Hello! I'm Suzannah, a serious DIYer and mom of two little ones. Follow along with my DIY fixer upper house renovations, sewing and crafty projects, real food recipes, and de-stressing goals.
I believe you can love your home just the way it is, AND have the power to design and make big changes to make it better.
It's finally getting to the time of year when I can wear a cute top out to dinner and not freeze! Maybe even a dress. I'm getting excited for summer sewing, and made myself this top to start it off!
Last summer I feel like the off-the-shoulder trend really kicked off, but it's still here and I'm glad, cause this style is really fun to make and wear!! There are quite a few cute patterns out there but last summer I made McCall's M6558 up several times (it's from 2012), and have learned some modifications to make it a little cuter and more current!
This was such a fun project!! It's been ages since I did a sewing tutorial but this tiny bias-cut ruffle neck and armhole edge trim look is new to me this season and I've never seen anything like it as a DIY... so here you go!
So early this season I went to Gap.com and saw in their list of early fall must-haves, among the jeans and sweaters: "5. The Printed Blouse (with a ruffled neckline that's oh-so-pretty." It was a boxy, loose top but indeed the neckline was interesting! I then saw a couple similar ones in other places. See??
The Gap top has elastic at the neckline, while the others have different shapes including yokes. The tiny ruffle detail looks good on a lot of tank shapes! I figured I could give it a shot.
Fabric yardage needed for pattern plus 0.5-1 yards for bias strips
Coordinating color single-fold bias tape
Instructions:
1. Cut out the pattern as desired. I cut the armholes and neck opening a little narrower than the pattern called for since this trim method uses a 1/2" seam allowance on them rather than the 5/8" most patterns call for.
2. Cut 2" wide strips of bias. I cut about 140" and used all but about 20" of it.
3. Sew the bias strips together at the ends and press seams open, creating one very long strip.
4. Press the bias strips in half and pin in place.
5. Run a long stitch and gather the bias strip, using a 3/8" seam allowance.
6. Sew the ruffled bias strip into the arm or neck opening, using a 1/2" seam allowance. At the side seam of the armholes, cut the corner so the bias strip curves and no raw edges are exposed.
7. Open your coordinating single-fold bias tape and sew on top of the inside crease, also leaving a 1/2" seam allowance on the top side. (I didn't have any single-fold so I cut apart some double-fold I had, hence the extra width.)
8. Snip into the main bodice side seam allowance in the curves of the armholes.
9. Top stitch the bias tape trim edge, concealing the seam allowance. (I did this from the outside to make sure everything stayed flat. You could do it from the underside if you're concerned about the seam allowance staying in position and being concealed.)
See the center seam point I was talking about above? The bias strip ends curve down so the raw edges are absorbed.
Ta-da!
This could work on all kinds of top or dress styles! Pin it to save for later!
A little more about the top I made... as I said, I used McCall's M7095 but I modified it a ton. I didn't do the front opening; instead I added the shank button closure at the back. I also really liked the look of the Anthro top with the tiny pleats across the yoke! So I cut my yoke piece extra long and added some 1/4" pleats evenly spaced.
I didn't realize it would have a 70's vibe, but turns out it does!
The pattern is not printed straight on the fabric, which I corrected on the yoke when I made the pleats but I couldn't really correct across the whole bodice. So it looks sort of slanty. Less noticeable on me than on the mannequin, I hope!
Did the bias ruffle trim rather than the neck facing and bias armhole treatment called for
Added four tucks in the front yoke
Did not do the neck opening at the front; instead added a placket and button with bias tape loop
I actually really like this pattern with all those modifications! The bodice is SO loose, I might try cutting it way narrower if I do this again. I recently saw a cute top at Gap Factory made of a plum knit in a similar shape with embroidery on the yoke but they didn't have my size... would be a fun DIY! (Here it is!)
If you aren't up for sewing your own but like this look, shop some of the inspirations here!
It's my birthday tomorrow!! I made myself a new top. I've always had fun picking out my outfit for my birthday or birthday party, and a BRIGHT color or print always seemed most appropriate. I remember one childhood birthday party in the park that involved a full-skirted dress with a white background and bright gumball-colored polka dots of varying sizes (ah, the 90's).
I've made several off-the-shoulder tops and a dress this summer (see them in the gallery here) and I just love the style! It makes even the simplest top interesting and outfit-making.
I seriously messed with the pattern, you guys. It's McCall's M7163 but last time I made that pattern the shirt was SO big I swam in it and ended up taking in the body and sleeves several inches to make it flattering. So this time I made it two sizes smaller than it called for, quite a few inches shorter, and with WAY smaller sleeves (particularly since I knew I would not be adding elastic in the shoulder areas, like the Anthro one).
Seriously, look how much I took out of the sleeves!
I also added some straps and only did the elastic in the front and back panels.
It turned out just like I pictured!!
I also was excited to wear it with my new Express mid-rise "jean leggings" which are not leggings at all but actually the most perfect-fitting normal, substantial jeans! As I shared on my Instagram the other day, I haven't bought jeans in multiple years so this was a big deal for me. I ordered them in a Short so the length was ankle rather than long enough to cuff like most of my jeans, and they're perfect!! They have just the right amount of stretch to fit my strong thighs, too, which is so hard to find in a lot of brands these days.
It's fun to make something SO different than anything else I've ever done before! I got out of my comfort zone of natural fiber neutrals with this bold print for the dress earlier this summer and now it worked well for this, too!
I just love the off-the-shoulder trend!! I've worn this top quite a few times, particularly after shortening it, and it was so fun and easy to make, so I made another! This time out of a lightweight denim and with a very different proportion to the ruffle!
I used McCall's M6558 for the ruffle and super basic loose bodice with armholes, but it's pretty basic and obviously mine doesn't look like any of the options on the pattern! I tweaked it a lot. (See below for details.)
I seriously debated between wearing it with white jeans or cut-offs or black jeans. I went with black to be more sleek ;) but it would work so well with either!
If you're inspired... pin from this post to save for later!
Extended the bodice of view A rather than giving it an elastic waist and skirt
Made the ruffle 2/3 as long
Cut the armholes a little higher since I knew from wearing this top that sometimes I want to pull the ruffle down a little lower than the armholes will allow without some bra showage!
And if you don't feel like sewing... now is a great time of year to buy fun, lightweight tops! Here are some similar ones at great prices!
I've made two fabulous black and white checkered dresses this summer (this ruffled one and this fitted one) and I love them both SO much! They are both on my all-time fave DIYs list! I had some extra fabric from the larger buffalo check one, and have also been loving loose, simple tops this summer... so I made very efficient use of it and whipped up this top!
I wanted it to be a little shorter than the one I made last year, and slimmer fitting. I also thought a contrasting tie (rather than self-fabric as the pattern calls for) would be cuter with this bold check!
It was so fun to wear with white jeans and my fave comfy espadrilles!
I love it as a summer look, and I think I may need to buy some more gingham (maybe a different color?) for some fall pieces in the next couple months! Until then I will be rocking my white jeans and summery pieces as long as I can!
