Windowpane Linen Shell

Following up on last week’s sleeveless top, here’s another from my closet.  When I started sewing again, a number of years ago, I attempted a commercial pattern for a sleeveless shell with a rounded square neck and side button closure.  It was a disaster from a fit perspective, and at that time I didn’t have enough knowledge to know what to do to fix it.  A few years later I drafted a similarly styled top using Pattern Master Boutique software and this time it fit like a dream.

The fabric is a pink windowpane linen.  I underlined this semi-sheer fabric to prevent the seam allowances from shadowing through and also to minimize wrinkles.  I’m not certain but I think I used a cotton voile fabric that I am fond of using as underlining.  The top is lined with bemberg rayon.  My plan to pipe the neckline and armholes ran into a snag because of the side seam closure.  I wasn’t able to use the traditional “turn through the shoulder” method which requires an open center front or back seam.  Instead I had to pipe the front and back separately; it took some fiddling (and prayer) to get the two joins to match perfectly at the shoulder.  In this picture you can also see the embroidered ribbon label I like to use in my garments.

Happy weekend, everyone!