Mom O: don’t read any more of this post! Someone’s birthday is coming up…[Mom H, you're next! Consider yourself warned.]

When your friends and family read your blog it’s hard to give them surprises for birthdays or Christmas. Although to be fair, Mom O (my mum-in-law) picked out the fabrics and tried on this shirt a few weeks ago, so it’s not exactly a surprise. Oh and I called her a few nights ago for some last minute measurements, so if there was any doubt about whether I’d pull through with my threat to make her an original Made By Rae birthday creation, I probably removed it there.

The fabric she chose was Midwest Modern by Amy Butler:

: : Close-up of neck…

I fully intend to put up a poll when all this is over and done to see which of these creations y’all like the most. But I already have my guesses just from the number of comments/amount of exuberance on each post.

Before we get to today’s top, I’d like to apologize first for the hideous tan lines. There was another picture (which will remain unposted and deleted forever) of this top where I actually couldn’t see the shirt properly due to the glare off of my chest. Never before have I been so keenly aware of my need to a.) apply self tanner or b.) wear only long sleeved turtlenecks until my skin fades back to its normal lily-whiteness. I’d also like to offer…

Thanks for all the Monday-top love! Yesterday’s blouse was a practice run so I could use this (more expensive) yellow fabric. I’m not sure though; I actually think I might like the red one better. I will say though that the fit is really good on this shirt — I’m not sure the pictures do it justice. Jury’s still out.

I made this version a size smaller (small bust, medium hips on Kwik Sew 3222) than the last one, so it’s more fitted and didn’t require the empire waist modification. The Flour collar worked wonderfully again.

: : Collar Up : :

: : Collar Down : :

Fabric : : Purchased at Field’s Fabric in Holland, MI. They were having a sale and had…

I’ve got three more tops to show you this week! Maybe more. Maybe.

Sew Mama Sew featured a really cool pleated collar tutorial from Flour a few weeks ago that I really wanted to try. I loved the plaid shirt she had made so when I found some yellow picnic plaid (which you’ll see tomorrow) at a fabric store in my hometown whilst visiting for Father’s Day I snapped it up. After a few botches/redos on other stuff I’ve made, I decided that it would probably be a good idea to make a “muslin” first rather than risking my pricey designer fabric. Only I really just can’t deal with sewing a shirt just to toss it when I’m done, so I…

Some of you are wondering how long I can keep up this top week thing, eh? eh? You’ll just have to stick around and see!

Today’s top (and I really am wearing them on the days I post them by the way, which is just so very fun) is another thing I made up for myself. I sketched out what I wanted to do and did a little math and voila, new top. It was a little touch and go there a few times as it actually was supposed to have elastic around the top band for a sort of smocked look but that bombed and the whole thing got ripped out. I did put a zipper in the back, since I’m no longer afraid…

This tie-top came from a pattern my mom gave me from the 70′s which she had used to make a maternity dress. That seems to be a problem of mine; I’m really into the empire waists and the pleats but they often end up making me look somewhat maternity-esque. I tried to make it shorter to prove there’s no baby-belly under there (well, there is, but it’s leftover from the last one). I think it works.

The fabric came from IKEA, from a baby bedspread I pulled apart and made into curtains for Elliot’s room. The leftovers went into this concoction, very Sound-of-Music and all. I like that you can see little birds peaking out here and there.

I actually made this top Continue Reading →