My regular rummage in the remnants bin this week found a piece of chiffon. It has a floral pattern and isn't too big, but it was so light, and the remnants are priced by weight, so this cost just $1.25. I couldn't believe it. I'm sure it's supposed to be for sheer curtains or something, but I wanted to give it a try to see what it would be like to sew with. It's not only sheer, it's slippery!
I couldn't find the exact fabric I used but these options from our friends at Fashion Fabrics Club might get you something similar.
I taped some plain copier paper together and drew a rectangle. The length top to bottom was the length of my body from the top of shoulder to top of hip bones. The width of the rectangle was half of my bust measurement plus 2 inches. Then I used a large plate to scoop out two ‘armholes', draw lines straight up to the neck and it was done!
Seam allowances were added – a little on each side, and 2 inches at the top to form a casing, and a couple of inches at the bottom hem. It was very rough so I held it up against my body and it seemed to ‘fit' just fine.
Obviously I couldn't just make the blouse out of chiffon for modesty reasons, so I also had some cream stretch satin – also $1.25 from the remnant bin. I cut out the satin according to my pattern. Then I cut out the chiffon just a little larger all around because I didn't want the two to be exactly on top of each other, I wanted a little float in the chiffon.
I sewed up the sides, keeping the edges together on the two fabrics. Then I folded over and hemmed the armhole edges from one side all the way to the other in one seam. I folded over the casing at the top and tucked in the raw edges before sewing an inch and half down to leave an open tube at the top front and back. Then I hemmed the chiffon and the satin separately at the bottom so the chiffon hung loose.
I made a tie from a long tube of the chiffon and neatened the ends. This is threaded through the casing front and back. I adjusted the tube to a suitable length, overlapped and sewed them together, and then wiggled the seam inside the casing at the back. I gathered up the front and back casings where I liked them and then just tacked the edges to the neck tie so that the gathers stayed in place when worn.
And it was done. I made a matching headband with some leftover chiffon and a little elastic at the bottom (not modeled). A total of $2.50 spent. Certainly, the top is not as fitted as the Burda one, but I am pretty pleased with it and I've already worn it a couple of times.
If anyone would be interested to see more about how I drafted the simple pattern, do let me know in the comments below. I could make a simple tutorial if anyone is interested in having a go themselves.
And of course, I'd be delighted to read your comments.
This article was originally published way back in 2013. It's been really popular over the years so I thought we'd update it and bring it to the top of the blog again for all the new readers to enjoy- Mayra
Hello. I had saved this link but … today I sewed this top. Very easy to do, it turned out just fine. Thank you very much from Italy. Kisses…
Lovely, and a green use of what might of would up in the trash! I am also a bigger size but the design is so versatile i would like to try it if you do a tutorial. Congrats on being so clever. Love those fabric rummage bins.
This idea is wonderful! I have some fabric that would work perfectly. Lately I have become interested in sewing clothes again, and I particularly like the idea of self-drafting patterns. If you would do a tutorial, that would be so helpful as I have learned much from your other tutorials. Thank you!
I have 2 fat quarters of a lightweight fabric, I was thinking of a small top but this would work well. Thanks
This is a lovely top — and for $2.50! I am much too large to wear a top like that however I would also appreciate a tutorial and I could make some for my daughter-in-law and granddaughter who would love them. Thank you for all you do!
Absolutely brilliant. I live in Cyprus and lately I’ve seen a few dresses in this style on other women. I keep thinking it looks a simple pattern and I should have a go at drafting something. Now I will definitely be attempting it for myself. Thanks for the tips. You make it sound simple and logical. The top looks lovely on you. Very feminine. Well done.
I love it! I also enjoy shopping the “bargain bin” at the fabric store. Yes, please, put out a tutorial.
I could probably give it a go based on what you shared here, but I would also enjoy a tutorial. Thanks for sharing! It’s gorgeous! Here in the Midwest, I would pair this with a knitted (or not) cardigan/light jacket for the fall, making this a versatile piece to wear through the seasons.
This is such a cool idea (no pun intended, lol). Thanks so much, I am very new to trying to do my own patterns. I think we may get better results because let’s face it, paper store bought patterns don’t always fit the way we’d like.
This looks great, very flattering on you. Thanks for this and all the other great info and patterns you provide.
So simple, yet so elegant. I love this.
Love this. And the details you included such as floating the chiffon by hemming separately. Brilliant.
