I want to give props first:
This top is inspired by Rostitchery's infinity dress, (
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=104089.0)
AKA: the quickie dress that anyone can make
and combined with the Scarf (basic wrap style) from American Apparel (
http://www.americanapparel.net/storefront/movies/6445/ )
I liked the color on this, due to the infinity dress made by
alicelovester . (page 37 of the quickie/infinity thread)
So, basically, it is a 2-piece shirt.
I don't sew. Machines hate me, and I have no natural gift for putting things together. I like to use iron-on fusible webbing (stitch witchery) though! I have to have help usually for any projects I am working on.
This is the first thing I have ever made without a pattern or help!I bought 2 yards (all they had) of this great army green stretchy jersey on Clearance at Wal-Mart, for $2.-
I cut it into 6 pieces, and ironed it together in all the right places. Then, I wrapped and tied it up! The whole process took about 30 minutes, and NO SEWING! Granted, later, I might sew the 'one seam' that Rostitchery uses at the waistband. But, for now, it is CUTE! It is very sturdy, I don't feel like anything will be revealed or slip or anything! It has a funky assymetrical front to it (on purpose).
Without further chatter...
You have TOTAL license to be amused and LOL by my silly faces and obnoxious poses!
Front:
Side hem (so you can see how it is assymetrical when it hangs...
Open Back: (no tube/scarf underneath)
Back WITH the tube/scarf under=no bra, no back showing version!
See, I'm a nerd with sleeves!
Total poser, wrapped over the boobs version.
HERE: is my mini tute! I will try to answer any questions you have later...be kind and understanding, this is the first time I have done one of these:
Funny sketched pics intended to help you:
Okay, take 2 yards of fabric:
----Cut 3 pieces, each 12" wide, from the length (see black lines on the 'fabric rectangle' on the diagram).
----These are your 4 main pieces for the top.
----
a is the 'scarf' like on the american apparel link above. Tie it as it's own shirt, or OVER the other shirt, OR use it as the tube top (boob/bra strap coverer) underneath your top. This is what I did. It makes for a full-coverage back, with a more conservative look. Simply wrap it around your chest, tuck it into your bra, and voila!
---
b is one sleeve,
c is another sleeve. I cut each sleeve piece into 2 pieces, and attached them together, to make a longer tapered wrap.
---
d is the bottom of your shirt. If you have LONG fabric, it can be a skirt... or just the bottom section of your shirt/tunic. For this tute, I will refer to it as the 'skirt'.
OKAY, got it all cut out?
--STEP ONE: fit your skirt to your body. Wrap it around and decide where you want the 'seams' and the fabric to fall. It can sit under your bustline, at your natural waist, or wherever you want. For mine (size 40" or so hips) I used it as is...I started with one end of the fabric (at my natural waist..just above belly button) at my left hip bone, crossed it across my front and around my back. I wrapped it across the front (again), and let the long end hang down (for an assymetrical look). Wherever your piece overlaps in the front, put your tape in between the 2 layers, and iron it together. (see #1 in the photo, where the red is) Fit it on your waist or hips again to check for proper fit.
---STEP TWO: Take both your strap pieces, and lay them on top of each other, crossing each other about 4 inches. (more for a more conservative look or if you have big chi-chi's
, less if you are petitely busted or want to show off your ta-tas.
) Fuse the two straps together, with one 'seam' at the bottom (see #2 in the photo, where the red is)
---STEP THREE: Attach your straps to your 'skirt'. Just line up where you want the center to go, flip them wrongside out, and iron fuse them together, with the wrong ends facing inward towards your belly.
---STEP FOUR: If you don't like the way the scarf part would simply wrap around you, wrap it tightly around you, cut it to fit, and fuse it together to make a tube top. This is OPTIONAL! In fact, this entire piece is optional! If you don't mind going braless and showing your back, you don't need it!
---STEP FIVE: Make your 'straps'/wraps longer. This is hard to describe, but you want to cut the ends of the straps into a tapered end, then take the two pieces and hook them together to make a longer strap. I did mine just over 16" inches in. The best way to describe it, is take your rectangular pieces and turn them into triangles... Look closely at the photo on the 'fabric' rectangle where I drew this line on the strap part...I sure hope this makes sense!
---STEP SIX! You are done! Just tie it all on and you are good to go!
Note: I would handwash this, or at least use a garment bag. If you want to sew over the seams later, go for it!
Ask any questions you have, I will try to answer them !
For the love of the scissors and iron,
Sarah!
If you want some more ideas of how it ties, go to the infinity dress link! Thanks!
