I saw this Cali Faye Valley top online at least a year ago and loved it. I had a top like it back in the 1970’s, except in rougher fabrics. I had a small piece of swiss dot cotton, and bought a bit of rayon to complement it. It’s got pirate sleeves!
There are many things I like about this — the front and back yokes, the single button, the wide sleeves, and the cuffs that open at the inner sleeve seam. I never wear long sleeves with the cuffs buttoned up, so having them open at the inner seam is more logical than the usual. I sewed buttons on the cuffs, but didn’t bother making buttonholes.
I can’t help but think, though, that this looks a lot like it should be a nighty. Is it too, um, virginal for me?? I have some heavy black silk. I wonder how this would look made up in that? Sophisticated, or more like sexier lingerie?
This was a bit finicky to make. The pattern calls for only the front yoke to be lined, but I chose to line the entire yoke because the swiss dot cotton was so thin. The instructions call for sewing the yoke and the yoke lining and then sewing them together at the neckline. Then you’re supposed to sew just the front yoke to the gathered body, then flip the yoke to sew the yoke lining along the same line. It actually did work. I tried to do the same for the back, but couldn’t sew the full back yoke lining to the body that way. Anyway, it’s tricky enough to sew a yoke to a gathered piece without having to do it twice on the same sewing line. I think if I make this again (and again choose to line the whole yoke), I’ll pin both yoke and yoke lining to the body and sew it once (as you do for a standard button up shirt). Then sew the shoulders together at the end.
I think I’m going to enjoy wearing this. It’s really light and airy.
And now, I do believe I have enough summer clothes, and might take a bit of a break to do a bit of knitting.
Lovely! Not nightie-ish at all. I think it would be a fab nightie if you made a long version, but the top has more of a mediaeval look. I love it.
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I tend to like medieval-looking male clothing. It all seemed so comfortable 🙂 Thanks for your comment Berte.
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Agree with tnb above.
Black? Sophisticated, definitely!
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You think? I’ll put it on a tentative list for the winter.
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Think dramatic long dark skirt & plenty of blingy jewellery for New Year’s. 🎉
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I’m with you here Felicia, I can’t help returning to the designs and patterns that I liked previously and knew I suited and looked good in.
A lovely top that transcends the decades. Stay true to your style.
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Thanks!
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Love this top. The fabric is perfect, and the neckline with the little button is lovely. A throwback to be sure, but a bit modernized. Lovely!
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Are you saying this is a vintage piece? I wonder if the designer intended that brffffffff. Glad you like it and thanks for saying 🙂
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It does remind me of a peasant blouse I once had. And I’m old, so yup, it must be vintage. 😉
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This looks very suitable for the lovely weather we have been having, and perhaps you too! It’s a very pretty top. (although I am terrified of wearing white because I am always getting it dirty in an instant!)
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I like white tops. At one point a few years ago I considered wearing only white tops as a sort of quasi-uniform. But, since I started sewing, I’ve also started spilling all kinds of stuff on the new items. I swear it didn’t used to happen that much.
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It’s nice to see the white, like a linen, mixed with other solid muted linen colours. It’s very stylish!
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I think everyone needs a white, soft, light top for warm days. And this one fits the bill beautifully. I like it alot and would wear it with lots of different bottoms. I think it would look nice with something fitted like shorts or a fitted skirt, too. Nice work. And dying to see your knitting!!
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Thank you Kate. I just made a knitting mistake! Will leave it until the morning.
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