The Seersucker Shirt

Hello Readers. My husband put this in the give away pile and once it's there, it's all mine. It's hard to tell from these pictures but it is a light blue and white striped seersucker fabric that is great for summer. It will be cool in the heat.

I considered making it into a skirt but thought the light colors might look like an old school tennis skirt. I haven't played tennis since junior high and I wasn't any good at it. So, I made a top. I cut off the yolk and the sleeves to start with.

I folded the top edge under twice and stitched it in place. I put the front pieces in place, one behind the other and sewed them together. I also put a few stitches between each button all the way down the shirt to keep the front flat when its worn. I can pull it on over my head.

I also removed the pocket. It wasn't in the right place anymore and I liked the top without it. It was more streamlined with no extra details like the pocket.

I cut the ends of the sleeves off and used them as ties for the front of my new top. I cut very close to the seam that was already there so it will control any fraying. If I see any loose threads after washing I can just trim them off.

I pinned then sewed the ties on the front of the shirt where the bra straps were and tied them around the back of my neck.

Here is a picture of all the fabric I cut away. It looks like a science class dissection. I haven't done that since junior high either. Eww! (I wasn't very good in science class either.) 

I wore it tucked in and pulled out so you can see the difference. I like it tucked in best I think. But a belt around the untucked shirt might be nice too. It's nice to have options.

I wore this when I was touring the historic town of Harper's Ferry in West Virginia. It is a National Park and an active town. It is on a small peninsula with the Potomac River on one side and the Shanandoah River on the other. It was beautiful.

***BONUS TRACK***

When I got the idea to make a halter neck top with straps I almost didn't do it because I didn't have a bra with those style straps. Then I decided to alter a bra I already had. If you don't have it, make it.

The gray fabric is to make it easier to see.

I started by simply cutting the straps off in the back at an angle.

Then I put them together so they would sit behind my neck. I was careful to get the measurement correct so it would fit my neck comfortably. I cut off the excess. It worked great with the new top. I think this will be a very useful item.

Thanks for reading, now go make something fun for yourself.