Cotton is a great fabric to start sewing with! It's one of the easiest fabrics to sew and care for. It's also easy to find in beautiful colors and patterns! I picked up this plaid fabric last summer at a garage sale. You'll need a yard to 1.5 yards of fabric to start with.
How to measure and cut:
Width- Take half of your hip measurement (measure around the fullest part of your hips and then divide by two) then add 5-8 inches.
Length- Measure from the top of the shoulder to the desired hem length (choose if you want it to be a cropped top, a long top or a dress) and add 1.5 inches. Use these measurements to cut two pieces.
Straps- Cut 2 rectangles 45x2.5in. Fold right sides together (lengthwise) and stitch a tube closed on one end only. Then, flip the tube, press flat and tuck the open end in. Press and stitch tube closed.
To make: 1. With right sides together, stitch both side seams starting 7-11 inches down from the top. This creates the side seam and the armhole opening at the same time. Once finished, press the seam open and topstitch the seam allowance of the armhole (see photo below). To do this, start from the top of the left panel, stitch down to where the closed seam begins, lift the foot and turn the corner to make a right angle. Stitch across to the right panel and once you have reached an equal distance from the center of the seam, lift the foot and turn the corner again to stitch up the front panel. Repeat on other side.
2. Choose and stitch which hemline you prefer. We chose a double folded 3/8" seam.
3. To create the casing at the neckline, stitch or press 1/4" seam down so the raw edges are finished once turned again. Once this fold is made, fold over again leaving enough room for your straps to be pulled through (we did a 1/2" seam). Stitch down on both front and back panels creating two casings.
Feed your straps through the neckline casing and tie on sides! ♥
This is a great practice piece! This pattern can easily become a dress too. Try this pattern with different fabrics, you might even want to add pockets and hand stitched details!
TIPS FOR SEWING COTTON:
-Choose a light weight to medium weight cotton, don't start too heavy because heavy fabric is harder for the machine to handle.
-Start with solid colors, patterns can be tricky to match and seam together.
-Learn to straighten the grain of your fabric. (
resource)
-Always pre-wash cotton because it will shrink.
-Start with patterns like tent dresses, tote bags and skirts!
-Work up to patterns with sleeves and collars.
-Cotton is great for beginner sewers, so have fun!
Have fun sewing your first top or dress! xo. Elsie
This sewing basics series was created in collaboration with Missy Creed of Momentum Fashion. Missy is a talented seamstress who sews for Red Velvet!
That fabric is an awesome find - really makes the top!
Posted by: Elizabeth | January 17, 2012 at 08:04 AM
Gorgeous top! :-) And I am so amazed on how easy this project is. :-) Hopefully when I work on it, I won't have a difficult time. haha. :-) Thanks for sharing
xoxo
Ida
http://asplashofida.blogspot.com
Posted by: Ida May Bueno | January 17, 2012 at 08:13 AM
It's 19 degrees right now, so I'd definitely need a sweater! :-) This is adorable--I definitely need to try making one.
Posted by: Lauren Hairston Collado | January 17, 2012 at 08:24 AM
I am so happy you are doing this! Sewing is something i want to tackle... but it just seems too intimidating. You are really great at breaking things down in an nice and simple way. Thank you so much! What a great series :)
Posted by: Stefanie-Anne | January 17, 2012 at 08:46 AM
love this top! so pretty, and perfect for summer!
Posted by: Laurie | January 17, 2012 at 09:16 AM
I just have to say...I LOVE your blog! (just recently found it) Sooo much inspiration and funny things!!!
Keep up the good work:)
/Pia
Posted by: Pia | January 17, 2012 at 10:29 AM
this is seriously cute! i think i will give it a try. i cant say i love sewing, but this seems easy enough. we'll see ;D
i just made a calico bird baby bag for my friend, come check it out on my blog if you get a chance. it was my first attempt at applique.
cheers,
anne
Posted by: anne | January 17, 2012 at 10:35 AM
The fabric totally makes the shirt! LOVE it!
Posted by: amy | January 17, 2012 at 10:37 AM
So cute! I can't wait to use up my fabric stash for spring!
Posted by: Jamie | January 17, 2012 at 10:42 AM
I really am loving this!! Maybe I'll have to take a sewing 101 class!!
Posted by: aislin @ srcibbles by a. | January 17, 2012 at 11:23 AM
I love this top! The colors are great :)Thanks for the idea!
http://ericaliveloverandom.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Erica | January 17, 2012 at 11:50 AM
What an adorable top!
A jewelry blog.
http://www.houseofavandan.blogspot.com
Posted by: Vanita | January 17, 2012 at 11:56 AM
How nice
and simple,
i must try!
http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/01/sew-a-simple-cotton-top.html
Posted by: itziar | January 17, 2012 at 12:20 PM
Yay! Something I can do! And so cute!
Posted by: Ihilani | January 17, 2012 at 12:35 PM
Thank you so much for sharing this! It looks like a great beginner project for me! I'd love to make a dress along this idea that I could wear with a belt. I'm looking forward to going fabric shopping!
Posted by: Liz | January 17, 2012 at 12:44 PM
So great! Can't wait to try, thanks for the inspiration.
~Shanti
Posted by: Shanti Kling | January 17, 2012 at 01:43 PM
=D so cute! I've been wanting to try something like this for soo long, this would be a perfect beginner project - thankyou so much for sharing =) xx
Posted by: Chloe | January 17, 2012 at 01:49 PM
Cute for an adult or even a little girl! How simple!
http://ahopelessnotebook.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Heather | January 17, 2012 at 02:00 PM
This is so simple and beautiful!
Posted by: Trou | January 17, 2012 at 02:36 PM
Such a cute top!
Posted by: Kristine Rhome | January 17, 2012 at 03:16 PM