Transform, Refashion, Repurpose

It felt so good to clean up my workspace last weekend and to clear a little space to work… SO good that I dove right into a new project, fast & furious, and didn't really think things through or properly prepare… or even measure much or cut straight or sew very well.

That said, it turned out "good enough," and I am CHUFFED with my new top!! (I kept telling myself that both the pattern & the fabric would be very forgiving — this is not a tailored piece of clothing, and the busy print would hide a multitude of sins!)

Here's the story. I ordered a tunic & a dress from Gudrun Sjödén* a while back. I didn't like the dress, so I sent it back in exchange for a pair of pants… that I thought were black linen. Turns out, it was a floral pattern on a black background. I tried them on & they fit okay, but there's no way that I could style those voluminous floral pants in a way that I'd feel comfortable leaving the house (and I prefer knits for PJ/house pants). I loved the print, though, and thought, "I'd wear a top in that print!"

"Voluminous" is a keyword, as are One-Yard Minimalist Top. I don't know if I'd have called them palazzo pants, but the legs were very wide and almost straight. It seemed like a good gamble to try transforming them. As I mentioned the other day, I cut off the legs, matched the side seams and cut straight up the middle on the wider side of each, then squared up for front & back — one leg for the front, the other for the back. The shoulder pieces are rectangles that I cut from the remainder.

The pattern is written to utilize both hand- and machine-sewing; I started to fell seams by hand but my heart wasn't in it & I needed a fix — so I did the entire thing by machine.

Measurements: It's basically a square — 28" wide (56" circumference), and 29" long from shoulder to hem, utilizing the original hem. The side slits are 5", and the armholes are a generous 10".

Modifications: I scooped the front neckline. As written, the front & back are both square — in fact, as written, there's no difference between front & back. I like a square neckline, but it was just a bit high. I think I'd imagined that it would drape a little, sort of like a cowl, but it didn't. So, I cut it to make a scoop about 2" deep and I like it so much better.

I wore it all day yesterday and loved it! Next time? I'd take my time, zigzag the fabric edges right away (if needed), and be more precise in sewing — especially seam allowance — I was all over the place and it was sometimes difficult to do the finishing. If possible, I'd adjust the width of the pieces — make the back just a bit wider than the front and adjust the shoulder pieces to suit. I think the fit/look on the front would be improved with slightly less "bunching" in front, and the "sleeves" would look a little better. Definitely not a deal-breaker, though. The pattern/project is quick & satisfying!

*Boy, I sure do love that Swedish aesthetic — colors, layering & quality of those clothes (Hanna Andersson for the kids) — but this girl, with a great love for "neutral," has to be careful and filter!