Sunday, July 8, 2012

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)!

29 comments:

  1. i bow down to the creative fashionista known as SPG! this is so gorgeous on you, and the tou-dou is perfect for baby E. she is rocking it just like her mom! ;)

    xox P

    phiphisblog.com

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  2. i love that outfit!! the shirt looks great! and the print is so pretty!

    Jenn
    A Petite Treat

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  3. Gorgeous print!! You did a great job! I love the matching prints for you and baby! :)

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  4. great DIY! soo fun and pretty!

    xx

    Erin @ http://www.trufflesnruffles.com/

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  5. 2 rectangles made it sound deceptively simple. I really don't think that it is. You are very talented and your baby is super stylish.

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  6. How cute with your lil baby's bib :) Matching just like mum :) Really easy DIY Thanks for sharing

    katattack2000.wordpress.com

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  7. Love the print and the pattern and the best part is the little ones bib top!

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  8. I love the way you styled the top! Looks great!

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  9. Love it! The print is just so pretty, and it adds such a nice touch to use a necklace!

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  10. So pretty and feminine! I'm always impressed by clever you are at altering or making clothes.

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  11. Wow great fabric choice..now if I only knew how to sew...:-(

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  12. This looks so great! I love the fabric you chose for it, and how it looks with the white pants!! And how cute is that matching bib?!?
    :)
    Allison

    P.S. I'm having an INTERNATIONAL $75 Shopbop giveaway on my blog, so don't forget to enter! :)
    A's Fashion Files
    $75 Shopbop Giveaway!

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  13. Super cute and nice tutorial. Great way to modify your top! -xx

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  14. What a fabulous tutorial! I just love the colours and print of that top, and it fits you so well! Thanks for sharing!

    <3 Jenny
    www.crazystylelove.com

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  15. What a great tutorial and LOVE the baby version:) So adorable!

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  16. I love that fabric and that you made something for your little one, too!

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  17. hello!!!! I love everything in your blog, please come visit my blog and if you like it let´s follow each other! let me know ok!
    kisses
    www.petitgraphie.blogspot.com

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  18. you truly have a gift with clothes! you are so talented! :D

    <3, Mimi
    http://whatmimiwrites.blogspot.com/
    Want a summer scarf? Enter to win a $20 ScarvesDotNet Gift Certificate!

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  19. Another great DIY. I think I can do this one. Baby E is so cute.

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  20. I love the use of the pattern and the band around your waist as an accent! and how cute is your daughter wearing the "bib"?!

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  21. Wow, you make it look so simple. Am going to try this! Thanks for the tutorial.

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    Replies
    1. Made my own top on Saturday and one more with a friend today. It's awesome! Thank you again. :)

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    2. So cool! I'm glad it worked out well! Thanks for sharing!

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  22. I absolutely love this. For the life of me, though, I cannot figure out the back piece. I understand the pinning and sewing down each side to the front piece, but don't know how you finished the top of the back.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jaime! The front and back are exactly the same. Both are rectangles folded in the same manner with the 2 lines of stitching. Hoping that made sense! If it didn't, please do let me know :)

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  23. I have a question regarding the back piece as well. Is the top part of the back piece ruffled just like the front piece? Or did you cut it to be just a normal back?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Andrea! You are correct - the back piece is ruffled just like the front piece. Both are identical to one another. Hope that helps!

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