More of the Sewing

A few weeks ago, when I was cutting out the Scenic Top (see the previous post for the details, links, and fabrics), I realized that since the fabric was 58 inches wide, I would have enough of the original two yards to get a second top.  Since the Scenic Top is semi-fitted, I wanted something with different lines, so I decided to make another Lou Box Top.  In the back of my head was the thought that I didn't need two plain, purple tops, so I decided to make the Scenic Top plain (especially since it was my first time with the pattern), and add something to the Lou Box top.  I didn't know yet what the something was that I wanted to add.

I thought and thought and played with different ideas, but nothing was quite right.  In the meantime, I kept sewing my way through the pile I had cut out and ready to sew.  (I always cut out at least three or four projects when I cut, that way I can keep up my sewing momentum without having to stop and cut again as quickly.)  The Scenic Top and the Lou Box Top were at the bottom of the pile, waiting for me.

Finally, as I sewed the Scenic Top, I used a scrap of Art Gallery Voile in a print that I really liked with the purple (but had no purple in it) for the bias neck edge finishing.  The directions for this finish are a little different with this pattern, but the finished result came out looking better than any other bias edging I've ever done.  As I was looking at the finished Scenic Top, my brain wondered, "What if we use this on the Lou Box top, on the outside?"  I knew that would be perfect!  I decided to use the finish on both the neckline and the sleeves (using a normal hem for the lower edge), and to add a pocket of the voile print just for fun.

So here is my finished Lou Box top, with exposed bias edgings and pocket!  This was such a fun thing to try, I've had to stop my brain from looking at different linen and voile/lawn combinations several times.  I'm sure I will do something like this again.  I might even use the exposed bias edge on the Scenic Top itself someday!