Hello, Friends! Yesterday I gave you a little hint what part of today's MMJ Day 20 outfit was going to look like...
Here is the dress before, in action:
(My Dad and I rocking out at a wedding - can you see where I get it from?)
Because I have grand ambitions (bah dum chee), I decided I also wanted to make a top for today based on the Gris Sur Gris top from Modcloth:
Put it together and what have you got? Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo! I cut the skirt portion off the dress, cutting into the bodice about 3 inches in order to have enough fabric for a waistband. I reused the zipper and added a hook and eye for the closure. Boom! A new skirt! I love polka dots.
The top was made using an old Old Navy shirt that had been floating around my closet, as well as some fabulous sheer fabric that magically appeared in my stash.
Here is a close up:
Would you like to make your own? Fabulous!
The supplies you will need:
- An old fitted shirt that needs some love
- scrap fabric measuring approximately 4 1/2 inches wide by 48 inches long.
- a measuring tape
- a sewing machine
- pins
Here is my top and my fabric. It is an Old Navy scoop collar shirt with cap sleeves.
First things first: We want to mark and prep our sheer/scrap fabric that we will be using for the front of the shirt. Since mine was fraying so easily, I used a zig zag stitch on the edges to keep the fabric together. I mentioned above that you would need a piece 4 1/2 inches by 48 inches. I used the 4 1/2 inch measurement as I thought the fabric would still look like an accent and not take over my chest when I was finished with the shirt. I cut from selvage to selvage, leaving me with about 48 inches of length to work with and I nearly used it all.
Once your fabric has been cut and the other edge prepped, you can begin pinning. I pinned my selvage edge underneath so I would have a nice fold against the collar instead of a rough edge. I recommend laying your shirt flat for this pinning process so you are able to check that you are staying in the center of the shirt.
Next, I measured the space across the chest. It measured about 10 inches from sleeve to sleeve, so I pinned 2 3/4 inches in from each side.
Once you've pinned your fabric against your neckline, you can begin marking pleats. I made my first mark 1" down from the neckline (to reduce open space between neckline and first pleat), and made a mark every 1 1/2 inches after that.
Bring the marks together to make pleats. I made my pleats going up, just to be different, but you could pleat in the other direction if you like. I plan on using mine as a crumb catcher. Just kidding! ...maybe.
Once you've reached the bottom, you may have some excess. I had about six inches left over. I cut off the excess, used a zig zag stitch on the end, and folded it under to be stitched in the next step.
Now, onto the machine! I stitched down each side with a straight stitch. In the end, I decided not to stitch down the center because I liked the overall look of leaving it open. If you do decide to stitch straight down the center, measure 2 1/4 inches from each side of your fabric and mark your stitching line lightly.
And voila! You have a brand new shirt!
I'll leave you with this photo of me looking petrified at the lightning striking outside. Before I went out to wait for my bus.
Everything is a-okay! I did not get struck (this time).
I hope you enjoyed my first ever tutorial, and if you decide to try your hand at it, leave me a note in the comments so I can see your awesome version!
Have a fabulous day, all!