Monday, June 6, 2011

the Lekala drawstring top


I'm sure you've all read by now, but the Russian pattern site Lekala has their designs free for download, as long as you can use a Burda size 44. I went to the site, and fell for this dress, drawstrings and all.

So off I went, printing and taping the pages together, cutting and plotting how I was going to make a size 44 fit. I'm usually a 40 or 42. I found that the Lekala patterns whose lines are printed single, do not include seam allowances. I double-checked, and my pattern was single so voila! I would simply stitch it up on the serger, reducing the seams by about 1/4" all around. Remarkably, this worked and the top fits.


I wanted to make it up as a top in order to determine how well I'd like it as a dress? I'm still torn. It's pretty fitted and I don't know that I want to put that over my butt. Also, the back pieces are different, so there's a center seam down the back and that means there's a possibility of a crooked seam running over my butt.


I had this piece of stripe left over from a previous project, and I like it. Of course I like it, I like stripes! But I could kick myself - I cut the bottom off about two inches too short for my taste.


Anyhoo, if you haven't checked out Lekala's patterns yet, take a gander. You may have to tweak the sizing and there are no english instructions, but a free pattern is a free pattern! I translated the instructions from Russian on two different sites and still ended up winging it.

Whew, two projects snuck into my "no sewing" time. Score!

7 comments:

  1. Another cute one! I keep saying I need to be making shirts, not dresses! I always seem to revert to dresses.

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  2. Nice top, Heather. I'm new to your blog. I think you know by now, you are not alone in the world of collecting fabric and patterns. I too have a ton of fabric and way too many patterns, Lol So we continue with the craft that we love so much. I'll be back. Happy Sewing! Cennetta

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  3. Grand slam. Love this. And the choice of fabric is PERFECT.

    On a totally unrelated subject, I've so been meaning to email you and catch up.

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  4. Dude, this moving thing had GOT to end. Please, sew.

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  5. Oooh. I love that, and I want one too!

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  6. It simple and cool, it looks comfortable and the design is also good.

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