Changing a Silhouette with Unexpected Armholes
I came across this little drawing in my sketchbook, while I was looking for something else. It’s a drawing of a top I saw on Pinterest ages ago:
The neckline is on one side and the sleeves are in asymmetrical positions. I imagine it’s in knit fabric with ribbing arms and waist. There’s no picture of it being worn but I’d kind of like to try it out. Would it look edgy and sophisticated? Or like I got dressed wrong that morning?
Putting necklines and armholes in unexpected places is one way of changing the silhouette. It can create drape or an unusual garment. I’ve played with this idea before with zero waste patterns.
The boho dress in the Zero Waste Sewing book has the armholes in what’s an extension of the shoulder seams. It creates voluminous sleeves which feel wonderful and swishy to wear.
The side drape top, also in the Zero Waste Sewing book, uses this idea too. One armhole is in the side and the other is along the top.
You can see the pattern is really simple – just two rectangles – but the armhole position makes it look so much more when it’s worn.
Julian Robert’s subtraction cutting pushes this idea even further. It has a lot in common with zero waste pattern cutting in that the pattern is used as the design tool, rather than a traditional sketch. It involves “doing” and seeing what emerges – the actual design is revealed at the end.
Have you ever tried a garment with this idea? Has anyone tried the top from Pinterest? Please leave a comment 🙂
Cheers!
I’ve had that square top pinned for years. Maybe one of these day I’ll get around to it. I did knit a very similar sweater a few years ago. Mine does not have have added sleeves, just an added waistband. Has a really cool drape to it. Maybe I’ll get around to sewing a bamboo jersey version with sleeves one of these days.
I wonder if it’s the kind of top that everyone pins but no-one actually gets around to making?!!
I’ve just found some black and red striped knit in my fabric collection, and some black ribbing, so I’m thinking of trying it out over Easter.
This is actually a knit pattern called the Paris top. I have seen many examples both machine knit and hand knit of this pattern on Ravelry, and have made one myself. Shape looks very odd initially but is quite comfortable to wear
Ah thank you Shan – good to know the name of it. I just had a poke around Ravelry and saw lots of beautiful ones.