I would love to learn how to draft a pattern for myself, but I get a little nervous.
I JUST LOVE IT !!!! I had a dress like this with 2 teired ruffles on the bottom and when it got to ragged I took it apart and made some tops for myself. I know your in Florida I am in Texas 10mins. from Galveston so YEA it’s HOT BUT MADE OUT OF OF THE LIGHTEST WEIGHT KNIT FABRIC SUPER EASY ALSO CHIFFON CLINGS HERE WITH HUMIDITY THAT EVEN IF JUST SITTING AROUND IT STICKS TO THE SKIN SO I TIRED THE KNIT OH HOW I LIVE THEM … JUST HANDED THEM TO MY Niece and she loves ???? them . I also made bathing suit top in swim fabric, I can’t stand a halter neck tied around my neck so that is why I did it that way. WISH I STILL HAD THEM BIT YOU REMINDED ME OF THEM SO I WILL BE MAKING MORE !!! I LOVE YOUR WORK STYLE YOU ALSO LOOK LIKE MY Ganny & my aunt ❤ which is how Iearned how to sew.
I think it’s lovely. The colors are gorgeous!
I’m new to sewing, so I need all the help I can get. Pls do a tutorial
How to download the free pattern
Hi Riah, thanks for your question. The article is about showing you that you can actually make your own pattern for a design like this. I’ll put out a more detailed tutorial about it next week. Please stay tuned and give it a try. Happy sewing.
I love it. I’m a larger size than you but I would love to make this top.
How simple looks. I want the tutorial to do the pattern please. ????
Can you please share your drafted pattern? Thank you so much!
Will post as soon as I can.
I have been searching for just the right halter pattern and finally decided to go to Pinterest. I love this pattern. It is exactly what I was looking for. Can wait to try it..
Love it! I am going to find some and make some for my summer!
found you on Craftsy!
Was the chiffon really difficult to work with? I’m considering making a maxi dress (amateur sewer I am) and I’m being told how difficult it is to sew with chiffon… Do you have any tips or maybe I should leave well alone (by trying a smaller project with the chiffon)?
You know, now that I know more about sewing I think exactly the same – I would never try sewing with chiffon. But in my ignorance I just liked it and sewed it. And yes it was a bit slippery, especially as I paired it was a satin under lining, but I didn’t know any better! I would say give it a try. But a small piece, or a remnant and try out some stitches and techniques you’ll want to use in the main project. You can get some new experience and skills and it might just give you the confidence to move on to that bigger project – or make you realise that something else would work better.
I have found your site through craftsy. You are an inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing all this great info!
Love this design. My friend has purchased quite a few of them and i would love to make them! This is beautiful and very flattering. You did a fantastic job and inspired me to take this one on myself. Thank you!!!!
This top is very cute!!!
Thanks for sharing on Tutorial Thursdays.
x
Natalie
http://www.marigoldsloft.blogspot.com
Hi Deby. What a fantastic project. thank you so much for linking up at Thriving on Thursdays. I’m featuring this at tomorrow’s party. Hope to see you again soon.
Anne xx
Cute!!!
So cute! I envy your sewing abilities!!!
xoxo laurie
It looks fantastic and what a great deal! Thanks for linking up with Sew Cute Tuesday:)
Very cute. I would love to see a tutorial. TFS
I’m working on a tutorial right now! Phew, it takes so long. New respect for all those bloggers that publish tutorials every week.
Very cute! I would love to see a tutorial too.
Visiting from Sew Much Ado.
I would love to see the tutorial too. How do you take the blouse off?
This just slips up over the head like a vest or t-shirt. Nothing to undo, no zips or buttons – easy.
Been thinking about making a halter. Love how yours turned out. Pinned:) Swing by http://www.sewsweetvintage.com/2013/01/his-and-her-pillows.html
Really pretty! Thanks for sharing!
This looks lovely. I have a shirt that I want to alter to make something like this
Well done, it looks so gorgeous! I’m hanging out for the tutorial too 🙂
Hi, found your site through the linky party at Sew Many Ways. Your halter blouse is simply gorgeous! I would love a tutorial so I could make one for myself 🙂
I think you are the second person to ask – not a river of requests ha ha, but I’ll certainly start work on a tutorial. Thanks for dropping by.
Cute top! Nice work!
Really turned out great,
If you could possible, I would love to see a tutorial on this top, I just love it. Thank you