Version 2 of the Gymboree-Style Top
Here's my second attempt at a Gymboree-Style top. I love the ruffle along the neckline, particularly since that's one of the entire reasons for putting together the top this way. However, I made it 2.5x fullness, which gave me a nice, thick seam allowance and, you guessed it, more stiffness along the neckline. This was kind of a bonehead mistake, so of course I blame it on trying to sew while Mia was awake. It turned out better than last night's dinner, though (also done with a lot of "helping.")
I posted the patterns
I need to get a better shot of the hem, which is done with a contrasting wide bias tape. It's really pretty next to the blue, and since we're currently given to lifting up our top to show off our belly button to strangers, the prettiness will probably show!
Instead of a drawstring through the casing, I create a loop by binding the straps and elastic together. This gives you a flexible fit but eliminates fiddling with the gathers or your toddler untying the straps. Which, you know, never happens.
A closeup of the binding. I butt the ends of the strap and elastic together on top of a piece of bias tape (not required but it makes my feed dogs a lot happier). I trim off the excess & threads later.
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Thanks for sharing this! It looks like our girls are about the same age- mine is 21 months old. This top would be perfect on her!
Waldeck Dry Goods said...
3:54 PM
Oh, I'm so glad! Mine is 23 months :) I feel a little bad that I don't have all the sizes available, so I'm happy to find another mama to a little peanut close in age to mine.
Kristen said...
8:59 PM
Thanks for sharing this pattern! I lengthened it and turned it into a dress for my granddaughter and I have made 6 different dresses for her. Later today I will post pictures on my new blog (alicesaddictions.blogspot.com). I will be sure to reference your blog in that post.
Alice said...
10:21 AM