Broderie anglaise upcycled {Dressmaking}

I am very excited about this new top. As soon as I saw Mathilde's simple et blanc I knew I had to make one ... somehow.. Finding the right underskirt to upcycle was probably the hardest part of this project. I watched many items on Ebay pass by - not enough broderie anglaise, dodgy cream/yellowy colour, polyester fabric... Until I found the right one. 

Then I had to find a pattern. It is loosely based on the Nuisette featured in Intemporels pour futures mamans (as in a sewing book for pregnant women - as I mentioned it is loosely based). I loved the simplicity of the front and the curved back. I made a muslin (seen on my facebook page) - and off we were. 

And I am really (really really) pleased with the result, can you tell? It is a very simple top except for the bottom border. It is long enough to cover my hips and it has a slight A-line shape that is flattering. I will be able to wear it with jeans, shorts or maybe skinny trousers (yeah as if that ever happens). I used a 70/10 sewing machine needle as the fabric is lightweight (more on how to choose your needle here)

The original underskirt

Here are my five tips if you are going to buy a second-hand underskirt:

- the price: they seem to be quite popular on Ebay (especially the cotton one) - so beware. It is a very easy top that does not require a lot of fabric, so I would compare the price of a broderie anglaise border and see how much you are willing to spend accordingly. 

- seams and side seams: you cannot really see it, but at the back the broderie anglaise seam is not flush with the side seams (that is how I got the underskirt). If you can ask the seller where the seams are, you may be able to have a better finish. 

- fabric: there are a lot of polyester underskirts out there, it will not be the same finish - just make sure you know what you are buying.

- stains: there was a little one on the underskirt that I managed to remove with some vanish - again beware, these may have been stored in a cupboard for a while

- broderie anglaise: there are some beautiful designs out there, wait for the right underskirt, it will come, and it gives you time to assess how much they go for. 

I am sure this top will appear in many Saturday mixing handmade and highstreet posts - and by the end of the summer you will be sick of it!