Tie-string Sleeveless Top for Natalie

 I'm kinda in a sewing mode these days, & feeling quite industrious! So, I gotta ride on the inspiration & motivation while it lasts :D

This is by no means a tutorial, but I'm always impressed at reading other blogposts on tutorials. So, I want to do my best to capture the steps as closely as I possibly can, so that you're able to "imagine" the work process as I go along.

 Firstly, I decided to pick a tie-string blouse that my daughter likes to wear. I think, this should be an easy enough project for me to get started ^^

Understanding that this t-shirt material is considered as "knit" material, & thus much more stretchable, I drew out a pattern (with it as my example) that's a few size larger. I think I'm safe... for now.

 Then come the hard part. Choosing fabric, hehe... Though I've decided to work with GLIMMA collection for this project, it's really hard to choose 1 out of the 18 prints I have at hand.

And, since Natalie is in school, I cant ask her opinion of which will be her favourite. (She's like me, she has up to 10 favourites! lol... )

Finally, I decided to work with Tove in Rosey Cheeks. She's barely 7, so let's choose something fun, playful, cheerful, with a dash of pink! ^^

 Pattern drawn out, & fabric rolled, ready to be cut.

 I have no idea how this will turn out... as it's my first attempt at a free-hand drawn pattern :D Even though I knew the tie-string will compensate for any wrong-sizing along the arm hole, I'm working along by "faith" really, & playing by "ear"... haha...

 Initially I dont want to use an inner lining, as I had cut & folded the fabric a tad short (trying to be thrifty). But hey, let every effort be the best effort!

So, I unrolled the fabric, & cut some more for the lining. With the lining, it'll help to give it a nice "body" with a professional finishing touch too.

 Sewing the lining (right side to right side), "opening" it, & stitching it across again on the "inside".

 Not sure if this picture is clear enough, but the stitching can be seen on the inside (of the neck-line) here, mainly to keep this lining sitting pretty, downwards.

 From the front (outside), no stitching can be seen.

Up next, cutting the bias tape for the strings. I really should have taken more pics from this stage onwards, attaching the bias tape. Well, I was totally in no mood already, as it was raining cats & dogs outside, the sky has turned really dark. With the kids sleeping (yes, this project was stopped at least 4 times from morning till afternoon), all I wanted to do was rush thru & complete it.

Finally, it was completed, with hidden seams even on the inside. I was really proud of myself & cant wait for Natalie to wake up from her nap.

When she did, I happily asked her to try on her new tie-string top. To my dismay, she struggled to fit into it from the arm onwards! Oh no....!!!

With some creative manoeuvre, I managed to let it slide down her. But, it was obviously too small for her.

My mind started ticking quickly & determining that this day's work is not going to waste, I set forth to undo the side seams, & ... everything literally!

This poor fabric had to go thru some painful undoing, but I'm glad it persevered, along with me, hehe...

But, this time, I had no more allowance to "hide" my inside seams neatly. I had no choice, but to use the "zig-zag" stitches (dont know what it's called) keep it from fraying in the future.

Natalie was happily playing camping with her brother by then, & sweaty too, when I called her again to try on the altered piece.

This time it fits! *phew*

"Natalie, please wear this often...", I told her. I went through a lot just to make you this simple, easy to make Tie-String Top! She smiled, & say "OK!" :D

This was taken this morning, newly ironed & pressed.

Up next, an Easy-Peasy Skirt to go along, with another Drake in Slate fabric, from the same collection ;)