As part of Sewing Indie Month, I had the opportunity to make up Tilly’s famous Coco top – and I can totally understand why the sewing interwebs have gone crazy for it!
I used the leftovers from this wrap dress I made ages ago (ages enough ago that I was still taking photos of my dresses on a dressform, at night…. oops). I love the dress to pieces and had saved the last bits of abstract rose jersey but had no plans to use them until… colour blocking inspiration! I combined the jersey with a lovely navy rayon jersey from Grey’s Fabrics, and whipped it together with my serger in mere minutes. Colour blocking was very simple – I simply drew a line across the pattern, and then traced off two new pieces and added seam allowance.
The serged seam across the bust stuck out ever so slightly, so I topstitched it down, which worked a treat.
As I am a wholly predictable creature, I also scooped that neck right out, using my trusty Renfrew as a guide. I used Tilly’s turn-and-stitch approach for the neckline, which was made 1000% easier by the fact that Colette’s new Guide to Knits introduced me to the joy that is Wonder Tape. Does everyone else already use this?! If not, get some! Basically it’s double-sided sticky tape for fabric that doesn’t gum up your needle and washes out… It lets you secure your seam before you sew it, and you can use the edge of it to get a perfect 1/4 inch hem. I’m not sure how I would have finished this slippery rayon without it…
I was a little trepidatious about the sizing, but I cut a straight size 8 and it actually fits on the looser side, probably because I used jersey rather than the recommended interlock which is more stable and beefy. After a brief consideration of scooping out the side seams I thought perhaps I would embrace the flowiness, which is perfect for summer and/or cake consumption.
ENTER THE CONTEST!
You can enter the Sew Indie Month everyday casual contest to win fantastic prizes by submitting a link to your blog, Pattern Review or Kollabora on this page.
Love this top! Looks great on you too! I may have to try this pattern (although haven’t sewn clothing in years, eep!)
Thanks! This top is a great first knit project, so you should go for it! I would recommend starting out with a thicker more stable fabric than me though 🙂
You made a really lovely top, I love the flower fabric and the colour blocking, which I will have to try on my next Coco. I also made my first Coco with the Indie Sewing Contest in mind, I can really envision myself wearing my dress quite often, as it is very comfortable.
Thanks! Can’t wait to see your entry to the competition!
Looks lovely! I LOVE adding yokes to patterns when I don’t have enough fabric, its such a great way to use up the scraps. I also love the wash away wonder tape! I originally bought it for sewing up all the chiffon that I love buying but hate sewing, but I just used it for the neckline on my Moneta and it worked great.
Yokes for the win! And yes I am such a Wonder Tape convert now I’m already ordering my second packet…
Love your top! I, too, discovered the wonders of Wonder Tape through the Colette knits book and have been using it on all of my knit hems since then. I don’t know how it took me so long to discover it!
As far as Everyday Casual goes, I have an SBCC outfit (top + skirt) that just needs hemming and then, of course, photographing.
Can’t wait to see it Michelle!
This is so cute! I really like that print- it’s fun that you have to squint to see what it is!
I enjoy being an enigma 😀
Hi really like it! The color blocking makes me think of one of the dresses of Alison.
I really should source a wondertape retailer in the NL
Love when you can use left over fabric to create something great!
Your outfit looks great!
Laura- DemandBeauty xo
That’s a gorgeous summer top! I’ve been wanted to try the coco for ages but always put off by the neckline maybe once I’ve practice I’ll have a go!
This is lovely, I have only just bought the pattern and your colour blocking is really inspiring.