I’m SUPER excited to share this project today as I’ve been slowly working toward stretching my sewing skills! This past week was school vacation here in Maine so I had time to spend on some craft projects. While browsing Pinterest, I found a sewing pattern for a women’s top from Made by Rae that I thought looked really cute and didn’t seem to be above my abilities. It’s called the ‘Josephine‘ and here’s how it turned out…
I’d consider myself to be in the ‘advanced beginner’ category in terms of my sewing abilities, steadily working into the solid ‘intermediate’ category. This pattern required me to really work on many skills including pleats, darts, gathering fabric (on both the top and bottom of the sleeves), adding an elastic casing, and creating my own bias tape. Some of these skills I had done before but needed to practice and others I’ve never done until now! From start to finish, including printing out and assembling the pattern, it took me the better part of 10 hours. Naturally, the first time always takes longer because you have to spend time figuring things out!
What I really like about this particular pattern is that there are several options that allow for a great fit! At only 5′ tall, I have a ‘petite’ but curvy body shape…this means I usually need a size ‘small’ in tops but my ‘ladies’ and my hips are on the larger size so I need some room in these two areas! This pattern works for sizes XS-XXL but also has an A/B cup bodice option and a C/D cup bodice option for the top. This allowed for the perfect fit because I have a larger bust on a smaller frame!
The back has an option for an elastic band to further allow for a better fit. This cinches in the waist so the top is a bit more fitted. I also ended up shortening the sleeves and taking up the bottom hem because, again, I’m a ‘shorty’ so the shirt and sleeves would’ve have been way too long if I didn’t! That’s another great part of sewing your own clothes…you can customize the fit!
I’m linking up with…
That top is really impressive! I just bought my first sewing machine last summer and would consider myself in the "novice beginner" category. But I can make curtains! Thanks for the link to Made By Rae, looks like a good source for sewing inspiration.
I'm still using my very first sewing machine which I bought ten years ago! It's totally a 'no frills' machine and is pretty basic but does the job! Curtains are a great way to start! Good luck with your next project!
What a cute top! Well done you.
Thanks, Claire! 🙂
Nicely done! You will find that with regular practice you will gain more confidence. This is a terrific look for a teacher.
Thanks, Tammy!
Um, you made that?! Incredible. Seriously, I am so impressed. I am a "beginner beginner" so this shirt is way above my abilities. You are definitely inspiring me to improve my skills!
Thanks, Ashley! As long as I have my handy seam-ripper, I'm usually game for trying new sewing projects!
Your little square on WIWW caught my eye today so I popped over from Lindsey's link up. You are beautiful! Love that top, too. Yellow is a great color on you.
Thanks Kristin! Love WIWW! 🙂
such a pretty shirt, the color and fit! ladylike and classic.
Marie
In Our Happy Place
Thanks, Marie!
Oh how CUTE!!! I am also a shortie with bigger "girls" so making my own top would be wonderful. Not sure I'm up to this more advanced sewing project but cute clothes inspire me…so…I'm going to give it a try! Thanks for sharing and it's such a cute top on you! Love the dark denim and gold accessories too!
Good luck with your project, Amy!!