At the start of spring I started going through all of my warm weather clothing. It was a bummer. Most of the shirts I had were fitted and not long enough for my torso. This was a problem because my mommy tummy isn't bouncing back as fast after child #2 and I just don't feel as comfortable wearing those kinds of shirts. They also just seemed too young for me. Not that I'm old, they just didn't feel right for me any more. So I decided I needed some more clothing. I've done a little thrifting and sewing to help stock up my closet with more options.
Here is a top I made. I used this tutorial and it was just perfect for 1 yard of fabric. I made sure mine was plenty long and had more of a crew neck. I wanted it to by modest and I didn't want to have to wear an undershirt with it. I don't like to be hot so any extra layers in the summer are unwelcome.
*Please forgive the hair in the following pics. I was at the harbor earlier in the morning and the humidity attacked me.*
I also took great care in matching up my side seems. I think this just gives things a more polished look. It takes extra time... and maybe more fabric but for me it was important. It was pretty easy to do with this top though.
I've been loving the chevron shirts and dresses that I've seen on pinterest and a lot of online clothing boutiques so I was really happy to find a great source for chevron prints in a comfy knit fabric.
All in all I'm pretty pleased with myself lately. The last two shirts I've made have really turned out and now I have a few more on trend items in my closet that were eco friendly, hand made, and not putting an extra burden on people in poor working conditions. If these things matter to you too but you don't sew, I'm offering this top in my esty shop.
I've been using re/up-cycled laces for some of my wedding dress creations. Well I had a teensy bit left over and wanted to make something for myself.
I've been having fun with the new feature on pinterest where you can search your own pins and so I typed in lace and searched my pins. So many fun things came up but I was thinking I needed to make a boxy top that I could pair with colorful skinnies and maxi skirts.
I always find inspiration on pinterest... don't we all? I've decided it's time I start making some of that inspiration a reality and making things for myself.
I used Simplicity 2599 for the bodice and just omitted the bust darts. This is a super easy top to make but for this lace version I made it much more difficult. Normally you would have a facing for the neckline, but I just used bias tape for the neckline and to hem the sleeves. I also used french seams everywhere, even where I set in the sleeves. Also I removed the sleeve ease. I love how this top turned out and it was worth the extra work for french seams.
One more thing. I think that the more you sew the more you develop a system for piecing things together. For simple shirts this is my system:
1. Neckline: binding, facing, or hemming. I start here. Sometimes this depends on the pattern. I plan on making some shawl collar sweaters for my boy this winter and I'm sure with those I'll have to sew the shoulders and then do the neckline... but for this top and lots of other projects this is how I do things.
2. Shoulders
3. Set in sleeves. I might hem sleeves before I set them in or after... but I prefer to hem them close to this point... even if it's not how you're supposed to do things it's easier than trying to hem a closed up sleeve on my machine.
4. Side and sleeve seams.
5. Hem the bottom of the shirt.
6. Done! :)
I'm offering this top in my esty shop.
