spring tops

I stumbled across a blog, Made by Rae a while ago. She's a fellow lover of sewing, and has designed some great top patterns, along with other things. (I previously posted about her cute, free Buttercup bag pattern.) Anyway, she's doing a Spring Top Week on her blog, and invited anyone interested to submit entries as well. So, here are my 3 entries. It was great motivation to make something other than a bag, skirt or something for the kids.

This was the first top I made. It's from Simplicity pattern # 7185. I used some blue fabric from IKEA. This is a misses pattern, so I wasn't sure how the sizing would work, and I didn't pre-wash my fabric, mostly because I wanted to start sewing it right away, and didn't want to spend the time waiting... should have taken the time. After sewing it, I wahsed it... it shrunk. It's a little tighter than is super comfortable, and is a little shorter than I wanted, but I really liked the pattern, and think it turned out really cute. The bottom piece of the shirt is cut on the bias - fun visually for the eyes, with the fabric pattern and all, but also feels good, fit wise. So, I need to give this pattern another try.

My second top was New Look pattern # 6179. I used some white fabric that I had had laying around for a long time. It may actually be what I bought for this pattern? Who knows. Anyway, it was an easy pattern. I did lengthen the sleeves slightly, I was worried that with the elastic in the bottom it might pull up too high. The neck seems a little wide, so I'll probably alter it on my next one... but it's really comfy, and was quick to sew up.

And my third top - Kwik Sew 3222 with a flour collar. I had seen this cute pattern on Rae's site, with the collar tutorial link. Her's was so cute, I just had to give it a try. Okay, the pattern seems to run really large, or maybe I've just lost tons of weight... yeah, we'll go with that. I ended up taking a lot in on the sides, and still wasn't completely happy with the way it turned out. The sleeves were supposed to be small little capped ones, which worried me, so I added to them, and they're not so great. Too tight, when I lift my arms. Luckily this fabric was really in-expensive, which is why I bought it. The collar was fun, I want to try it again... I didn't plan well enough while cutting out the shirt, so I didn't have enough fabric to cut it on the bias like you're supposed too, so I'll do it right next time. Live and learn.

Thanks for the challenge, Rae. More tops in my future!