I drafted up a piece 8cm x 4cm plus seam allowances and interfaced it.
Its still a bit soft so I think it'll need several layers and/or stiffer interfacing in future.

I've bound the neckline, doing it firmly on the back neck and more loosely on the front neck.

I gathered 10cm into the 4cm square, this doesn't seem to be enough (it was hard to measure the original).

I don't remember that sorry @Helen M but I can imagine how it'd work.

BTW I posted this on my blog too (as somewhere to link the pics from) and have a few comments back.

"Burda magazine did have a top like this, I think in a may issue maybe fifteen years ago. I thought about making it but didn’t. I will try to remember to dig it up and report back."

"I would look for a darted top pattern that fits the way you like and then rotate all the darts to the CF neckline."

"liesl and co cappuccino has what you want horizontally - you would still have to change it vertically."

I love this RTW top, it is deceptively simple with the front gathered into a square of reinforced jersey which is embellished with beads and sequins.


I'd like to make my own version, but have never found a pattern that was quite the same.

In theory all I need to do is slash and spread where the gathers are, and work out how to sew the square (its actually a rectangle that folds over to the back).


I'm open to ideas for the patternwork and/or a pattern which would be like this - I wonder if Burda magazine ever did one?

If it is too bulky to just fold over and hem, you can snip into it at the fold line, and have some one way and some the other

Lovely!

It has got a raglan sleeve rather than a set in sleeve, and these type of sleeves often come in two pieces or have a dart at the top. Its a good idea for this type of coat as the armhole seam is easier to do.

Lovely, thanks so much for showing it to us on you!

Dunno if I've got any of those crystals (maybe in garage).
I have got out an old shower curtain (aqua stripes) which I think could be useful. May have a go today.

I've been thinking about making myself a waistcoat with pockets for freezer packs as a way of cooling me down - its due to be over 30 degrees Wed to Sunday here and I'm not built for heat.
Various online things include making cool packs, but I thought I'd do something simple involving a waistcoat with a lot of pockets and just put it on over my clothes and fill the pockets with cool box packs (I have various sizes).