The original idea for this top comes from Obsessively Stitching. I LOVE her idea, but was forced to change it up a little. (I don’t have a serger and elastic thread scares me.) I used her pattern and made a peasant top this summer with short sleeves. The one I make today will be long sleeved. Make sure the men’s T-shirt is loose in the sleeve. Otherwise, the arms won’t look very flowy.
You need:
1 Men’s T-shirt that is a little big for you – especially under the arm
Thread that matches or contrasts the Men’s T-shirt
1 Fave Scarf
Scissors or Rotary Cutter and Mat
Sewing Machine
Fold the men’s T-shirt in half carefully lining up the shoulder seams. Lay it on a flat surface. Cut at an angle from just below the collar to just past the top of the shoulder seam.
Here’s how it looks unfolded.
The next part is a little tricky. Being careful to not stretch the fabric, fold over the neckline 1 inch and sew a casing. On the arm between the shoulder seams, you will need to play with the fabric as there will be some pleats/gathers at the shoulders. Don’t obsess over it too much. You’ll understand in the last step. Completely finish the seam and then cut a slit right next to one shoulder seam at the front.
Grab your fave scarf and thread it through the slit in the shoulder. I used a diaper pin to help with threading.
Once the scarf is threaded, decide how loose you want the neck line to be and tie the scarf. For dinner with your sweetie, it might be loose and off one shoulder. When racing around with children, wear it a little closer. With all the gathering, the shoulder pleats/gathers are practically invisible. I had planned to chop the ends of the sleeves and add elastic, but my sleeves were the right length. Here’s my cool new peasant top!
Feel free to swap out the scarf to suit your mood. Wide ribbon would be adorable. Of course if scarves are not for you, leave about an inch open in the casing and thread a small ribbon or elastic for the neckline. ‘Still very cute!
(Notice the bracelet.) ‘Sending a big “THANK YOU” to my dear friend, Amanda, for making a super cute bracelet for me! Thank you, Amanda! Isn’t it great?!
