Last weekend, I had a wedding to go to. I’d originally planned to wear the same cotton dress I’d made for my brother’s wedding in September. But even after 32 years, I forget how big the weather swing is from September to October. And I also had second thoughts about the dress for an evening affair in a West Loop loft.
As I began digging through my closet for alternatives, it became quite clear that I don’t often dress up once the weather gets cold. I have casual skirts & dresses for work and play, but nothing for an evening out. I wasn’t sure about wearing a bridesmaid’s dress to a wedding (Plan B), particularly with tights and open-toed shoes, but that’s what I went with since Plan B.2 ended where every single other one of my hastily-made projects does: at a problem.
I found this tutorial and thought “no problem — I can whip that out in an hour. With alterations.”
Famous last words. I stopped when I tried it on and realized the top was guaranteed to serve me with a serious wardrobe malfunction. So I stuck with Plan B (which ended up working out fine). But I absolutely love the fabric — I got it in my Pandora’s box a few years back and it’s my favorite thing that came in it. So I knew I had to finish this top — I could not let my favorite piece of fabric go into the scrap heap.
The changes I made? Instead of bias tape, I cut a second triangle for lining. Instead of tying the triangle ends behind my back, I cut long pieces to wrap around and tie. I ended up making a sloppy buttonhole to smooth out the wraparound. I can tie it in a bow in the front, or continue wrapping to the back and tie in a knot.
And I also lowered the casing for the neck tie — as high as it was in the tutorial, it wasn’t giving me enough fabric across the bust. Dropping it down a couple more inches to get a little more width across the bust did the trick.
I’m pretty pleased with it, and pleased, too, that I have a dressy-ish top that I can wear with a sweater for fall or on its own in warm weather.
Project: Wrap-it-around triangle halter
Time: About 2 hours, all told
Materials: Cotton sateen from the Denver Fabrics box (maybe $3? $4?)
Pattern: Based on Triangle Halter Top tutorial on CraftStylish
Tags: last-minute, separates, sewing, top, triangle halter, twis
That is fantastic!
Thank you! It’s nice to finally have a franken-project with a happy ending.
It’s lovely! And I can definitely relate–it seems like I’m always scrounging for things to wear to fall weddings.
Yeah, my closet is not a friendly place for fancy cold weather clothes. (and thank you!)
I made this top thank u so much it is amazing
Ur patern has now even traveled to south africa
Thank you! The original pattern/tutorial I worked from was really nicely done, which helped a ton.