Skirt As Top TOP

 This cute scoop neck top by Skirt as Top has been popping up here and there and since the pattern is FREE, I thought I'd give it a try.

Though I do really like the style, I was worried it would be a bit big on me.  I'm a pretty small person and big and flowy doesn't really flatter my lack of curves (if you know what I mean).  So I grabbed a shirt with a similar cut and brought the side seam in a bit.  I ended up taking it in even more after finishing.

The style is great, really easy to make and to wear.  I would definitely recommend this pattern as a great way to dive into the world of knits.  For me, it helped me tackle my ever growing pile seen here. 

 

And, while you're thinking of shirts, don't forget that you need a skirt to go with that shirt!  Crafterhours has launched Skirt Week 2013. 

Are you entering?  Look here for some inspiration.  Maybe I'll make another Simplicity 2226 and play along.

Think Spring.....TOPS!

Though it doesn't feel much like it around here (W. Massachusetts), it's Spring Top time!  I made 2 new shirts for myself last week, kind of itching for it to be warm. 

Total side not, you can choose to ignore if you want....one of my New Year's resolutions, even though I don't do New Year's resolutions, is to not crop my face out of all my pictures.  It's silly, but I always crop my face out.  Why?  There a million reasons probably going back to my childhood (just kidding), but it's time to just grow up and put it out there.  Ok, back to things that really matter, spring tops!

This shirt was a nod to one of last year's shirts with the shirring.  This time I decided to try it out at the sleeve end rather than at the shoulder.  I like it!

This next top I made with this this fun bird fabric.  I got both fabrics from Girl Charlee.

For this top, I did a cuff on the end.  I wish I had made the sleeves either longer or shorter.  It's not really a 3/4 length and ends up feeling a bit awkward.  I do still love it and have already worn it a few times.  

You can't really tell from the pictures, but both shirts also have a bit of a scoop neck in the back too.  I traced the pattern from a shirt I own that I've had for many many years.  Had to add some length to it.  Is it just me or do shirts get shorter and shorter over time?  I know I'm not getting longer....

Will definitely be making more Spring Tops, so check back soon. 

Don't forget to enter the Girls Night Out clutch GIVEAWAY over at Jane of all Trades. 

Just for Fun Top

So, do you think anybody will notice if I wear ruched-sleeve tops all Spring?

I couldn't help myself, I made another Spring top...just for fun.  

This time I did a boatneck and longer sleeves, and I love it. 

Spring Top Flop

 I started working on another Spring Top a week or so ago, and it ended up as more of a spring flop.  It doesn't look so bad on the hanger, but there are some definite construction problems.

 You can see the little oopsie where the sleeve meets the armhole.  I do really like the contrasting thread on the sleeve ruffle hems. But, the sleeves are just a bit TOO puffy.  I feel a little like I'm wearing shoulder pads.

   This is what I was going for.  

 

image source 

Maybe I'll try again....or maybe just move on to something else.

 Here's to more successful projects in the future!

 

Easter Cookies and the News...

 Growing up, one of my closest friends would invite me over to celebrate Easter with her very large, very Italian family. I decided to try to recreate the delicious Easter cookies I looked forward to enjoying at her house ever year.

 I used this recipe and made mine with almond extract.  I packed some up to share with friends.  
These cookies are soooo yummy.  Light and almondy, with a sweet icing. 

The perfect Easter treat.

And, if you haven't popped over to Made-By-Rae yet, you haven't heard the news....

my Simple White Pleats top won the Reader's Choice for Week 1!  And only by a small margin, so thank you to all of you who voted!

There will be a whole new batch of tops next week, so be sure to check back.  And keep your eye on all the great submissions in the Flickr pool. 

Happy Easter!

Spring Top #2

 Well, I wasn't planning on entering another top in Rae's Spring Top competition, but this top needed to be made. 

 I drafted the pattern from a H&M top that I have.  I ruched the sleeves by sewing a thin elastic to the seam allowance.  Very easy and really cute!

 The fabric is from The Fabric Fairy and is a really nice cotton/lycra with the perfect amount of stretch for a top. 

 Online, it looked more yellow.  It's a bit more orange in real life, but still really great.
Wishing you a fun and Springy weekend (it's snowing where I am).

Simple Pleats

 My first, and maybe only Spring Top Sewalong Entry. 

I had a lot of fun making this shirt.  If you looked at my Sewalong Inspiration Pinboard, you might have guessed I was thinking about pleats.

 They ended up being easier to do than I thought.  This fabric is so slinky and stretchy, it definitely called for my walking foot this time.  Worked like a charm. 

Despite the possessed look on my face, I am absolutely in love with this top.  Very comfy, flattering and wearable. 

Check out all the other great entries here. 

While I wait.....

The final vote for Rae's Spring Top Sewalong was on Friday and I'm patiently awaiting the results. I would love to win, but I'm also so excited to even have made it to the finals.

In any case, I got some time to sew today and I thought I would channel my anticipation into another project for myself. I'm starting to really enjoy this selfish sewing thing!


I used a this top I bought from Ann Taylor Loft as a guide. This top has a casing around the arms and neck with elastic, I shirred mine instead. Much faster, but a little less control over how much it bunches up. My sleeves ended up a little shorter too.

I really like the result and it's a top that I'll wear. And it's yellow! I love yellow, but don't end up buying much yellow. I had this fabric sitting around, one thing I love about having a large fabric stash.

Another winner in my book!

Spring Top Sewalong 2011

It's that time of year again when Rae hosts her Spring Top contest. Last year, for whatever reason, I felt compelled to sew 5 tops! I don't know what came over me, but I was determined and did end up making the top 60.

This year, it's almost the deadline, and I decided I need to throw my hat in the ring again and make at least one top. So here it is.
I really love the way this top came out. I didn't use a pattern, but gathered up a few tops I own for inspiration. Originally I was going to put some ties on the side...but as it usually goes with me, this kind of evolved as it went along.

I love the rolled flowers, which I've seen a lot of, but never actually tried. Super easy, and no sewing involved! I sat and rolled them while I was watching TV and glued them together this morning. I added a little bead to the middle for some contrast. I decided to put the flowers on a pin, so I could take them off. They get in the way if you want to throw a sweater on...

My favorite part of this top is the back. I shirred it across the back so it would be relatively fitted, but still have a little flare. This style of top works great for me and my little post-children belly that won't seem to go away. I don't do a lot of sewing for myself, but this is one I'll definitely make again. If the stars align, maybe I'll even take some pictures as I put it together next time.

Here's one of the 5 five tops I sewed last year. This one made the top 60, and it was quite an honor to be among such beautiful tops and such talented people! Can't wait to see the finalists this year!