Amelia shirt and a thank you!

First off, thanks so much to those of you who have offered advice in my rant about measuring and cutting accurately. It's nice to know that other, more advanced sewists also struggle with that. And to hear all of your tips and tricks! If you missed that post, go read it and the comments especially. There are a lot of ideas about how to make cutting large pieces of fabric easier, from enlisting your husband to help you hold it, to folding, to ripping and to holding that dang ruler down with your knee. I'm excited to try some of those tactics next time I need to cut a large piece. Which might be pretty soon, because after making myself this shirt, I'm itching to try it again!

Crocheted flower clip from Etsy shop Curstay Designs. Thanks Lindsay!

My first completed shirt! Very exciting, don't you think? I got the itch to try making myself a shirt when the blog Made by Rae (another Michigander!) hosted a Spring Top Sewalong. I didn't get myself together in time to enter, but was inspired anyway. A post in conjunction with that blog event on Fashioned by Meg introduced me to several beginner top patterns, and I decided on this one, the Amelia shirt by Frog Legs and Ponytails. I ordered it a couple of weeks ago with my recently purchased purple Joel Dewberry fabric in mind. Then came the first wrench in my plan... The pattern called for a yard and a half of fabric for the body. I had only a yard. D'oh!

I stupidly only bought one yard of these pretty Joel Dewberry fabrics.

I decided to consider it a blessing. Probably smart to try it first on non-designer fabric, right? Although really, this shirt is so simple to make, I don't think it would have been too big of a problem. It's very straight-forward. The hardest thing was turning my tie inside out because I still don't have a tie turner. For all the trouble I had cutting accurately, my band and the main body of the shirt matched up perfectly when it came time to sew them together.

I found this yellow poppy cotton at Jo-Anns, on sale. My friend and I were in a big hurry because she had to pick up her parents at the airport, so I rushed to find a coordinating color for the band. I don't know if I made the best choice, but I wound up with this brown print. Too busy? What do you think?

 I'm happy enough with the top, but for a few things. I think I made it too big. I feel a little shapeless in it, like I'm wearing a pillow case. I made the large because of my bust size, but I think a medium would have been fine. As it is, I might take the sides in a bit. Should be easy, right? Just move the seam in a half inch on each side?

I also don't know what I was thinking picking a shirt that I won't be able to wear a normal bra under. I'm nursing right now. My girls need some support. Strapless bras are a pain. Ug. The good news is that it looks really cute under my favorite white cardigan. And that way I can still wear my supportive bra.

 

I plan on making a few more of these shirts. They are cute for summer and simple. I'm excited to try one on a nicer fabric that might have a little bit more drape to it. And to go for the medium.

What do you think? Worth another wear?

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