My shop's motto is make with love and not a pattern, and that usually applies when I do just about any sewing. I'm not a fan of patterns. My mom will say I get it from my great grandmother. This "tutorial" is more of a walk through of my not with a pattern process. It works for some, but not for others, so I totally get if it's not for you. It's just how my mind works.

I've been eying some cute patriotic tops. I thought I'd try to make one myself since I had this fabric around. This took me less than an hour from start to finish.

 

I started out with a piece of polyester blend fabric. It's stretchy. I've used this fabric before to make a skirt and a baby hat as well as the headband for when I was Rosie the Riveter for Halloween. This is the last chunk!

 

I got out a tunic top that I love the fit of. I have a bit of a tummy, so I appreciate loser things to camouflage that. This top is just about perfect.  Not too loose, not too tight. I used it as a guide to cut the width of my top.

 

Then I grabbed a tank that I like the arm and neckline of and used it as a guide to cut that part. This is the back of the shirt.

 

I also used the front of the shirt as a neckline guide. I didn't want it too low cut.

 

I had this lace t-shirt top that was cute, but just didn't fit right.  I cut out a pocket-sized piece, with the lace on the top, so there was no need to hem it.

 

Then, I turned under the edges and pinned it on the shirt. I did a quick run with a straight stitch through the sewing machine, and it was attached.

 

Then, I pinned the front and back together. The pocket is on the inside at this point, because you have to sew right sides together!

 

I tried it on, but it was a little too big. I realized the top I used was somewhat of a dolman top, and that's not the best for something sleeveless. (Don't mind the smudged mirror! Real life, people!)

 

So, I turned it inside out, tried it on again, and pinned it in a little.

 

Then, I trimmed up the sides at an angle to taper it in.

 

I also took in the arm hole a little bit.

 

I tried it on again, and the fit was great. But, I decided that it was a little long, so I rolled it up to where I liked it and pinned it. The awesome thing about the horizontal lines on this top is that they made it easy to cut straight!

The next day, I tried it on again, and though it's knit and I could have left the edges raw, I decided to hem it.  Nothing fancy, I just turned it inside out, folded the edge up a smidgen, and did a zigzag stitch.  

 

Done! I am really happy with how it turned out. I think I may be hunting down some more fun knit soon to make another!

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