Chevron Swing top - sewing tutorial

I love a layered look. You can layer color, pattern and texture in 1 outfit. I created this easy, fun top using a couple of squares, no finished edges (that's why I love knit!) and few stitches! And this pattern is so simple it could be made in any size or length!

supplies:

1 yard of knit/poly fabric

scissors

measuring tape

straight pins

Seam ripper (optional)

sewing machine

coordinating thread

chevron stencil/template pattern to trace (my chevron was 2 - 2.5" wide)

Step 1: Lay your fabric flat and cut a 27x27" inch square on the fold. Cut down the fold to create two 27x27" squares.

Step 2:  Cut a strip 2" x 58" long. This will be threaded through the neckline. Place right sides together lengthwise. Sew along the top creating a tube. Turn right side out and tie a simple knot in each end.

 

Step 3: Add interest to the front by adding a pattern and texture. Using a chevron template as a pattern, cut a couple of long strips using the same knit fabric OR cut strips from an accent color fabric.

Step 4: Measure out a 15x15" triangle. This will be folded over the back so do not place anything in this space.

Place and pin 1 chevron strip onto 1 of the 27x27" squares in a design that you like. Be sure to "tilt" the square or turn it to a diamond shape while placing and pinning the strips. Add the chevron strips just at the top, over the entire top, just around the edges, etc.  

Step 5: Sew 4 lines on each Chevron strip. 1 along the top, 1 along the bottom and 2 in the middle trying to keep equal spacing between the lines. Repeat on all the strips.

Step 6: Using a seam ripper or your sewing scissors, carefully clip in between the top 2 lines and the bottom 2 lines. ONLY cut through the top layer of each strip. This will create fun lines and texture on the top.

Step 7: Turn the main piece over and fold down the top corner creating a Triangle with sides that measure 15". Sew a 1" casing along the top. Repeat on the back square piece as well. Clip away the excess fabric.

Step 8: Take the finished strip from step 2 and thread it through the casing of both the front and back pieces.

Step 9: Lay the front and back piece flat with right sides together. Measure in from the corner on each side to sew the 2 pieces together. (I have a smaller frame so I measured in about 6" on the top and 10" on the bottom. Then drew a connecting line between those points and that is where I sewed the 2 pieces together) Trim the excess fabric.

Step 10: Turn right side out and slip on. Adjust the gathers to be the width you like and tie over 1 shoulder. Light and breezy summer top with texture that can still be layered upon if Spring hasn't quite hit in your area yet like it hasn't in mine ;)

I will be linking up HERE this week! 

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More SOS Ideas starting monday with a giveaway next week as well! see you then! 

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Corporate ZIP!....spring top challenge #4

From corporate drab to FAB! 

I combined ruffles and the edge-y trendy look of zippers to create this refashion upcycling Spring top!

It's my 4th entry into the Made by Rae Spring Top Challenge. I created all my tops by refashioning or up-cycling existing tops (top #1, top #2, top #3).

Here is the BEFORE.....

And a close up the details AFTER -
Zipper ruffle detailing down the front....

Zipper lined collar....

The shirred bodice adds texture and femininity.... (love the look!)

go feminine or feminist....go corporate or go to lunch! This top can do it all! 

Want to make one? :)

Here is the full tutorial or download it as well! 

add your photo to the Brassy Apple Flickr group if you give this a try! 

Materials:

Mens dress shirt (1-2 times larger. We used a short sleeved shirt)

Zipper - color coordinating - 60 inches

straight pins

elastic thread

2 buttons - optional

measuring tape

Step 1: Remove front pockets if desired. Rub the fabric and the holes where the thread was should disappear.

Step 2: Determine how tall you want the shirred area to be and how much you want left unshirred around the bottom hem. I measured 3" up from the side hem to the 3rd button from the bottom.

Step 3: Mark and pin the button area closed from the top of the shirring mark all the way down the bottom hemline. Cut off/remove the buttons in the shirring area and sew closed following the stitching lines on each side of the buttons.

Step 4: Take one end of the zipper cutting off hardware if necessary and separate the 2 sides from each other. To keep the ends from fraying, melt the fabric lightly with a match or flame.

Step 5: Place one end under the inside corner of the collar and pin. Line the entire collar with the zipper (about 24.5" on our collar).

Corners - make a small fold at each corner for a smooth transition around the collar. Sew and stitch the zipper in place along the collar.

Step 6: Zipper ruffles. Measure from the top of the shirring line to the top of the shirt (12" on our shirt). Add 4-8" to the measurement you get and cut 4 strips of zippers for the ruffles.

Use a basting stitch on the fabric edge of the zipper and pull the bottom thread to gather each strip.

