Flutter Sleeve Top
The second, “definitive” version of the Flutter Sleeve Hack has been completed.
It is made, as my husband noted, of the same stretch lace as my Tee-shirt dress last year.
Actually, my dearly beloved man didn’t realize this was a different garment.
*eyeroll* *headdesk* *facepalm*
Anyway, I’m quite happy with the flutter length and angle etc. I will say that this is not the easiest way to get a flutter sleeve—turning a regular set-in sleeve of a length you like into a flutter is dead easy to get right the first time. On the other hand, this one you don’t need to actually sew on, which is the major win of the BCT pattern all around.
I also quite like how it looks with this knit skirt, which is one of those pieces that, while I love it, doesn’t go with much of anything (except a plain white tank-top). It’s not so much the colour or even style that’s the problem, as the hip-hugging shape; any kind of boxy or detailed top tends to overwhelm it. I feel like I’ve kinda got some vague 20s-vibe going (or maybe that’s just the evening gloves and the shoes).
For the purposes of the photos I was daring and wore the top over my lilac-coloured bra. I think it’s pretty fetching and fairly subtle, but in real life I’ll be wearing the afore-mentioned white tank top underneath. Just saying. I think I prefer the lace with a white underlay anyway—it brightens it up and takes it a little farther from my skin tone.
I did a very simple neckline finish, just zig-zagged some narrow clear elastic to the neckline, folded it under, and topstitched. It turns out I could’ve pulled it a little tighter, but it’s hard to judge on this fabric—the amount of stretch and recovery in the lace is really, um, confusing, somehow.
All in all, this is about as simple and easy as a knit top gets. No hem finishing. No sleeve finishing. Just four seams and the neck-opening.
And that’s all there is to say about that. 🙂
Tanit-Isis Sews 
Soooooo pretty! I love your compilation photo – and that skirt! Great styling. I hope “pretty” isn’t a bad word – if someone told me something I was wearing was “pretty” I’d probably wad it because I have bad associations with the word – but this top suits your skirt so well. That is one stylish outfit. LMAO about *eyeroll* *headdesk* *facepalm* Typical DBM!
I’m happy with pretty 🙂 It definitely works for this top, anyway.
I know, men! 😉
(obviously this doesn’t include any men reading this, who are creatures of fashion and fine taste. 😉 )
That’s so cute! I love the lace, the scallop a the edge is really pretty.
I can see how the skirt is hard to wear. I have a similar skirt, knit, very full with a waistband that folds over. I love it, but I have a really hard time styling it. It looks odd with woven fabrics for some reason, in theory it should fit in my work wardrobe but all the tops I wear with it are too casual.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who finds it a tricky style. Which is too bad, because it really is lovely. 🙂
Oooh, super cute! I love it! The flutter sleeves are perfect.
Thanks!
Very cute. I love the flutter sleeves. And the skirt is perfect with it!
Thank you. 😀
Oh, how fancy and wonderful! Love the whole look!
Yeah, a little over-done. But minus the gloves and crazy shoes it could actually work… 😉
So pretty, I too love the whole look you have going here. I also gotta thank you for comparing the pattern drafts on this and other shirts. It really does help me decide what I will sew when I get some time back. Somehow, I don’t like to wear flutter sleeve, but I love how they look.
And tell your intrepid daughter her monster is amazing. I especially like the lips/mouth. I wish my boys would try something like this. . . .
There are so many looks I love on other people that don’t work on me… sometimes for real, sometimes I just can’t wrap my head around them. 🙂
I will pass on the monster love, she is insanely proud of that thing. 🙂
Congratulations on perfecting your flutter sleeves! I like the look of that second styling with the white and black heels very much. Leave it to husbands to not recognize different garments!
Yeah, I wish I had gotten more photos with those heels. They might be my new favourite pair! 🙂
Sooo pretty! 🙂
I love the black and white shoes with the ankle straps…! My next big investment will be shoes. For sure.
Thanks! I confess I have been stalking the shelves at the local thrift store, using blog photo shoots as an excuse to pick up heels that would be completely impractical for my daily life. Benefit of being a completely average shoe-size ;). And I totally could not resist the faux-saddle-shoe thing of these ones.
That shirt is stunning! I see what you mean about wanting the sleeves just a smidgen longer than your last draft. The neckline looks fine to me, although necklines are my Armageddon when sewing knits. I’m afraid to try clear elastic because it’s itchy.
Isn’t it great when you make something random and then it redeems a closet orphan? I love that. It’s like a gift from the universe.
It is, isn’t it? I was so frustrated, because in theory the skirt works with lots of things—it’s a great colour, great style, good length, comfy—but in practice it’s been so hard to wear.
The clear elastic shouldn’t come into contact with skin when it’s tucked under (and if it did, just tuck it under another time)… but then it’s kind of my knit-neckline crutch. 🙂 The lace itself isn’t the least itchy thing in the world, either, mind you. 😉
It wasn’t even so much the length of the sleeves as getting the length to match (or blend evenly) from shoulder-seam to underarm. I might’ve had less of a headache if I’d traced off half of a set-in flutter-sleeve pattern. Ah, well, ’tis done now! 🙂
Oh, I have missed some business the last few posts! I love what you’ve done with this tee. Now if only I would’ve thought of clear elastic yesterday when I was fighting tooth and nail with a stupid neckline binding. That’s my *headdesk* for the day.
LOL! It’s amazing how many posts you can come up with when each one is about a 30-minute T-shirt project. 😉
I generally prefer bindings, but I wanted a really light, “invisible” finish on this one…
Maybe a photo tutorial of the elastic neckline binding?
Great top and the skirt is hawt. Very nice.
Well, if you *really* want a tutorial of the most half-assed, unprofessional method out there ;)…
Thanks!
Your fluttery sleeves look fabulous. I always feel kind of awkward wearing them, maybe I just need to get over it already.
LOL @ your husband. Mine is the same way.
They are pretty girly. They’re also probably not the best style for the broad-shouldered (like me), but I like them anyway. 🙂
To be honest I wouldn’t’ve been surprised if he hadn’t remembered the old dress at all—it’s not really an every-day piece—but the fact that he mistook a top for a dress? Maybe I’m being unkind, though, and he just thought I’d refashioned the old one…
Cute skirt and very flattering.
Thank you! 🙂
Great top! I love the flutter sleeves, now they’re on my sewing list. Spring is here and knit skirts with it 😉 I wear camis with knit skirts, regular tees don’t work as well. Hmm
That does seem to be the style consensus with the knit skirts… I keep hoping for some stroke of genius that will widen the possibilities. 🙂
Wow, beautiful!
I have the same issue finding things to pair with my knit skirts… which is troublesome because I love them so much… tank tops it is, for now…
How fun are those sleeves! I also wanted to tell you that I’d forgotten how much I love that skirt — probably be a hard color for me to pair as well, but what a great shape! So much movement, while still being slim at the waist/jips. I’m hoping to attempt a godet skirt this year, knit or woven.