Thursday, January 17, 2013

Topsy Turvy

This tunic is another piece I swiped up at the last second at the October clothes swap. I liked the bright peachy color and the embroidery, but it's really unflattering on me. I've found that I'm too short-waisted to pull off a top like this. I've decided to turn this thing on its head!

Topsy Turvy Top - Before

First, I cut off the top portion in an arc from underarm-to-underarm and between two of the embroidered motifs. This will be my new bottom hemline. I also cut about 9 inches up each side seam from the old bottom hem. These will form my armholes.

Topsy Turvy Top - In Progress

From the top portion I also trimmed off the sleeve edging, which will come into play soon.

Topsy Turvy Top - In Progress

Since this tunic was essentially a big rectangle with elastic in the middle, the sides needing to be taken in a bit. So I pinned straight down from the elastic on each side and took in what used to be directly under the original armholes. Now I won't have weird little wing thingies on my hips.

Topsy Turvy Top - In Progress

Next, I wrapped the former sleeve edging around my freshly-cut arc of a new hemline and sewed right on top of it.

Topsy Turvy Top - In Progress

With the bottom edge complete, I turned my attention to the sleeves. I overlapped the front and back of the top edge and sewed them together in two places, but only about an inch long on each shoulder.

Topsy Turvy Top - In Progress


Finally, I hemmed the raw edges I cut earlier to finish off my flowy sleeve flaps.

Topsy Turvy Top - In Progress

And it's finished!

Topsy Turvy Top - After

Now I just have to wait for it to get warm enough to wear it.

Topsy Turvy Top - AfterTopsy Turvy Top - After



Topsy Turvy Before & After


11 comments:

  1. So cool!!!! Great idea to switch it around.

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  2. This is such a clever idea! I would never have thought of turning the shirt upside down :-)

    http://cobysvintage.blogspot.de/

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  3. Hi Carissa!
    Well done! A lot better!
    Kisses from Portugal!

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  4. Wow, you made that oh so basic style tunic look like something so unique and awesome. I'm sad because I think I just donated a shirt like that ...

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  5. Holy smokes, what a great idea! I see a lot of these tops, and like you I am short-waisted so they're mostly unflattering. I will be hanging onto this tute, for future reference!

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  6. God, I found you on ravelry and you're the best. I love thrifting, and see lots of cute fabric, but my sewing skills are not super, so I'm always nervous to try it. Now I'm inspired!

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  7. Ooh I love how you flip things over and give shirts an entirely new look! I love the color and embroidery!

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    1. Thanks, Heather! The embroidery is what drew me to this top in the first place. I just had to preserve it somehow.

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  8. Wow! Great refashion! I love the color of the shirt. I have lots of shirts like this, so thanks for sharing this idea!

    Navy Wifey Peters @ Submarine Sunday Link Party

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    1. Thank you, NWP! Always happy to inspire others!

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