Monday, May 9, 2011

Shirring with elastic thread -- a new top for me

I recently found a bright and beautiful border print cotton at our local fabric shop. I immediately thought sundress, but changed my mind when examining all the plain white above the print. Ah, but a cute top, that would work!

Sorry, more dubious night-time self portraits!

Here's a slightly better look.
This top is basic, basic, basic. Essentially one big rectangle for the body and two narrow rectangles for the straps. I used elastic thread to create shirring for shape, and kept everything else simple to let the print shine. Even the hem is unfinished, since I think the frayed selvage suits the bohemian feel of the top. I originally did turn up the hem, but it looked better before I did that, so out came those stitches.

I added this top to:

16 comments:

  1. Really beautiful fabric and the fit is flattering.

    Dubious night time self portraits? I hope that doesn't show up in a weirdo's search engine :) LOL

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  2. Love your shirt! My daughter used to have a lot of dresses made like this when she was little and I loved them. I never knew the sewing pattern was called shirring! Thanks for sharing!

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  3. that is fab! i love the color! so bright and springy... you look great!

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  4. perfect! Will you make me one? I am the WORST dresser:(

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  5. You did a great job! Gosh, it looks store bought. Did you use a pattern or just wing it? You really have me wanting to make clothes :)

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  6. ADORABLE! The shirring makes the pattern on top look so much sharper. This is really cute. There might be one in my future too. Thanks for the little tute!!

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  7. You did a fantastic job!!! The print is amazing, that shade of blue is wonderful!!! I wish I could sew clothes, I've never made the attempt!! I'm so scared of elastic fabric!!
    Hope you have a great day!!xo Eleni
    ps. Thank you for coming over to my blog and leaving me such a lovely comment:)

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  8. The top came out lovely and looks great on you.

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  9. Thanks everyone. No, no pattern. I just wrapped the fabric around myself to determine the length I needed, marked a line at the bottom of my bust to start shirring and kept going until it covered my chest. Then trimmed the top and added the straps, which are just narrow tubes.

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  10. Great Job!!! one of my sewing goals is to actually attempt this elastic thread. It is so coincidental that I read your project today, because I just came back from my singer shop with some elastic thread. I have always wondered how to use border prints, this is perfect.

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  11. It's adorable! That takes me back to being a kid - remember those sundresses?! I love the fabric you chose. Great job!

    Roeshel

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  12. Great fabric. You did a really nice job, Tanya. I think you're right about the hem... it looks great!

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  13. That is super cute!! I love how it looks on you!

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  14. That is fabulous Tanya! I love it! Beautiful fabric and a perfect creation! Angie xo

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  15. What a fun and easy creation and you don't have to just find their funny looking shirred fabrics. I haven't done the shirring in years and almost forgot about it. What a gorgeous fabric too, you look so fun and summery in it!

    So glad you tried the mug cake. I love how quick it is and yummy and warm and we share it too, just perfect, then you aren't eating it for breakfast lunch and dinner the next day!

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  16. I have tried winging it before and the results were less then desirable, lol. You have a true talent!

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