Gingham Off-The-Shoulder Top (McCall\’s 7573)

McCall\’s 7573 was one of those patterns that I just had to buy as soon as I saw it. In fact, I had designed something similar to this pattern this winter and was planning on doing some creating pattern hacking to achieve this style, but then the new spring line was released, so thank you, McCall\’s, for saving me a lot of annoying drafting work! I knew this pattern would look great in everything from a bouncy linen to a drapey rayon challis (and I have some of the latter in black that I think will make a great night-out top) but I wanted to try it out in this amazing print from Harts Fabric–who wouldn\’t love a springy top in bright pink gingham? (If you were wondering what this pattern looks like in a quilting-weight cotton, here you go!)

I\’ve never had a lot of cute tops and now that I\’ve been making more tops, I thought I ought to have some casual shorts to pair them with, so I just got this pair of dark denim shorts from Grana this week. These are my first pair of shorts in about 10 years–I generally wear skirts rather than shorts and I feel like I\’m showing so much leg! I\’m pretty sure that\’s just my being paranoid though, and this outfit was perfect for a casual Sunday spent getting brunch with my husband and then grilling out with a bunch of doggos at my pretty friend Lea\’s house. I got these because I liked that they were dark wash–although you can\’t tell here they\’re pretty high-waisted and would look very cute with a more pin-up style outfit too–but now I\’m almost tempted to get a second pair either in a light, distressed wash or maybe white? (More white!) Or I could make some… do you know of any bloggers who have made Ginger short shorts?

I made a few slight changes to the finishing of the pattern. First, you\’ll notice that there is some slight gathering in the shoulders of my version where there is none on the pattern envelope. I\’m not sure if I should size down or if it is due to my fabric pick, but the sleeves didn\’t lay flat against my arm. To prevent them from sticking out awkwardly, I inserted some elastic into the bias tape I used to finish all the edges. The bias tape is another change from the pattern as written; the instructions have you fold under and top stitch the fabric for the sleeves, ruffle, and hem, but I think bias tape gives a much neater finish. Also, I think the ruffle with the sleeves is way overkill–I\’d like to make a few more versions of this pattern (the closed shoulder one especially) but I don\’t think I\’ll be using those sleeve pieces at all.

Is it just me or do most people sew tons of tops and less by way of dresses, pants, and skirts? I never spent any time making tops and past Me Made Mays I\’ve really felt the pinch, but this year I feel way more prepared! Speaking of #mmmay17, we\’re half way through… how\’s it going?

xoxo,