August 28, 2014

Liberty Island Sorbetto


Attempting to make woven tops fit my chest is no small feat. Is it any wonder then that I adjusted one to fit and have never even tried another? Oh, adjusted Sorbetto, how I love you, even though you look like a mutant compared to the original version (note for curvy ladies: it’s a good pattern to practice FBA-ing!).
So when I snagged some gorgeous Liberty tana lawn from EmmaOneSock earlier this year, what could it be but yet another Sorbetto?

Check out the design below: have you ever seen anything so summery? Yachts! Dinghies! Huts! Rowboats! Buckets and spades!

I used Grainline’s fab “how to get a flat bias neckline” tutorial. Even though I’ve done bias edging a thousand times, her little tips made a big difference. My favourite one is to understitch the bias first before doing the final stitching… genius! I also do the version where you fold all the bias to the inside rather than having it show on the outside – it’s much easier to get a neat finish and I think it looks more RTW.

A simple top, and it’s getting tons of use! In the meantime, do you want to see more photos of the wonderland that is Nantucket? I know you do.
Me showing off my new pad (if only), in a Boden maxidress:

And cycling out to the lighthouse in Katy & Laney tap shorts!

What are your woven top TNTs, readers? Should I go to the considerable effort of adjusting another one, or just make the Sorbetto forever?

14 thoughts on “Liberty Island Sorbetto

  1. Your holiday looks lovely! I love New Look 6808 – I’ve made it long sleeved, 3/4 sleeved, sleeveless and mashed it up with the laurel to make a perfect shift dress. Love it and have at least 2 more planned for summer. I say why reinvent the wheel when your current wheel is awesome!

    1. Jenny says:

      Ooh I’ve never seen that pattern before but I really like it! The under bust darts and cap sleeves are great – sounds like a winner

  2. Laurwyn says:

    I did my first Sorbetto this summer in a lovely fuschia silk. It is so easy to make!
    Your version is so pretty! It’s a great example of a simple pattern beautified by a gorgeous fabric.
    And I have visited the Liberty store quite a few times. All the fabrics are so pretty, and I drooled everytime on the silks. Though, for some reason, I always get helped by the same employee that looks at me weirdly and makes the experience less pleasant. His attitude is very unbritish and he makes me feel like it’s not my place. Bah, I don’t care! And luckily, my husband has regular business trips to London, usually during sales 🙂 And he always comes back with some fabrics for me!

    1. Jenny says:

      That’s a shame about the Liberty employee! I’m always amazed when shop assistants are rude because it’s hardly going to encourage you to buy. I’m very impressed by your husband though! Where can I get myself a husband like that?!

  3. Oh, Nantucket… I love pretentious New England towns, I really do. This print is so perfect, dude! What a great top! Really, really cute. Let’s see, my favorite woven tops are my Sorbetto hack (with a yoke and gathers) and Simplicity 1690 (only works for really drapey stuff because it’s pretty shapeless, but it’s cute and easy to wear).

    1. Jenny says:

      Me too! It was like being in a Ralph Lauren ad, and I enjoyed playing “spot the billionaire” (to be fair it’s a pretty easy game on Nantucket). Loved your Sorbetto hack – dart less tops are sadly not for me so I shall just live in jealousy!

  4. Louise says:

    I’m the same, I spent ages fitting the Sorbetto to my curvy shape and it looks nothing like the original but it fits! I’ve made one with and without the pleat with decorative bias bindings and plan to draft a Peter Pan collar and other variations such as colour blocking etc. Theres also a free sleeve http://sew-incidentally.blogspot.com.au/2011/08/sleeve-pattern-for-sorbetto-top.html which I haven’t used yet but plan to incorporate that in my top/blouse world domination! P.S. love that fabric!

    1. Jenny says:

      Thanks Louise!

  5. Janet says:

    I am looking forward to working with Butterick 6100. I like this pattern because it has separate pattern pieces for cup sizes and sleeves. I may add darts to the back for a more fitted look. Wish me luck!

    1. Jenny says:

      Interesting, I’ll have to check it out!

  6. Amanda says:

    This is a perfect top for summery days! I have not TNT woven pattern top yet- as we slowly defrost to spring I want to give the Scout tee ago again and finally try a FBA. Ahhh!

    1. Jenny says:

      Let me know how it goes – I’ve heard many people love it!

  7. dottiedoodle says:

    What a beautiful place! Love the top. I haven’t got a TNT top pattern yet, but have high hopes for the keyhole back version of Mccalls 6751.

  8. Nita says:

    I sewed my first Sorbetto a couple of days ago. The darts ended up about two inches above my boobs. Argh! Off I go to climb a few more rungs on the learning ladder!

Let me know what you think!