Whilst poking around in Mom’s closet, a certain lovely lightweight top caught my attention. I instantly recognized the 80s-ness of this garment, and brought it out for further explanation (and the vague hope that I could perhaps wrangle it into my own closet).
Turns out the top was made from a 1986 Butterick pattern that Mom had thrifted from her favorite consignment shop.
Mom is a seamstress of a very high caliber. While I’m not sure exactly when she first picked up a needle, perhaps her sewing journey truly began when Dad gave her a Singer Touch & Sew machine in 1966 before they even got married. This machine has seen pretty much constant use from that moment forward. It is the ONLY sewing machine Mom has ever had and it has given her zero problems over the years. She confided that only this year did it need servicing.
They don’t make things like they used to, do they?
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| Dad not only bought this machine for Mom... |
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| ...he took these pictures! Thanks, Dad. |
As mentioned in my previous post, Mom can sew ANYTHING. She would have sewn us our house were that possible. Lingerie, bathing suits, bridesmaids dresses, pants, shirts for women and men, curtains, sundresses, hats to go with those sundresses. Of course she made our prom dresses, thinking nothing of sewing my black strapless gown in satin and chiffon, notoriously “difficult” fabrics. NO PROBLEM.
And don’t get me started on the crafting! From braided rugs to Ukrainan painted eggs (she is not Ukrainian but learned this wax-resist method of decorating eggs), from floral arranging and Japanese needlepoint….she’s done it and done it well. And I’m only scratching the surface, here!
Obviously, it is ever so helpful to have a Mom like mine, in so many ways. Naturally she advises me in my sewing and in my previous post, she styled the photo shoot. This time, I’m posting about a top she made because it is just so cute and SO 1980s!
Mom told me she was attracted to the neckline of View B. She also modified the pattern by essentially cropping the top where the black lines are on the line drawing:
She also added a one inch elastic at the bottom.
The fabric is lightweight, breathable, semi-opaque and some kind of cotton or cotton blend. The fabric and elasticized waist moves this garment into the "blouse" category for me. Although it is still a casual piece, it could easily be dressed up with a pencil skirt and heels.
Mom didn’t want to model it, so I did. But sadly, it went back into HER closet after the photo shoot. Guess I’ll just have to make my own someday!
You’ll just have to steal that sucker, kid.
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