Sunday, December 01, 2013

Sunday Sew-Day: Cobalt Blue, Part I

With my black and white wardrobe beefed up, I think it's time to move on to some color! Namely, the beautiful cobalt blue I've been seeing a lot these days. Blue has always been one of my favorite colors. I am so ready to jump on this bandwagon! I picked up this super-sexy polyester blouse a few months back.

Cobalt Tank Top

One cuff was missing a button, and the other cuff was missing entirely.

Cobalt Tank Top

Add to that some pretty rockin' shoulder pads and a zebra-stripe-esque tone-on-tone texture that is as close as I get to wearing animal print.

Cobalt Tank Top

Originally, I had planned on using this to make my peplum project for Refashion Runway, but once I cut into it, I knew the fabric was just not going to work well for what I had in mind. I quickly aborted that plan and went in a different direction, as you know, for that challenge. For this top, I instead chose to go simple, and like the creature of habit I am, I turned it around backwards and made yet another Sorbetto-ish tank top. I snipped out the shoulder pads and chopped off the sleeves.

Cobalt Tank Top

I cut out the collar, leaving a scooped neckline in the back and and keeping the front higher since it'll be my new back.

Cobalt Tank Top

I removed the remaining buttons and added those to my ever-expanding button collection.

Cobalt Tank Top

Then, just as with the black and white top last Sunday, I pinned the two sides of my back together, right sides facing, and sewed just inside the button holes.
Cobalt Tank Top

I pressed the seam outward...

Cobalt Tank Top

...and top-stitched down either side.

Cobalt Tank Top

The original sleeves and armholes were quite spacious, so when I removed the sleeves, my bra was showing pretty badly. The easiest fix was to take in the shoulder seams about an inch.

Cobalt Tank Top

I also added bust darts, of course, coming in from the armholes.

Cobalt Tank Top

I cut one of the sleeves into strips...

Cobalt Tank Top

...which I joined end-to-end as needed to create my binding...

Cobalt Tank Top

...which I then attached to my armholes and neckline.

Cobalt Tank Top

I pressed it outward, folded it over, and sewed around it again to finish it off.

Cobalt Tank Top

And that was that! Sorry for making virtually the same thing over and over again. It's just such a versatile garment. It can be paired with almost anything to completely change the look. The construction is simple, but fabric choices and little details can go a long way.

Cobalt Tank TopCobalt Tank TopCobalt Tank Top

Also puppies. Puppies go a long way too. Especially growth-wise in the span of three weeks.

Pleated Babydoll Dress Refashion - AfterCobalt Tank Top


Cobalt Tank Top

10 comments:

  1. Looks great. Love the fabric.
    Ang

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  2. Nice - I love the colour cobalt. Love it.

    And how in the name of time does an entire cuff fall off a sleeve?!

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    1. Who knows! It's garments like these when I ask myself, "If I don't take it home and turn it into something awesome, what's the chance it will end up in a landfill?"

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  3. Love it, I mean them...shirt and puppy.

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    1. Thanks, Jen, though my puppy's got nothing on yours. I'm not sure she'll even reach 50 lbs, much less break into the triple-digits.

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  4. "The original sleeves and armholes were quite spacious," nice turn of phrase, made me smile. Your writing is stepping up the ante for refashioning bloggers everywhere. Not only are you improving your sewing skills, your writing is getting clearer and more concise.

    I have been reading books on editing and learning how to improve my own writing,which is spilling over into my appreciation of other people's writing.

    Love the cobalt blue on you, and the subtle animal print is a nice nod at a fashion trend without sacrificing personal style. It seems to me that you are developing a definite style. Feminine without being frou-frou, playful without being costumey. Good job,
    regards,
    Theresa

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    1. Thank you, Theresa! My sense of humor is more than a little dry, so sometimes I worry about how I come across in text without inflection, facial expressions, etc. I'm glad to hear it's appreciated!

      I honestly couldn't have described my own style, but I really like how you've said it! Thanks again!

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  5. I love whenever you put the buttons in the back! I never think about doing that! That is such a beautiful blue color!

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    1. Turning blouses around seems to be one of my go-to refashion techniques these days. Sometimes I keep the buttons, sometimes not. But often the back has more uninterrupted fabric to work with, so why not?

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