Second SWAP Top

I've finished the second SWAP top so only another four to make. This one is a Bitsa pattern, consisting of a Burda body (the same pattern as the black with large flowers, but with further alterations for fit), a tie collar from a different Burda pattern, and a McCalls sleeve. I had to show a pattern match for my SWAP entry, and this is it. I am quite pleased with the way the match worked across the Centre Front. I cut the shirt without a back seam so that the pattern wasn't interrupted across the back, and it seems to have worked well. And whilst I don't have a match across the sleeves as such, the pattern is not too badly interrupted. The fabric has a row of lavender and a row of cream scrolls going horizontally which, whilst they don't match exactly in terms of the individual scrolls, the overall horizontal pattern has been matched well enough that I am happy with the result.

I wasn't sure how much I would like the tie collar, but I was surprised how versatile it is. I've not worn it yet, but I think it will be able to be worn as a scarf collar, tied round and round up the neck to make a roll neck (polo neck) effect, as well as tied in a bow. I'm not good at tying bows neatly, so having other options is a good thing. Some mornings I have enough trouble dressing myself so that everything is the right way out, and the correct way round... on those sorts of mornings, spending half an hour getting a perfectly tied bow will most likely be beyond me.

The photos aren't the best. The lighting in my sewing room is terrible and these were the best of the bunch (so you can only imagine how dreadful the discarded ones were). Hopefully when it comes to doing the photo shoot for the SWAP itself, I will be able to go outside and take the shots.