Chevron, my chevron... - Shwin & Shwin

I love stripes and more I love chevron prints. So while I was deciding which pattern to re-mix for the remix series, I had also made this top. It is a remix of THIS top, with free downloadable pattern. I made a few changes to the pattern but most of it is the same.

This version simply has cute little ties at the shoulders…

And of course a Chevron design across the top.

So if you would like to make one too let’s get started…

Start with the pattern found HERE When I cut it out I cut the top of the shoulder piece so it was a flat half oval shape instead of a “U” shape. Also I lined the circle up to the pattern and cut the bodice the same size width. I did this so the chevron pattern would not gather like the original. Also do not cut them on a fold but cut out 4 individual pieces. I hope you have followed that… It will make sense as things go along. Now to make the chevron design, I started by making my own bias tape… To do this fold your fabric at an angle and cut strips double the width you want your stripes to be. Then fold the sides in and iron them so you have a strip with two folded sides…

Now line up the two front pieces of the bodice. Then take two strips and make them angle to create a triangle of sorts. Make sure they meet at the same place in the middle and they both end at the same place in the corner. Pin them in place.

Next decide your spacing. Since the strips I used were 1 inch thick I spaced them by 1 inch as well to keep things even. So pin the next strip in place one inch away from the first.

Continue until all the strips are placed. Everything should line up nicely if it doesn’t fix it since it will be uneven when you sew if it is uneven now.

To match up the sides I lined up one of the front pieces to the back and made sure all the stripes matched up. Then if you lay out the whole top seam to seam everything should match up.

Now you want to sew the strips down sew as close to the edge as you can. Then sew the two front pieces and the two back pieces together. For the back if you want a button opening (which is optional) Then stop a few inches from the top of the center seam.

You should have two pieces that look like this when they are done.

Next for the impossibly hard to see white on white pictures… oh my it’s bad and the few that followed were so bad you couldn’t tell at all what was going on so I hope you stay with me here… Take the front yoke piece (which could be the same in the back if you skip the buttons) There should be two pieces. sandwich between them the ribbon for the ties with the ends sticking out the top. Then sew along the top edge. Turn it right side out and you will have a top yoke with two ties at the top. For the back you will either have two whole pieces like the front or 4 half pieces You will do the same thing but sew the flat side and top edge so you have two finished edges when done. Ok you still following that…

Next take the yoke pieces and pin them in place to the curve of the bodice pieces. I added some piping in between the layers, but it’s up to you. Sew in place. It will be the same for the front, you just will sew on either side of the slit in the back if you are using two pieces.

So then you will have the curved yoke all sewn in place.

Next I added some piping around the arm opening. Sew to the right side first with the flap along the raw edge. Tuck under the top of the piping so it is a finished edge showing at the top. Then turn it to the inside and topstitch in place.

Add some buttons to the back if you did two panels, which after I did it I decided it was not necessary since the top ties it can just slip on and off over the head, but it added a little something to the back anyway so I am ok with it. Hem the bottom to your liking and you are done..