Simple Tops

It's getting hot here.  And....I'm trying to make tops that match some already made pants/capris.  I was browsing my vintage patterns, and I liked this top pattern because it had some darts.  Specifically, front french darts and back neck darts.  I have found that I feel as though I have less back/shoulder constriction (more driving room) if there are some darts either from the back neck or the shoulder.  I lowered the bust dart about 2"( and lived dangerously) and cut the size 14.5. 

This was the first I sewed.  It is rayon challis.  The original pattern had a neck facing and armhole facings.  Too much trouble and I was concerned that the armscyes would not lie nice with the bit of the cap sleeve look.  I just serged off the extra seam allowance (3/8") and turned under the 1/4" and topstitched in place.  I didn't put a zipper in although the pattern called for a back zipper.  It's a bit tight getting over my head and pulled into place, but it's workable.  This top will go with my navy brussels washer Marrakesh pant (Hot Patterns) as well as the beige pair.  (I have yet to blog about the Marrakesh pants, but they fit well, and I like them very much.)

This weekend I'm meeting some friends for a barbeque Saturday afternoon.  I planned to wear my Lousie Cutting one seam capris (black linen that are at least 2 years old).  I didn't want to go with a T shirt.  I have a white "Pure and Simple" shell, but I preferred to have some color.  So, I went with this same pattern with this fabric that I believe I purchased at Pursley's last summer.  Does the print look familiar to you?  It is the same fabric that Peggy Sagers used in her blouse web video.  I knew that fabric looked familar as I watched that video!

I did put a zipper in this one (16" invisible) and I decided to use facings.  BUT not the separate facings.  I redrew the facings to be "neck and armhole" as one.  Here are my pattern pieces:

I'm happy with it. I'll try to snap a photo when before I leave tomorrow.

As a post script,  these ladies (there are 4 total) are now calling our pasture home.  They actually belong to the fella that will be putting some cows here.  Dockeys are good to protect the cattle from wild dogs/coyotes.  I had never seen spotted donkeys before.  They are not tame, but will come up for feed.  Give me some time and I'll have (hopefully) made them into pets.  They make me smile every day.  As one acquaintance remarked, "Donkeys are the funniest people."