Step 7: Place 1 strand of the ruffled zipper about 1/2" from the center buttons. Pin down the front to the top shirring mark. Sew in place.

Step 8: Place the 2nd strand against the center, overlapping slightly over the 1st strand as pictured below. Pin and sew into place.
Repeat on the opposite side.

Step 9: Shir the bottom half of the top starting at the top mark and finishing at the bottom mark. Space the shirring lines 1/4" - 1/2" apart.

Step 10: Sleeves - Fold each sleeve so it has to a 2" cuff.

Step 11: Pin the top and bottom of the sleeve and sew a straight stitch on the top and bottom to keep the cuff folded.
OPTIONAL: Shir 2-3 lines on the top part of the sleeve to create a gathered look.

Step 12: Adding a zipper loop - Cut 2 10" strips of zippers. Place one end of the zipper about 1" under the top of the cuff. Pin in place.

Step 13: Fold the zipper onto the front/top of the cuff and pin.

Step 14: Create a loop with a 1" tail. Fold the tail under and pin.
Pin the top of the loop to the shoulder. Sew the top of the loop and the bottom into place securing the zipper in place. Repeat on the opposite sleeve.

Step 15: Add a button (large, small, different color, etc) to the middle of the loop for added design interest. 

and you are done! 

linking up with these parties - Life as Lori, Someday Crafts, Beyond the Picket Fence, Somewhat Simple, The Shabby Chic Cottage, Everything Etsy, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Tatertots and Jello

thanks to HowDoesShe.com for featuring all my TOPS! You can see their write up and interview with me here! 

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Ruffle me up!......tshirt refashion Spring Top challenge #3

I hope you are digging out all those unused tshirts in the back of your closet and refashioning them into wearable tops! As promised, here is our 3rd entry and tutorial! (take a peek at the 1st and 2nd)

Ruffle me up! 

Ruffles are everywhere from tops to shoes, handbags and accessories! And they are super easy to add to any top especially when made from tshirt knit because you don't have to worry about the edges! 

If you refashion a tshirt add your photo to our Flickr Group! 


Download and print the entire tutorial HERE

Materials:

2 tshirts - about 2 or 3 times bigger than you normally wear

color coordinating thread

scissors

elastic thread

sewing machine

straight pins

measuring tape

Step 1: Shir the bottom of the tee sewing about 6 lines 1/4" apart. We used our sewing foot as a guide between the stitching lines. 

Step 2: Cut off the collar. OPTIONAL: Cut a small V dip in the neckline if desired for a different neck shape.  Set aside.

Step 3: Lay the 2nd tshirt flat. Cut off the bottom hemline. Then cut 2 strips that are 3.5" wide. 

Step 4: Create 1 long strip by cutting "open" at one of the seams or simply cut the loop in half.

Step 5: Cut 1 strip 2.5" wide. Cut open as instructed above.

Step 6: Gather/Ruffle all 3 strips using a basting stitch in y our machine and gently pulling the bottom thread to gather the fabric together. (Stitch 1/4 - 1/2" in from one edge of the fabric strip)

Step 7: Pin one end of the 3.5" ruffled striped at the shoulder seam and the other end about 5-6" from the top of the shirring lines at the bottom of the tshirt lining it up in the middle.

Step 8: Adjust the gathers so the strip fits between the two pinned areas. Pin in place leaving an opening near the middle of the neckline in the front. Repeat with the other 3.5" wide ruffled strip on the opposite side of the tshirt.

Step 9: Sew the ruffles to the tshirt by stitching over the basting line. 

Step 10: Fill in the open area in the top middle of the tshirt using the 2.5" wide ruffled strip. Place one end of this strip about 1 inch over the empty area. Pin along the neckline and cut the ruffled strip to be about 1 inch over the other side. Pin in place. 

Step 11: Place a second layer of ruffles under this layer making it smaller in width and centering it under the first. (see 2 photos below) Stitch both layers of ruffles onto the tshirt. 

OPTIONAL: to create a ruffle at the neckline and shoulder area that isn't as "full", cut and or taper the ruffled fabric towards the shoulder seam until you have reached the desired look.

Step 12: Cut off the hem on each sleeve curving the edge as pictured below.

Step 13: Shir 3 lines from the cut edge to the shoulder seam. Sew 2 shirring lines on the underpart of the sleeve too.

Add rosettes, beads, etc if desired! 

I love how this top can be casual but dressy if needed too! Be comfortable this Spring and Summer by wearing a "tshirt" but look a bit more pulled together and stylish! 

linking up with.....Keeping it simple, Making the World Cuter, Skip to My Lou, The Girl Creative, 11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven, A soft place to land, New Nostalgia, Tip Junkie, Silly Little Sparrow, Todays Creative Blog, Craft Edition

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