Sewaholic/Style Arc Mash Up

Way back last month, I made a couple of Style Arc Courteney tops which I really like, but at the time I wrote of my wish to combine both this pattern and my long time favourite Sewaholic Belcarra.  Good things can sometimes take time.  Well they do when I am involved in them anyway!  I think though I may have created my favourite top pattern of the season.  I say season, because being of a fickle nature there will be something else shiny and new to capture my attention further down the track, but for now I have serious top love!

My aim was to combine the relaxed nature of the Courteney top with the fitted shape of the Sewaholic Belcarra.  One would think that the whole idea of such a thing is an oxymoron but alas no, I believe I have achieved what I set out to do.  Over the years, I have worked out that the most flattering silhouette for my shape involves a fitted or semi fitted waist.  Without this illusion I can appear somewhat bottom heavy, which I am of course, but I certainly don't want to appear that way when I don't have to, right!  I also don't always want to be wearing fitting clothing.  In fact, I often don't want to be wearing fitting clothing.  I am actually quite partial to the whole relaxed weekend look.

I started by redrafting the entire Belcarra pattern.  In the past I have found the neckline extremely large and lazy me has just eyeballed the neckline changes each time I have cut it out.  This time, I got out my pen and paper and did it properly.  Yay me!  I then added a yoke to my new pattern as per the Courtney pattern,  but at the back only. Next, I added an inverted pleat to the back of the top to the same dimensions as my Courtney pattern.  Just for a little more interest I created a small high low hem with side vents.

I made the entire top up in some lovely rayon that I scored at the op shop.  I have made a lot of op shop fabric items up lately but I have had some seriously good luck on the shopping front there recently and haven't bought much fabric at all at the fabric shop.

I finished the neckline with self made bias tape in matching rayon. I am really happy with both the finish of the top and the way it hangs.  I really like rayon for it's wearability, durability and it is lovely and cool to wear in the summer.

Will I make another Belcarra/Courtney top?  Definitely!  I could have some fun combining remnants to come up with different fabric combinations.  I just have to work out how to squeeze more hours into my day!

These photographs were taken last weekend on our camping trip to Lake Benmore.  Lake Benmore is a man made lake that was created for the purpose of generating electricity.  There are a series of hydro stations on the canals leading to Lake Benmore.  This particular station is Ohau C. It may well be a man made creation but it is a beautiful part of the world nonetheless. 

I assure you, the road in the photo at the top was not a busy one. That is what my husband was telling me anyway.  Either that or he was hoping for a little insurance money coming his way!