I wasn’t going to enter this top for Spring Top Week, but Susan was over today and made me put it on for some pics. So, what the heck, here you go.
I got the idea from this Anthropologie top:
It’s the first thing I’ve made using Eloise, and I couldn’t have done it without her. I basically draped the fabric over her and marked where I needed to “scroonch” up the fabric (ok, I guess it’s technically “ruching” or “shirring”, but “scroonch” sounds the most like what I did.)
Then I broke all the shirring rules and went crazy. I shirred in every direction, unevenly and haphazardly, creating bubbles of fabric. It was actually kind of fun – I highly recommend it. Better than one of those silly stress balls for sure. (Aren’t you glad I didn’t say “for shirr”? Me too.)
Oooh, I love me some navy! Yeah, I know, I’m not exactly the life of the party. I guess now’s not the time to profess my love for spreadsheets either.
I actually made 2 other tops as well, but one is black, and not what I’d call “springy”, and the other one makes me look pregnant. I definitely enjoyed sewing for me though, and I came out with three tops that I’ll definitely wear, and one that I’ll wear if/when I’m ever pregnant again :) So, thanks Rae!
Sharon says
really cute! very impressed:)
Lynne says
Wow! I love it! Thanks for sharing!
knottygnome says
wow that looks really great! i might have to copy you.
Kayla says
Oh wow! That’s gorgeous…I wish I had some semblance of an idea how to make that!
Nancy from mass says
wow! that looks fantastic! hmmm, I may have to copy you also! :)
the mama monster says
really super cute. it looks exactly the the anthro one. could you give a few more details of the process? like what shape you cut out?
crafterhours says
Oh, mama monster, I wish I could! I thought about it, but then figured I would just make it seem more confusing than it really was. Really, I could NOT have done it without the dress form. For the ruched part on the side, I gathered up the fabric to pretend it was ruched and pinned it to the dress form, then marked around the gathered part and shirred within that circle. The bit above the side ruching has elastic in the seam casing to help keep the heaviness of the ruching up. I think that part is more visible at the Anthropologie site. The two shoulder pieces are rectangles that I shirred separately, then sewed to the front and back. It was totally sewing from the seat of my pants. I’m lucky it turned into something wearable, and Tim Gunn would’ve had a hissy fit if he saw what I was doing!
Care says
GORGEOUS!!
I’ve done a little shirring in a grid before — definitely love that bubbly-weirdo texture! It’s fun to do, too!
This is my favorite of all your entries!
Melanie says
SO, did you end up entering this? I love it! Maybe not a spring color, but you can’t wear a tank-top in the middle winter, right?
Andrea says
I *LOVE* it! Wish I had my own ‘Eloise’ (although I think I’ll name mine Darla when I acquire her…someday!) so I could try it out, too!
barbara says
i love that top! it looks great on you.
Beverly @ FlamingoToes.com says
I’m so glad you posted this! It looks fantastic!
Stacey says
I shirr like it!
(Sorry all, it had to be done.)
Pati @ A Crafty Escape says
Love it! I’m super impressed and love how it looks on you!
QuiltyGirl says
I love this top! I first saw it in the Spring Top Week flickr group, and I just keep coming back to it.
You did a great job – I would love to own one of these!
Karin (the Mrs.) says
Very cute. And I love the navy. I think it’s great for spring and perfect to combine with all kinds of skirts in various colours.
Mary says
I love that! It totally looks like something straight from Anthropologie!
Rebecca says
I love that top!! I AM pregnant and I was actually thinking that I wish I knew how to make it (and had an Elosie) to make one for me to wear this summer- it is so cute and would be so flattering on a pregnant me!!
Cook Clean Craft says
Mmmmm, spreadsheets. Sorry, got distracted there…I love the top, and want three for myself.
Kari says
This is gorgeous! I absolutely love it! What a beautiful job you did.
Anna says
wow, that is soo cute and COMFY looking. I’m all about comfortable!
Jessica says
I LOVE this!!!! I want one! I’ve been experimenting with rouching lately and can’t even imagine how you do this. Very impressive. You win in my book for most creative hands down!
Jessica
Kelli Ward says
i love this so much. i can’t wait to try. just curious- did you use any special stitch on your machine? i guess i don’t exactly know what shirring is – just stitching in sortof a web to scrunch the fabric together?
Original Mischief says
Fabulous! Blue is not a colour for me but the bubbling shirr hits the spot! ;)
Care says
Adrianna! Did you hear you’re up for voting tomorrow?? Spread the word!!!
anne says
Saw your shirt on Made by Rae. I’m not usually a fan of knit, but this makes me convert! Such a fun, flattering top!
Cook Clean Craft says
Congrats on making the cut! I still love this top!
Sarah Boyd says
This is fabulous! I love the shirring!
Lia says
that is absolutely gorgeous
MaryJanes and Galoshes says
I love this (even more than the other one you entered so listen to Susan when she tells you to do things LOL)
Andrea @ TheTrainToCrazy.com says
Love it. It looks so great!
I have a weekly Thursday blog party especially for people to share things they’ve made to be worn. Stop by if you’d like!
Ann @ makethebestofthings says
And THIS is why I so yearn for a dress form! I usually alter a pattern then alter it to fit then tweak it then tweak it again…so much easier with Eloise! You are a clever clever woman and this is an award winning top. Love it!
Asiyah says
Congrats on your win! The top is lovely.
lili ash says
Very cute- I love anthro knit tops and this is such a greatly executed top! The ruche-ing is fantastic, you did such a nice job!
Patricia Fujiwara says
I would like to say it’s absolutely lovely work you had done… If you weren’t living so far from Slovakia, I would you ask you to do some marriage outfit for me, congratulations, and what can I say more? You are such talented girl Adri :)
ScrapHappenswithAngie says
Are you going to make a tutorial for this? I absolutely love it and want it!! It’s amazing! Great job!
Tasia says
Wow! This is fantastic, I wrote a post about this top a long time ago wondering how they did it, and someone recommended this post. I love your navy version!
Rachel says
Looks great! I am wanting to attempt the same thing with my dress form. I have a question though. How did you shirr (or scruunch? ;)) With your machine? Or by hand? Thanks! Looks great!!
Loretta says
I am hoping there is a tutorial on this shirt! It is really great!!
Cindy Nipper says
I agree with Loretta! PLEASE show us how you made this beauty! It’s the best shirt I’ve seen in ages! Just the perfect syle for my body type!!!
Wendy says
Yes, pretty please do a tutorial?! One that uses very small words to explain shirring (because I can’t be the only one who has NO IDEA how to do it). With lots of pictures? Don’t make us grovel!
Kate says
Pinterest has marked this link as spam. So you might want to contact them.
Karen says
Really cute–and you did a great job!! (…and I love spreadsheets, too!)
Diane says
These directions make no sense at all! Need more specifics. What kind of shirt did you start with? Where did you cut? What is shirring?
Thanks if you can post more specific directions.