Son of Maltop: IT'S ALIVE!

Here's the completed ring-print top modeled after the highly successful Maltop.

When we left off, only the top half of the bodice was completed. The next step was the lower portion of the bodice. It's simply a trapezoid of fabric (an isosceles trapezoid, in fact -- wow, check out that math degree at work!) that's been gathered along the top edge. It's lined in unbleached cotton muslin as well.


On-and-off comes courtesy of a zipper. Everyone loves an invisible zipper! I'm not showing you the completed inside for a reason. The lining of the original Maltop also served as the muslin trial-run of the pattern I made, so it was painstakingly made and fully finished. I was a lazy bastard when it came to this one, so the lining is bare-bones.

Also, you would be liable to discover all my ancient sewing secrets passed down through generations of women with unusual amounts of affection for spray-starch.


Here's a closeup of the ribbon detail at the shoulder. Again, it was a simple matter of creating the gathers using a basting stitch, then holding it in place with a normal stitch. Like the waistband, the ribbon here has been reinforced with heavy-duty iron-on interfacing for more body. The ribbon is just tacked to the lining fabric.

pssst... here's a sneak-preview of my next project:

It's vintage. It's gingham. I can't wait!