knockoff tutorial

I had this boring ol' tee with a neckline I don't like on me and a little too snug for my taste. So rather than throwing it out, I decided to try and jazz it up a bit.

My inspiration came from this Anthropologie top. I thought it was really cute and would be easy enough to copy (and save myself $70 or so in the process).

First, I used a pencil to draw a line directly down the center of the front.

Then cut right down that line.

Next, I cut a strip of scrap fabric to use for the center. I ended up making this piece a lot narrower and then making it thinner at the top than the bottom.

Then I made 3 tiny pleats (turns out the original has pintucks but close enough), pinned them into place,

and sewed them.
I took one side of the tee and sewed it, right sides together, to the middle piece, then did the same for the other side.

I hacked off the top part of the neck...

And sewed on 3 little lace bows.

And ended up with this. It's quite different from the Anthro version, but I like it.

taking photos of myself is real awkward, obviously.