Sewing: Yellow Top

Yellow! Just in time for spring. Let’s get sewing this yellow top – it’ll take less than an hour and add colour to your wardrobe.

This top didn’t turn out 100% the way I wished…so be sure to read the post, unless you really like it the way it is. Turns out, it’s growing on me…but I’ll for sure have to try again (bummer is, I didn’t buy much of this awesome yellow fabric!).

My intent was to create this tight bottom portion and then have a baggier (not too baggy) midsection. The issue – the top I traced is super slim fitting. Next time, I’ll leave more room. Lesson learned.

What you need

• fabric – about 1.5 yards
• scissors
• machine
• matching thread
• top to trace

First – grab your fabric. This yellow is bright and cherry and it was a lot of fun to work with. Prewash your fabric and lay it out (folded). Place the top you’re going to trace over it.

Notice how big the arms are? That’s the plan…next time, I’ll exaggerate that more, also. Cut out an extra piece (about 10 inches by 3 inches) for the collar and a piece that is your waist measurement +1 by about 16-18 inches, depending on how big you want your ‘bottom’ to be (that measurement will be cut in half because you’ll be folding it up).

With right sides together, stitch the shoulder and the sides. Stitch the side of the ‘bottom’ band and the collar.

Almost done! With the body of the shirt right side out, place the ‘bottom’ (right sides out, folded in half) on top of the bottom of the shirt. Do the same with the collar (you will fold it in half, too). Pin. Be sure to pin it all carefully…I even try to match up the seam of the ‘bottom’ band with the side seam of the shirt. Details like this make the piece look more professional. Stitch.

Then – hem the arm holes.

Done – whoo hoo.

Pose with your puppy…Bella is a total fashionista!

Accessorize your new top.

Sew up – and I’ll be sure to share my second attempt at this top. Live and learn, right?

Happy sewing.