I bought skinny jeans and a cute cardigan the other day. I was excited to wear the jeans with my boots, but didn’t think I had a shirt to wear under the cardigan (doing laundry would probably help me know what clothes I have, wouldn’t it?), so I spent a little over an hour making this shirt:
The fabric I used is a soft sage green nylon from the stash my MIL found for me at a thrift store. I used my standard go to pattern for making a sleeveless top, but narrowed the pattern by about 2 inches in the middle since I didn’t plan on gathering the neckline at all. I’m not sure what I did with the pattern piece for the front of the shirt, so the back and the front match exactly at the neckline. After cutting the front and back pieces, I cut a bunch of 1 inch wide strips of the same material. Then, starting at the hem, I sewed the strips to the front of the shirt. I sewed 1/8” from the top edge of the strip (I didn’t want them folding over on themselves like would happen had I sewn down the middle).
I continued up the whole shirt, overlapping each strip enough to cover the stitching on the previous strip.
Then I trimmed off the excess on each side and sewed the front and back of the shirt together, right sides together, at the top of the shoulders and sides. I then trimmed the neckline and arm holes with more the 1” strips by folding them over the raw edge and sewing around. I left the hem raw.
And then it was finished! Sewing the strips on was very time consuming, but all in all this was one of the most simple shirts I have made.

(Like the diapers strewn all over the place in the background of the picture? That’s what Jace had fun doing while I finished sewing the shirt. Also note the little hand having oh-so-much-fun hitting the doorstop.)
I’m really happy with how the top turned out, and LOVE the way it looks with my new jeans, cardigan and boots (which you can’t see very well in the picture…I really should get a full length mirror). I felt so stylish wearing it.

-Jeans: Vigoss (bought at Maurices—Clearance!)
-Boots: Maurices
-Shirt: Made by me!
-Camisole: Maurices
-Cardigan: Target
-Necklace: Maurices
-Bracelet: made by my friend Natalie
(And if you hadn’t guessed yet, Maurices is my favorite store.)
And then Mr. Jace decided Mommy had taken enough pictures and it was time to be picked up.
I’ll be linking up with some great parties (their buttons are in my left side bar) including Real Momma, Real Style. Be sure and check them out!
Thanks for stopping by!
What a great job you did . This looks like something right out of Neiman Marcus. Beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteThe shirt is darling! Wouldn't it be nice to have a laundry fairy?
ReplyDeleteGreat outfit! Your new jeans look great on you! That shirt is great too...I really want to start sewing...haven't in years.
ReplyDeleteYour outfit is really cute, love the top! Thanks for sharing so many great ideas!
ReplyDeleteLooks amazing!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you made that top! It's just stunning! I love the color on you too. I've never made a whole shirt, just added junk to them. You are totally inspiring me cause this shirt is just awesome!
ReplyDeleteLove love LOVE this shirt! Such a simple idea, but stunning effect! And glad to see your little one amused himself so well while you were busy!! :)
ReplyDeleteI would love if you came over and linked this project to my weekly Round Tuit party at:
http://jembellish.blogspot.com/
Have a great week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
Love the shirt! I need to make one, I've been looking all over for a shirt with layers on the front, and can't find one I like!
ReplyDeleteI'd love for you to link up to my party Tuesday:
http://itssewforyou.blogspot.com
THanks!
Melissa
I love that you would rather make a whole new shirt than do laundry. That's priceless! I think I'm gonna give this a try. I really like it, and I just got this soft white cotton fabric with little tiny white sheen polkadots. It's so delicate looking.
ReplyDeletewww.luxeboulevard.blogspot.com
I'm following you now. The laundry vs. sewing just did it for me! LOL!
ReplyDeleteThat is really cute! It's a neat idea & it looks really good :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting!
Great job! I love this.... and I want to make it right now! :)
ReplyDeleteVisiting from Mommy Go Round...and staying! CUTE SHIRT! Can't wait to see more of your stuff.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the pretty top and stylish outfit!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! I can't believe you made that shirt. The color is great on you. Maybe one day I'll manage to actually make a shirt! I'm barely learning to knit now :)
ReplyDeleteWow! That is so cute!! It looks so good on you. What a fabulous job! Thank for sharing. Saw you on My backyard Eden. Stop by when you get the chance:
ReplyDeletewww.karismaheartsavannah.blogspot.com
I LOVE this look!! Great job on the shirt! And way to persevere - my boys like to make messes while I'm crafting, too ; )
ReplyDeletecraft-interrupted.blogspot.com
That top is fabulous! Love the cardigan too...
ReplyDeleteSo pretty! I love the girly touch of all those tiers! The whole outfit looks great together. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI'm hosting a Throwback Thursdays Party, and would love it if you swung by and linked up something you made/bought/did from before blogging. I can't wait to see what you bring.
This is so cute! I'm featuring this over at womenwhodoitall.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT! So stinking cute!
ReplyDeleteOh how I wish I knew how to sew! I too LOVE Maurices.
ReplyDeleteI love your shirt and I am linking to it on my blog tomorrow. www.craftybalancing.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! I know it will take a TON of work but I'm totally going to make one myself!!
ReplyDeleteHelen
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