Yesterday I counted the number of bags I have vs. the number of shirts I have that I actually wear (I have tons I don't wear anymore), and I realized that I have more bags than shirts!
So, I made this easy peasy floral wrap shirt to help correct the problem. Originally, I had envisioned sleeves, but sleeves are HARD, and I gave up after, oh about 3 hours trying to make the sleeves look right.
'tis from my own pattern, and relatively easy to make - the hardest part is the armholes (I hate armholes!)
http://photos14.flickr.com/18401046_65060ae183.jpg?v=0The shirt is a v-neck and wraps in the back. I used a $2.00/yard fabric from wal-mart - and used about a yard.
Haven't worn it in public yet, but plan to on my hot date tomorrow.
TUTORIALbrief sketchy tutorial:
First - I didn't use a stretchy fabric for this shirt - I used a fairly lightweight 100% cotton fabric - which means we have to measure carefully.
We need three pieces to make this - they look like this:
The slant on the two front pieces should go from the shoulder to just underneath your boobs. I found it helpful to cut rectangles out of newspaper, and draw everything, then trace onto fabric later. If you're not using a stretchy fabric, (I didn't), err on the side of making everything larger rather than too small - you can always make it smaller later.
Also, non-stretchy fabric is less forgiving on little mistakes, like measurements being not quite right, so be extra careful with measurements, and make sure all three pieces match.
sew all three pieces of fabric together so that it looks like this when opened up (we'll adjust shoulder stuff later).
Leave a small hole in one of the seams in the just-under-the-boob area. This will allow for the tie to come through. If you want, you may reinforce this hole with a button-hole stitch (what's the technical name for that?)
Attach ribbon, cord, whatever to the corners of the two front pieces like so:
That is what will hold your wrap-shirt closed. One of the ties go through the hole you've already made in the seam of your shirt.
I made my own matching tie from the fabric I had - however, you can use any ribbon or string that you like.
Sew the shoulders together so it fits.
Now all you have to do is hem!
Note!: Curvy girls may want to add darts in the back.
Also, if you can't tell from the picture, I don't have big boobs, so I don't know how well this pattern would work with those who do - it may require a little modification, it may require none. I would love to hear how well this works for the more well-endowed.
So, that's it. It's my first tute, so I wouldn't be surprised if it didnt make sense at all, so if you have questions, please ask!
button to nominate it!
