best sewing patterns of the year: New Look 6808

Monday 29 July 2013
So here we are half way through 2013 and I've only just noticed the list of the best sewing patterns of 2012 over at Pattern Review which went up in February - clearly I live in my own little world for most of the time (and happily too, I might add!). Maria - I love your black and white print Peony dress featured there, and Melanie's Renfrew top pictured in Machu Picchu no less!

Anyway when I spied New Look 6808 there - a top designed for wovens with a variety of collars I knew I had to try it. Lately I've been thinking that I need a variety of tops in my wardrobe, and since knit fabrics and I are warming up to each other but are still not BFFs a woven top is just what I need.

new-look-6808-white-blue-polka-dot-top

New Look 6808
I made this version from yet another shapeless shift dress that my grandmother had started but not finished, in a lovely crisp white cotton with blue polka dots. She had only got so far as cutting and pinning the pieces together so unfortunately there were quite a few rust marks in random spots after being folded and stored for many years with the pins in place. Another reason not to let your UFOs linger? An initial wash and soak didn't remove the rust spots, so I had to carefully place the pattern pieces to avoid the worst of the rust marks. This meant that I couldn't cut both the front and back pieces on the fold, so I had to move the zipper from the side seam to the centre back, which also meant that I had to split the back collar piece and back facing piece into two pieces. But it all worked out fine, if you didn't know the pattern you wouldn't even glance twice at the back:

new-look-6808-white-blue-polka-dot-top

Size wise I found this pattern to run a little large. I've made quite a few successful New Look patterns lately that needed little adjustments, with New Look 6000 and New Look 6968 being my favourite dresses fitting wise (see here, here, or here), so I just assumed that this pattern would fit as well as those two. I cut out a size 8 at the top grading out to a size 10 at the waist and then a 12 over the hips, but I probably could have gone down a size overall. This top is also very long - I cut four centimetres off the bottom before I hemmed it, and it still finishes at my lower hip which being my widest part is not so flattering unless I always wear this tucked in with whatever I pair it with.

Speaking of which, I did a quick refashion to this poly-wool blend knit sunray pleated skirt in a yummy caramel colour that I found in an opshop ages ago to wear with this top. It was mid calf length but I lopped off about 15cm from the bottom and did a narrow hem, and then I used a blunt disposable razor to shave off all those annoying pills that certain fabrics get and re-pressed all of those pleats to revitalise it and now it looks as good as new.

new-look-6808-white-blue-polka-dot-top

I decided to make view C with the bow neckline, which is a bit different to my usual corporate, plain minimalist look but I guess every now and then you need to let your inner librarian out to play! Plus I am loving the caramel coloured skirt look, from my pinterest pins I found these outfit inspirations:

from left: maisouivintage.com, perfectsuits.tumblr.com, hautesplainesgirl.blogspot.com

Overall I agree with this being included as one of the best sewing patterns for 2012 (although it has been out for several years now) - it is an easy make, could be a well fitting top if you took the time to fit it better than I have here, and it could look dressy or cute depending on the fabric you choose.  I can see myself making a few more versions of it. Sometimes it is worth following the crowd.......

22 comments:

  1. This is a cute top and really looks like you!

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  2. Great top! Love those polka dots. And what a brave woman to hem and then press all those pleats. :-) Well worth it though; the skirt is pretty.

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    1. I did question why I was doing it halway through because pressing all those pleats took ages! It was worth it though in the end

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  3. Love the top on you! I have a soft spot for polka dots. Great job on revitalizing that skirt, it turned out well.

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  4. Camel skirts always make me think of Carolyn Kennedy, my mid-90s style icon. She wore a fabulous pencil skirt with tall boots and a white shirt. LOve, love, love your outfit! Thrifted / home sewn. Perfect!

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    1. I just googled her, she did have fabulous style didn't she?

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  5. Cute top! I like the bow and the polka dots. The skirt is very pretty, too. It reminds me of the one my grandmother used to wear - I always thought it was very flattering.

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  6. Ooh, I forgot about this pattern! It is in my stash somewhere, and I've been needing a fitted top pattern for some idea I can't presently think of... Your top is really cute! Great use of the old material AND skirt refashion.

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  7. That top is sooo cute. Love it. Caramel skirt is very nice too. Great find. (Love the belt!!!). I missed the announcement for the top 10 patterns and scooted over to PR to have a look. Searched for ages and couldn't find it - then came back to your site and saw the link DOH! Thanks for the link.

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  8. Gorgeous top and love polka dots. Great find with the camel skirt, love that colour as well.

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  9. Lovely top. What a great idea to use the fabric from an UFO. May I suggest using a bit if lemon juice on rust spots. I've used it and was quite surprised it worked and didn't discolor my fabric.

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  10. Great styling Kristy. I love the bow and dots combination for the top.
    That skirt looks brand new! It must be because of your attention to detail.

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  11. Handy tip re blunt disposable razor for pilling! Have been looking for an alternative method..

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  12. This is super cute. How can you go wrong with polka dots and a bow. Lovely outfit all together.

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  13. Great outfit, you can remove rust marks from fabric by spreading a paste of lemon juice & salt on the mark, then put in the sun to dry out, brush away the salt when dry, the rust should be gone

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  14. Very nice top and looks good with this skirt. I guess it would look great with jeans too :-)

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  15. How cool to be able to repurpose your grandmother's fabric! I certainly don't see any rust spots in the photos. I just passed up this pattern at the fabric store, but now I'm thinking I shouldn't have, if only for the adorable collar. Such a cute look!

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  16. I had a great result from that pattern too. Your version is lovely.

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  17. Hello!

    This blog post was featured on New Look's Facebook page. I will include the link to the page so you can have a look. Please invite your followers to see your post on our page. I hope you continue doing wonderful work and include New Look into your designs.

    http://www.facebook.com/simplicitypatterns#!/newlookpatterns

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  18. Love your outfit! I've made this top twice & like it but ya, I found it runs long, for a blouse. Will be following your blog now.

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  19. I use lemon juice and salt all the time to remove rust spots. Just beware that if the fabric is colored the lemon juice might slightly bleach the color. It works like magic on white and other light colors though, the spot just disappears.

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