Well, I was feeling a bit left out, so I decided to make some clothes for myself.  I haven’t shopped for me in quite awhile since I’ve gotten a little “fluffy” and don’t really want to buy a size up.  Instead I decided to make some tops from shirts I already own and like the fit, and would probably still wear with less fluffiness.

Basically, I just laid the tops out and drew the pattern pieces onto some fabric my Grandma Josephine gave me circa 1985.  Sorry, Grandma…I just can’t bring myself to make clothes out of them. 😉 I’m sure she bought the fabric for us kids and had intended to make something trendy from it but it just never came to fruition.  At least it is getting used, right??

This top is just one big piece for the front and back, plus a band at the bottom and a cowl neck.  I made the skirt a few years ago.  The top actually looks better on me than it photographed…beyond just my lovely “deer in the headlights” expression. 😉  It is super comfy.  The fabric is that really light, soft knit fabric in a heather brown-gray color with an overlay of brown damask with gold highlights.   I should have taken a close up of it.  Not to worry…I have more fabric.  I think it will be a summer knit top, as well.

 

This top I made from a peasant style top I already owned.  It has the raglan-style sleeve (not a set in sleeve), so it was pretty simple to draw up.  I made the sleeve twice as wide as the original, and a bit longer.  I wanted it more poofy, and I just added shirring at the wrists.  The neckline and waist have elastic in a channel.

The skirt…I had to do a rework on it.  I originally sewed it up, and found I put the seam on the outside for the top part.  Gah!!  I thought I could make it work, did a few more things and tried it on.  Not good.  I took it apart, added the smaller ruffle and made the top a bit smaller with the seam on the inside.  All good.  This has an elastic waist, too, and the fabric has a little stretch.

I didn’t buy these pieces with the intent that they would be a matching outfit, but it worked out pretty well!  I love thise one. I also made the jewelry, too, many, many moons ago.  It matches perfectly. 🙂

 

I need to finish up those swimsuits that I promised to put up in my etsy (I had to buy some more swim elastic) and then maybe a few more tops for me.  I got a black one made that is the same as the blue top above, but with fabric roses along the neckline.  I need to get a picture of it yet…I’ll probably make a skirt to match and then take a picture.  🙂  I also have some plain white and more black to make some basic knit tops for summer.  I really like the Muse Tee in CAbi’s spring line, but I’m not going to spend $70 plus shipping for a white t-shirt.  I am pretty confident I can make a fairly close replica for about $3 worth of fabric. It’s so fun to be able to do that! 🙂