the pleats in place, the look was boring and did’t mesh with the cuteness of the tie front. So the next idea was to add a long ruffle. This didn’t pan out because for some unknown reason Dei thought it was a good idea to buy only 1 1/2 yards. Who does that?! Note to self: minimum 3 yards even if I don’t need it.

 

So I finally settled on a short sleeve length that I split down the middle and closed the two sides with just a simple button. Pretty understated, but more the vibe of the tie front. Once I got my sleeves together, the rest went smoothly.

Yes, I love this top. This is office styled here, but I see wearing this with some white shorts and heels. On to the next piece which I think will be another top. I may sew this again in the future and alter it to a boat neckline and remove some of the volume through the back, but it’s a great pattern.