Remember my Kate Middleton inspiration board from way back in August? I\’ve jokingly been calling it my \”Kate Capsule\”in my head ever since, and though it\’s been slow going, I have been making progress!
I made those \”couple great dresses\” (my little black dress with a white collar and a navy and cream bow neck dress), my A-line coat is almost complete, and I have a muslin of my navy blazer, although I\’m still wary of all that tailoring (and thus, procrastinating/avoiding it).
One item that I did not include on my list–but is an obvious choice for a Kate Capsule wardrobe–is a Breton or marinière top. At the time, I was searching for a nice heavy, 100% cotton, non-stretch cotton knit in a white or cream with navy stripes. I found it (after omg agessssss) from Miss Matatabi and used most of it to make my Nautical Coco (I so love this dress), but I had just enough to manage a top as well.
I thought about using the Coco pattern again, and I also debated the Liesl & Co Maritime top, but my trial run using that fabric revealed that it has slightly dropped shoulders (which I didn\’t notice on the picture or the line drawings–they are subtle). What I really wanted was my navy and white marinière, which I love and which was manufactured by a company that no longer exists (rip Lands\’ End Canvas), just in white and navy. Picky, picky. 
As part of my quest to learn new things, I decided I\’d just go for it and trace off my favorite navy and white top! I suspect a lot of people come to sewing through this sort of trace your rtw/clone your favorite dress kind of strategy but I have always used patterns. Luckily, it worked out pretty well, and I\’m pleased with the result! It does help that this pattern is basically just a box with arms. I actually think that the fit through the shoulders/back is better using this trace off (compare here). Sorry, Tilly!
My future cloning project is a a pair of beloved Paige denim jeans which has been worn to death. Have any tips for me?
How many breton stripes is too many for one girl? And most importantly, are you team navy and white, or team white and navy?
I really like the fit of this top on you. The shoulders are more flattering on you than the maritime top. Did you draft a neck facing or turn and stitch? Did you make a paper pattern because I really think you could make this several times. Good job with stripe matching. I think the white with blue stripe is more youthful to my eyes than the blue with white stripe.
Congratulations by the way for winning the Vintage Pledge contest:)
I'm slightly obsessed with Kate Middleton so I really LOVE this look and your \”Kate Capsule\” post. I can't wait to see what you do next!
Wandered over here from WeSewRetro – your wedding dress is fabulous, you must be very proud. And yes, I made my dress too, (pre-internet so no pics) it was a 1920's-inspired all over lace dress, with long sleeves, a dropped waist and handkerchief hem, with a silk slip underneath. I loved the dress, and although I happily got rid of the husband years ago – I still have the frock!I agree with Diana above – your self-drafted top fits you so much better around the back neck and shoulders than the Coco – and I too have issues with those massive sticky out bits at the sides – I trimmed the 'wings' off one of mine just this week!
I just turned and stitched! I didn't make a pattern, I just cut around my blue top, but I think I will go back and make a pattern since this one turned out so well! I used the sleeves from the Coco since I wasn't sure how to trace those.
Thanks!
Same here, I love her style!! I'm finishing up an a-line coat (she really can wear a coat so well) at the moment, I'm very excited to share it as I'm totally obsessed with it!!
Oh thank you! You should share your dress over there since you still have it, it sounds gorgeous! And those wings are intense–I love an a-line but Coco is pretty exaggerated I think.
Hi Allie, I've just discovered your lovely blog and think I'll be spending the day reading through all your posts! I know what you mean about the elusive white and navy stripe fabric…why is it so hard to find?!! I have been searching for the perfect fabric for year with no joy – I wonder if Miss Matatabi might still have some of the fabric you used left? Your top is really perfect, a true classic, and the fit is great. I am also a huge fan of Kate – so I'm curious to read about your Kate Capsule wardrobe, sounds like a great idea!Finally – I have just read your post about your absolutely stunning wedding dress. Well done you – you looked gorgeous and the work that went into your beautiful dress was phenomenal! I made a dress for my wedding too, but I chickened out of making my main dress, and instead made a short dress for the evening party. It's on my blog if you fancy having a nosey (there is a button in the side column that links to all my wedding DIYs).OK, major long message, so I'll stop now…but I'll probably be spamming you with comments today as I make my way through your lovely blog! 🙂
Just lovely! Such a great pairing with your jeans, hunters, and your pup! I, too, recently made a similar top. The first knit I ordered was too thin, but the next one I got from Harts Fabric was just perfect! I feel the need to have more!!
Your reception dress is so cute! I love the polkadot tulle. No one realizes how much work goes into a dress when they look that deceptively simple 🙂 I've just followed you on bloglovin'–I'll be excited to follow along.
Puppies go with everything, don't you think? 😉
This top looks and fits great on you. It reminds me of back in the day when I didn't know how to sew, I used to hunt for this kind of top or similar, with either black, navy or red stripes. I remember it used to be hard to find a top like this with quality material, not like those cheap thin one from F21.
I'm still catching up on reading hundreds of blog posts from last month and didn't know this. Congratulations Allie!
I find it so interesting that your top seems to fit exactly like my Andes Mint top does, which was a pattern alteration project itself from New Look that I had to alter extensively to achieve that fit. Also, that is one HAIRY dog! Sweet.
This is so cute!