Sewing Vloggers

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Upcycle a la "Antipast"


"Antipast" is one of several designers carried  by shop in Charleston, S. Carolina that also has a website. It is called Worthwhile.  I saw this top and fell in love with it. I can't seem to find a price for it but haven't found anything in their store under 395.00. We're talking 695-895.00 for skirts. I originally saw this on Pinterest and thought, "what a great recycle." While I still think it is nothing more than a recycle it is not being marketed as such.


   This top is basically a tee made from voile with a sweater cut apart and appliqued to the top. As I said I love the concept but the execution of a garment selling for over four hundred dollars is horrible. Check out the side vent:

 

So duly inspired I am attempting to make my own interpretation of this garment. I have a white crochet top that shrunk horrendously but I don't throw out anything handmade. It seems to have sort of felted because cutting it is like cutting iron and it doesn't seem to fall apart despite being cut. I was taking all sorts of precautions when I cut the first slice but quickly realized  I could just slice into it then stitch away. Here is how I started. 

First I picked my pattern. I decided to use my now TNT top pattern that I just made the pintucked damask top with, Simp 2192, a Cynthia Rowley design.  Once that was decided it was time to cut the crocheted top.  It was easy . This is a rough cut. It will be fine tuned later.

Here is the fabric I am using for the tee. I wanted a lot of texture in this. I also wanted something with the sheer factor fairly obvious. I decided on this 100% cotton batiste with some flowers on it.

I added center front and center back seams to my pattern. I liked seeing the seams between the sweater parts. The CB and CF seams and also the shoulder seams were put together with french seams. This fabric has been really nice to work with. Aren't all totally natural fibers?  The next thing to do before adding the sweater parts was to finish the neckline. At first I thought I might do the Kenneth King tiny hem and then over wrap it with perle cotton for more texture. Then I remembered I had a mess of entredeaux. So I finished the neckline with a simple traditional application of the entredeaux. I love entredeaux.




 I trimmed 3/8s of an inch off of the neckline seam, leaving me a 1/4 inch seam. I cut the entredeaux edges back to a quarter inch as well. Then I just placed right sides together, raw edges matching, and stitched right up to the entredeaux with my edge stitching foot. You can see the blade running right next to it. This was then pressed to the wrong side of the neckline and once again using the ES foot and 3 clicks to the left I topstitched the entredeaux on the right side.Then I removed the remaining batiste from the entredeaux.


Once this seaming and neckline were done I had a pallet to work with. I put the top on my dress form and played with placement of the sweater parts. I decided the best look would be to cut around some of the circular shapes of the sweater parts. I also wanted a good amount of batiste showing at the hemline. I started snipping and pinning till it fulfilled my vision. Right now I am in the process of hand sewing the sweater fronts to the fabric with size 80 cotton thread. It literally is invisible. So in this top so far I have french seams, entredeaux, and appliqueing with heirloom very fine size 80 thread. It will be different looking than the inspiration but I think will make a fun light summer top.
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Blogging and sewing have been sporadic. White shirt number two has been in a lump on my couch with a pile of buttons sitting on top. I just haven't gotten to it, but I will soon. My darling hubby is not doing well and his situation is worsening. He is not in a life threatening situation but is in extreme pain and other nasty things like total bed rest. We will leave northern NY this week for Beth Israel/Deaconess hospital in Boston and hopefully resolution and recovery. I am not sure when the next blogpost will be but will try my hardest to make it as soon as possible. Sewing and blogging connect me to the most wonderful people and give me the most satisfying feeling. It would be hard to give up anything that special. So, I will be back hopefully soon but probably not too predictably....Bunny


28 comments:

  1. Best wishes to you and your Dear Husband, Bunny. Praying he gets well soon.

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  2. Bunny,
    I hope everything goes well for you husband and that he heals quickly.

    I like the idea of taking a couple of tops that have shortened in the dryer or that I've outgrown and make them wearable again.

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  3. Good luck with your hubby. It will take a lot of your time and care and love. Remember to take time for yourself too. It's too easy to get caught up in their thing and get sick yoruself!

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    1. That's why I took time to make this top today. It was such fun to work out the details. Now those buttons staring at me............

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  4. Bunny, beautiful fabric choices. Love the entredeaux neckline finish. Did you make the entredeaux trim or purchase it? So sorry to hear your husband is struggling with his health, and hope he is well again soon.

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    1. p.s. If the top from the store is 'worth' $400, the value of yours would be at the very least double, likely triple!

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    2. The entredeaux is purchased. Thanks for the "appraisal".

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  5. I hope that all goes well for your husband and good luck to you.

    Heather

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  6. I hope that all goes well for your husband and good luck to you.

    Heather

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  7. Isn't crazy how we sewers look at these designer garments like the Antipast one and first gasp at the price v the construction and quality, and 2nd think "I could do that" - I am exactly the same. Your new top is looking great and will no doubt outshine the one you saw in the shop.

    Good luck with your hubby - I hope they find a solution soon it must be frustrating for both of you and of course nobody wants to be in pain.

    Thinking of you and take care

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  8. Knowing what you are going through gives us all pause to be grateful for good health and sending you healing thoughts and prayers during your time away from home. Sewing must take a back seat so as Lynda said, please take time for yourself during this time. Your latest project is just magical and the photos as always precise and delightful!

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  9. Safe travels this week and I'm hoping that Ern will be seen by some dr.'s that will be able to get him some relief from all his pain. As always, your blog posts are so inspiring! I'm always aghast at both the shoddy construction as well as the prices on the Worthwhile website - who buys that? Obviously not anyone looking for quality construction. I know your top will be stunning when you get it done. :)

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  10. Your sewing is always perfect. I can't wait to see the finished top.
    Best wishes for a speedy recovery for your hubby.

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  11. Thinking of you Bunny...and wishing your husband a speedy recovery.

    (Yes, of course...the blouse will be as beautiful as always)

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  12. I hope your husband feels better soon. That top is going to be beautiful.

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  13. Good project, Bunny. Thanks for pointing out your target to be cloned top. Good luck to you and your husband. I hope he meets a resolution soon ~Mary Beth

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  14. Your top will be spectacular, as all your creations. You have a lot on your plate, with an ill husband, hospitals, etc. I do know because I live that life, too. Blessings and best of health to you both.

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  15. It sounds beautiful (your top) and stressful (your husband). You are in my thoughts and prayers and hopefully the new doctor/hospital will lead to a big improvement.

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  17. As usual with you, a good idea made much better. Especially do I love the entredeux neckline.

    Good wishes to you and DH this week.

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  18. The 'shrunk' crocheted lace you are using is gorgeous! Prayers for your husband and you!!

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  19. thinking good thoughts and speedy recovery for your DH, and take care of yourself too.

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  20. Take care of both of you. Wishing him a speedy recovery and you happy sewing time.

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  21. Sending you prayers for your DH. I do so much look forward to seeing the completed item. I am certain it will be lovely. Don't forget to take care of yourself!

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  22. I hope that his hospital visit will restore him to health. I send you both my best wishes for a speedy recovery.

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  23. Know that I am sending my most sincere wishes for your husband's return to robust good health, and a continuation of your strength...

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  24. Best wishes for your husband to feel better soon. And thank you so much for the entredeaux instructions: I want to try that edging technique. You are such an inspiration!

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