Welcome to Day 4 of the Fresh Start Blog Tour with DG Patterns*! It’s that time of year to make a fresh start: new habits, new wardrobes, and new things. Every day this week, my fellow bloggers and I will be sharing how we’re getting a fresh start with DG Patterns. There’s also a giveaway sponsored by Southern Belle Fabrics, so be sure to enter that!
Since DG Patterns* is a new to me designer, I decided to try something that seemed interesting but also fairly easy. To fit that bill, I went with the Marino Top, Tunic & Dress*. This pattern advertises an asymmetrical design with 3 sleeve length options, and can be made from woven or knit.
I’m also participating in the 52 Week Sewing Challenge this year, and the week 2 challenge (which is when I made this) was to make something with your most recently acquired fabric. My most recent fabric purchase was flannel from JoAnn’s Black Friday sale but since I didn’t have time to make PJ’s last week, I chose to use the *next* most recent fabric, which was a couple of yards of custom ombre double brushed poly from Simply By Ti.
My initial plan for this fabric was to make a maxi skirt, and to be honest, I regret not doing that now because I think the asymmetrical design plus horizontal stripes don’t really work together. In hindsight, making this shirt on the bias may have been a better idea. But, you live and you learn, and maybe it will start to grow on me! I was happy though that I managed to get all my stripes matched!! *win*!
The Marino Top* is fairly easy to make, though I did run into a few issues with the instructions, which are easily remedied. I would suggest making a muslin for this pattern as there’s some hand drafting you’ll need to do.
The bodice pattern pieces are cut on the fold. Initially I didn’t think anything of this, but then when I started cutting out my muslin, I was like… wait… asymmetrical cannot be on the fold. I ended up tracing a second copy of the bodice, taping it to my original pattern piece and then I used my hip curve ruler to draft the new hemline. I think for mine, it ended up too high – I should have realized this when I made the muslin, but I didn’t! As a result, putting my arms up in the air shows off my midriff, so next time I would drop that side down a little more.
The patterns are drafted for 5’10”!! So, if you are tall, then huzzah! you might be adjustment free! I’m 5’8″ so I decided to leave the length as is, but found I needed to take 3 inches out of the sleeves.
Originally I graded the pattern from a 4 bust to 6 for waist and hip. There is a fair amount of ease in this design however so after making the muslin I decided to do a size 4 all over.
The instructions call for bias tape for finishing the woven version neckline however they don’t include information for the knit neckline, so I checked in with the designer (who is lovely by the way!) to find out what to do. After chatting with her, I cut a 1″ strip of the double brushed poly, measured the neckline (without seam allowances) directly from the pattern pieces, and cut a strip that was about 75% less than that length. I serged it onto the neckline however I suggest you use your sewing machine or chain stitch to attach it so it can sit better with less bulk. I was going to chain stitch it with my coverstitch, but it was fighting against me that day (the next day I changed the needle and it was happy again…). I do love the neckline though – facings are such a nice way to finish the necklines on womens’ tops.
DG Patterns* has quite a few eye catching designs and right now they’re all 50% off with code “FRESHSTART50” until Monday January 22, 2018, so go check them out!
**I received a complimentary copy of the Marino Top/Dress by DG Patterns in exchange for participating on this blog tour. Opinions are 100% my own.**
Be sure to visit the rest of the blog tour:
Monday: Sew Cucio, Flax Field Sewing, Fee Bricolo, mahlicadesigns, Sewjourns
Tuesday: Lilla Gumma, Create Whimsy, Frullemieke, Hutsepruts, A Custom Clothier
Wednesday: House of Estrela, FABulous Home Sewn, Spools + Oodles of Fun, Sprouting Jube Jube
Thursday: Very Blissful, Stitches by Laura, Auschick Sews, it’s Liesel
Friday: Kathy’s Kwilts and More, Stitched by Jennie, Sewsewilse, Our Play Place
Southern Belle Fabrics is generously sponsoring the Fresh Start Tour.
During the tour use code: DGBLOGTOUR to save 20% in the shop.
Discount code expires Jan 21st 2018 11:59PM CST
Southern Belle Fabrics is also offering a fabric giveaway.
Enter below to win a MFRB Mystery Box valued at $60+.
Giveaway includes shipping to US and Canada (up to $45 in free shipping)
A Rafflecopter Giveaway
Giveaway winner will be announced through social media on or about January 20th.
auschick sews 
I’m loving this color on you!! Looks Great!
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Thank you! I do enjoy wearing bright colors 🙂
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Cute top and love the color of fabric, too. 🙂
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I love this fabric! I am making the Marino Top & found your blog by doing a search. I have run into the same problem with the asymmetrical hem. I actually cut my good fabric though & have no idea how to fix this. Now my hem has a big V right in the middle of the top. I am very pattern dependant & have never modified a pattern. Can you explain in a bit more detail how you fixed the hem? Thank you so so much!
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Oh no! Ugh it really makes me mad that she hasn’t fixed this pattern. So you’re going to have to freehand a new cut line. I would open it up so you have one layer. I would then do a curve from the center over to the point on the side where you want it to end, keeping in mind the hem allowance as well. I would make sure it’s about hip level (consider how it shows a bit of midriff if you raise your arms). I would not keep the same angle the whole way, otherwise it will end up too high up. Then, I would trace the same shape onto your back piece (either right sides together or wrong sides together so that the seams line up).
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