Easy Ruffled Collar Top DIY Tutorial

I saw this scarf print fabric on sale at my local fabric store and scooped it up to make a fun, summery top.  You can make one too by sewing 2 rectangles together - easy, right?

Full tutorial after the jump.

What I Used:

• Necklace
• Fabric

What I Did:

• Measure your chest and halve it.  Add 4 inches to allow space for the gathers at the collar.       (Ex. 36" chest measurement = 18" + 4" for a total of 22" for width)

• Measure from neck down to your hips (or wherever you want the hem to fall).  Add 5".

Cut out 2 rectangles using the measurements from the 1st 2 steps.

Fold 1/4" in on the sides.  Sew 14" from the top of your rectangle down the side.  This gives you finished edges for your collar and armholes.

You can adjust measurements here depending on how large or small you'd like your collar ruffle.  The ones listed above are what I used.

The 2nd line depends on what you'd like to thread your collar with.  I was initially planning on making a large sash for a big bow so used 1.5".  

Do the same thing for both rectangles.

Thread (I used rope.  You can really use anything - ribbon / sash / necklace.) between the 1st and 2nd sewn lines of each rectangle.  

Try it on and gather the neck to your preferred amount of ruffling.

Pin the side right underneath your arm on both sides.  Now sew from this underarm point all the way down to the hem.

Hem your top.

Now thread with your final material.  I used a gold chain link necklace.

You're finished!

How I wore it:

And a matching "tou-dou" (a bib-like undergarment the Chinese used to wear) for Baby E - perfect for these sweltering days in the house when you don't want your baby to be all the way naked (diapered, of course) :)

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend (and keeping cool in this heat wave)!