Virginia has sewn a fantastic version of the Sintra Halter Top using a knit fabric. We love when stitchers try a pattern using different fabrics. This pattern calls for a woven, but Virginia used a knit, and we love the results! Take it away, Virginia.
Twice a year, I always wait in anticipation for the latest Liesl + Co pattern release, and the spring patterns did not disappoint. As soon as I saw the Sintra Halter, it was love at first sight. The style of the Sintra Halter is very versatile. Depending on fabric choice, it can be a casual top worn with jeans, shorts, or a skirt or a very elegant top or dress worn out to a restaurant or the theatre.
This pattern is drafted for woven fabric, but I had some striped glittery knit fabric that I knew would be perfect for the Sintra halter. I decided to make the top for my daughter, and as she was between sizes, I decided to sew the smaller size as less ease is required with knit fabric.
I sewed the back seam of the halter on my sewing machine with the new Gutermann Maraflex sewing thread, which can be used to sew knit fabrics with a straight stitch. As the seams didn’t need to stretch, I could have sewn it with a normal straight stitch, but I love using this thread at the moment.
The slit opening at the back of the halter is supposed to be double-turned under. Still, as this fabric was tricky to fold, I used the overlocker to neaten the back seams, pressed it open, and stitched it down one side of the slit placement, along the bottom, and up the other side. I sewed the side seams of the top just with the overlocker (serger).
I love the way the arm binding is sewn with this pattern, and it turned out really well on this fabric. I also used the Gutermann stretch thread to sew and topstitch the binding on the armholes and to sew the halter neckline.
Sewing the neckline on the Sintra was a bit trickier as this fabric did not press and hold a fold at all. I followed the instructions carefully, took my time, and I think it turned out well. The Sintra is supposed to have a button and buttonhole at the back of the neck, but I was not sure how a buttonhole would sew on this fabric, so I used a snap fastener to give a nice neat finish.
I love this pattern; the instructions are amazing, as are all Liesl and Co patterns. This Sintra Halter will definitely get a lot of wear in the future, and I can’t wait to sew some up for myself. I have a lovely Tencel fabric that would make a very elegant top to wear to the theatre, and I also have some lovely linen blends and rayons that will look lovely for a nice day at the beach.
The Sintra halter would also look amazing as a long dress with a slit up the side which I aim to make in the future.
Thank you, Liesl, for another amazing pattern.