Is there anything more satisfying than squeezing an item of clothing out of a metre or less of fabric? When the wonderful people at The Craft Cotton team asked if anyone wanted to try some of their new jersey samples I couldn't resist. I have far too much on and it wasn't a lot of fabric to work with but this cherry print was just too good to let go.
I have done a short vlog on how I made it using a top that I already had as a template.
The top is made of just front, back and the ties. You could include the ties in the front panel with a larger piece of fabric but I think I actually prefer it this way anyway, it is much more satisfying using up more of the fabric.
The front and back or sewn together at the sides and shoulders. I used a zig zag stitch on my regular machine. I then over locked all the raw edges. I use a Janome 6234xl which I wouldn't be without.
I pressed a small hem on the arm holes, around the bottom hem and ties and neckline. To sew the hems I used a twin needle. One of my favourite functions on my Janome Memory Craft 6700P, is how easy it is to sew with a twin needle. There is a button you press which just seems to make all the settings perfect, it was something I struggled to perfect on my previous machine. You could finish with a zig zag stitch if you don't have this function.
It really was as simple as that. So, if you have a t-shirt that you love the fit of, I would urge you to get your tracing paper out and see if you can recreate it. Feeling inspired? I would love to hear from you!
