I told myself I would sew a top and enter the Spring Top Challenge hosted by the wonderful Made by Rae. Well, at 10 o'clock last night, I figured it was now or never because entries were due by today. I wish I hadn't waited until the last minute--when I don't have time to plan out a sewing project, it always ends up so slap-dash. But in the interest of 'keeping it real', here's what I whipped up.
I made all sorts of mistakes. First, I only have cotton in my stash. This particular cotton doesn't really drape so this top could hang tons better. Or, you know, at all, instead of poofing out and adding a solid inch of circumference girth. I didn't have a pattern so I just winged it and went with a simple circle neck--but to make it a little different, I added a few pleats to give it a slight ruffle. I also wanted a tie-neck because my intent is to mostly wear this as a shell under cardis.
So am I entering it? Yes. Even though I'm a little sheepish about doing so--have you seen some of those tops?? Swoon. But I'm doing it because a) it was a goal, and b) I believe part of the spirit of the challenge was to motivate some of us who semi-regularly sew to actually sew for ourselves (I think many crafters craft for others). And you know what? After this, I may indeed have a bit of the "selfish sewing" bug. Also, I think I will wear this top--it's not so home-ec that I'm too embarrassed to, so that's good. But I'm ordering Cal Patch's book asap. And I think a dress form just got bumped to the top of my wish list.
Here it is under a cardigan...I like it styled this way best.
And because I think nothing screams high-fashion like a photo shoot in the bathroom without a stitch of makeup or your hair brushed--but hey, there's better light--I feel compelled to leave you with these. I'm sorry.
Happy sewing and happy Friday!