A Modern Merlin?!

I started on this Lisette Portfolio top back in September when I was eager to try out my new dress-making scissors (which are awesome by the way!)















I was using a very thin cord as I wanted a top that would be perfect for winter wear - I like my layers! - and went for contrasting pockets which, okay no-one else is going to see but me, but it's a bit of fun!

The pattern is quite straightforward to follow. And I loved how the pockets come together. The main issue that I had was with fitting the yoke to the top - the central section was too big by nearly 5/8" on each side! After doing lots of double checks of all my seams and re-reading the instructions a few times I resorted to the blogosphere. I found that quite a few people had experienced this issue so I chopped off the excess and carried on as normal. I also made a minor adjustment to the instructions for the button loops - the cord was just too thick to turn inside out so I folded it up like bias binding and then top-stitched.

I used some small black buttons and my top was finally done. Ta-da!
Lisette Portfolio by fabric&flowers




















I have to confess that its a little snugger than I thought it would be. The ease on the pattern envelope suggested that I would be swimming in it and I took quite a while deliberating which size to actually go for (I went for a 10 in the end). In reality the dress fits well, which I suspect is partly down to using a cord fabric which is a little bit 'sticky' and hasn't got a lot of flow due to it's thickness.
Lisette Portfolio by fabric&flowers




















And I do love my secret surprise pockets. Perfect for all those tissues that I'll be needing for the sniffle season! The gathering around the neck is such a clever detail - I'm not sure that I'd ever go for contrasting fabrics as per the pattern suggestion as it's a bit bold for my own dress sense, but I might well be a bit more adventurous with my fabric choices next time I do this pattern
Lisette Portfolio by fabric&flowers

And this is how I'll probably wear it, layered up with a scarf!
Lisette Portfolio by fabric&flowers




















Because of using the cord fabric I spend quite a lot of time cutting out the excess fabric, and even modified the sleeve construction so as to reduce the amount of thickness that was there.

When I first modelled it for Mr f&f he did admit to thinking that it looked like I was going to be an extra for Merlin! Still I'm going to believe that Merlin is actually Modern and wear it with pride anyway!

Sx

Todays sky ● overcast. Boo!

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