Friday, July 9, 2010

Inspired: Vivienne Westwood Anglomania via Vogue 8385

As I've discussed before, one of the nice things about sewing is the ability to replace your favorite garments when they wear out or get lost. Even better is being able to copy things you see, and even better than that is when you get instructions on how to do so. Look at this knockoff of Vivienne Westwood's Anglomania "Atlantis Sunday" top by Kristin at Very Prairie, which she describes in tantalizing detail AND provides her alteration to the peplum to get the same look as the designer version! How fun! How can you not make one of your own?

I think that Kristin's version is fun in plaid, but I decided that stripes would be the way for me. Mine is made from silk striped broadcloth from Fashion Fabrics Club, with just enough randomly placed goldfish to add a little whimsy. I made the same peplum alteration that Kristin made, and switched out the 8 buttons for 6 snaps. If you see below, the Anglomania version uses snaps attached with a cross-stitch... I hate making buttonholes, so this worked out pretty well.

























The waist falls at my natural waist, and I didn't need to make any alterations in length. I'm also pretty happy with how the stripes matched up at the sides (at least on the left side... sorry, no pics of the right side but you'll have to take my word for it that I got a pretty close match there as well!)

Here are some detail photos: I used white broadcloth for the back lining. I bought the recommended amount of striped fabric for my fabric width but ran out of fabric because of the peplum change. The lining doesn't show at all, even in the front, so you don't have to worry about using fashion fabric for all the pieces... the pattern instructions call for fashion fabric lining but you could get away without as I have.
Now, I'm not trying to show of my b.ra or cle.avage here, but these photos show how the folds works in the front of the top, and how good the coverage is despite being a wide and low cut U-shaped neckline. Overall, I love this top and look forward to an occasion to wear it!

14 comments:

  1. Ok, that is a really pretty top. It looks as if it were a little tricky to put together, but you did a fantastic job.

    ReplyDelete
  2. That's really pretty - I especially like the goldfish

    ReplyDelete
  3. That's really beautiful! I love the fabric...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Very cool top, I love the two little goldfish swimming across the back!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautiful and unique top! Do you think it could be turned into a dress?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great knockoff! It looks wonderful on you!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I remember when I first saw Kristin's top and thought how cool it was. Now you've gone and done the same thing. I love it. You did a beautiful job on this one and the fit looks great.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great job! It looks like a complicated garment to knock-off. Nice style.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Barbara, I bet you can make the top into a dress...

    Here's Vivienne Westwood's version:
    http://www.farfetch.com/shopping/women/item10043736.aspx

    ReplyDelete
  10. Interesting lines on this top. Westwood always surprises.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh my... gorgeous top! Not a look a could pull off, but you look fantastic in that top!

    ReplyDelete
  12. You've got style chica! Thanks for inspiring me to continue sewing & blogging!

    ReplyDelete
  13. That's amazing! I love all the folds. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  14. very nice tops! Especially cuts are looking amazing at bottom!

    ReplyDelete