I finally had the "balls" to write a tutorial so bear with me. I made this retro inspired shirt for my daughters birthday outfit and loved it so much that I had to make one for my 6 year old as well (and soon for my 2 yr old)
The best thing about the top is that it doesn't require anything special. No buttons, zippers, elastic, snaps, etc and with that 50s inspiration, it will get lots of wear in this breezy summer essential.
Ok so this was made to fit a size 5/6 but it is easy to tweak to whatever size you need (even adult)
Materials:
-2/3 yard of fabric
-thread
-binding tape
-measuring tape
-scissors
-iron
The first step is drafting the pattern. I wanted the top to be loose and kind of long so she could get some wear out of it so I made it longer. I just drew a straight line across the top with very vague armhole curving and flared the bottom out in a-line style. Just find any top that fits and use that as your guideline.
I cut out the front and back from the same piece. The front does have a keyhole design so I fold the top in half and cut down about 3 inches.
I then measured across the wide part after armholes, doubled that and added 6 inches. This formula gave me 15+15+6=36 inches. I cut this length and 5 inches wide for the tie to go around the top. I also need 3 ft of bias tape for the keyhole and armholes. I made my own which you can do or buy a coordinating color.
Now begins the sewing. I sewed the sides together placing the outside face to face so that you should see the inside. Sew from where the armhole stops to the hem on both sides. You can finish with a serger or zigzag stitch.
Next we work on the keyhole. You need 7 inches of the bias tape. Pin the bias tape on the outside fabric and see it on.
Then fold the bias tape over to the inside. Then pin the bias tape down and sew where the bias tape is ending.
For the armhole bias tape, I needed about 13 inches for each side. I pinned one side of the bias tape on the OUTSIDE fabric and sewed it on.
Then fold over the bias tape to the inside and see around the armhole.
For the strap, I folded it inside out and in half. Then sew from the sides all the way around leaving an opening of about 3-4 inches in the middle. Flip the strap back right side out. Then you can sew the strap closed or just let it do that when attaching to the top.
 |
This part is optional. I put box pleats in the front and back. One on each side in the front and 2 in the back of the shirt.
Attaching the strap is pretty easy. I find the easiest way is to iron the strap in half and do the same with the back of the shirt. Then line up the middle markings. Pin the strap on the out side of the shirt. Leave a gap of 2-3 inches of the strap between the connection of the front and back. 
See the strap all the way around. Fold the strap up and iron. Then see around the top of the strap to reinsure it stays up. 
The final step is the hem. I folded a quarter inch and ironed. Then ironed an inch up and sew hem. Iron the shirt and cut off all stray threads.
Then enjoy the shirt on a picnic or a breezy walk and load up on pictures.
