U Create

It's a good day to create!

  • pinterest
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • twitter
  • rss
  • crafts
    • crochet/knit
    • jewelry
    • kids crafts
    • paper crafts
    • sewing
      • bags
      • boys-clothing
      • girls-clothing
      • women-clothing
      • pillows
      • quilts
  • home decor
    • bathroom
    • build it
    • frames
    • kids
    • kitchen
    • office
  • recipes
    • desserts
    • dinner
    • snacks
    • soups
  • parties
    • baby shower
    • birthday
    • games
    • gift wrapping
    • party decor
    • party favors
  • printables
  • holidays
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Father’s Day
    • Halloween
    • July 4th
    • Mother’s Day
    • New Years
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • gifts
    • baby
    • electronics
    • graduation
    • teacher gifts
  • About
  • Be My Guest
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • pinterest
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • twitter
  • rss

27 Feb

The Petal Top Tutorial

the petal top

Hi! I’m Jill from Made it on Monday and I’m so excited to be here today!
My blog is all about crafting, sewing, creating and inspiring, but mostly sewing. I have a tendency to fall in love with clothes but not their prices. So one of my hobbies is pouring over pictures of name brand clothes and then coming up with a way to recreate them. I started my blog when I was working part time and the mom of a new baby, desperately needing a new way to express my creative side. I’m now home full time with my two-year-old and excitedly looking forward to a new baby this October. The blog-related constant through these life changes has been that my projects need to be quick and simple. The bulk of what you’ll find can be made in one day.

The Petal Top Tutorial
2012-02-25 021
The Petal Top is a knock-off of the Ann Taylor Georgette Petal Top which retailed for $88 when it was available. I first discovered it over at The Chloe Conspiracy. You can make one as well, for whatever you’re willing to pay for two yards of fabric.
It really was a simple top to make with the most time consuming aspect being the petals.
2012-02-25 036
My favorite element of it is the corsage-like cluster of flowers at the neckline.
Want to make one yourself? All you’ll need is two yards of fabric and thread. I used a soft, somewhat flowy material from a bolt my mother-in-law found at a thrift store. Anything thin or sheer would work well.
2012-02-25 001
I started by using a tank that I like the cut of as a pattern. Since my material didn’t have any stretch to it, I made sure and set the existing top in from the fold about an inch, and then cut an extra inch outside of the top to make sure I had enough for seam allowances. I then used the cut out front as the pattern for the back (to be sure my shoulder widths and arm holes matched up), but narrowed it by about an inch and a half since you don’t need as much material in the back. I kept my neckline high in the front and even higher in the back.
2012-02-25 002
The next step was cutting out the petals. You need to keep them big. You can see from the pattern sitting on the front of the shirt just how large the petal is in comparison to the shirt. I originally made another top and used a CD as the pattern for the petals. Big mistake. I now know how to make a Big Bird looking costume. Perhaps if I had intended this to be The Feather Top rather than the Petal Top…
2012-02-25 003
After carefully studying my inspiration picture, I noticed that there were about 15 large petals on the front of the shirt, and about 15 more small petals. I cut out 16 large ones and ended up having a few left over. For the small petals, I did use a CD as my pattern and kept them exact circles, and cut out 18 of them.
2012-02-25 004
I then used my rolled hem foot to finish off all the edges of the petals since my material frays a lot. If you aren’t familiar with a rolled hem foot, you can check out my tutorial on using one HERE. It is seriously my favorite sewing foot. Using the rolled hem around the curves was a little tricky, but I eventually got the hang of it.
2012-02-25 005
Once all my petals were finished, I started laying them out on the right side of the shirt front. I layered three for the bottom row and pinned them down.
2012-02-25 006
Then sewed along the top in a straight line. Then I pinned the next layer down, making sure there was plenty of overlap so the stitching line would be hidden, sewed it down, and continued this way until I had four rows, or up to just above the bust line. If half of a petal ended up hanging over the edge of the shirt, I simply cut it down the middle and used the other half in another row.
2012-02-25 007
You can see in the picture above where the last row of petals was sewn on.
2012-02-25 008
I then pinned down a row of the small petals and sewed them to the shirt. All remaining petals and flowers wouldn’t be added until after the shirt was constructed.
2012-02-25 010
Because my fabric doesn’t stretch at all, I needed to add a slit to the back so I could slip it over my head. Then the shirt was simple to construct by sewing the back and front, right sides together, at the shoulders and then side seams. Once all your seams are sewn, trim off any excess petal. I then hemmed the top and finished off the arm holes and neckline by first serging my raw edges and then folding them in and sewing them down. If you don’t have a serger, simply do a double fold to hide the raw edge and sew.
2012-02-25 013
I finally added the last row of petals from one shoulder seam, around the neckline and to the other shoulder seam, with about a quarter inch of the petal extending above the neckline. They were sewn down (this line of stitching is exposed). My hope is that as I wear the top, the top part will fold over the stich line.
2012-02-25 014
And the final step—my favorite one—was adding a cluster of flowers.
I used my remaining small petals (about six of them) and simply pinched the circle in the middle and pinned it down. I clustered them together and then just did a small amount of stitching to the center of each one to hold the flower in place.
2012-02-25 035
I love the way the top turned out and am so excited to bring a little spring to my wardrobe with it! If you make one, I’d love to see it too! Just stop by and let me know.
Thank you so much for having me today, Kari! I loved being here!

I’d love to have you come visit my blog, check out what’s inspiring me on Pinterest, or take a look at my Etsy shop, Ruffles ‘n Such. But for now, I’m excited to share with you my latest sewing project.

 

Jill has amazing sewing skills and check at these beautiful ideas over at Made It On Monday, too…

polka dot tunic top  knit striped skirt tutorial  polka dot ruffle top  ruffled top tutorial

Also find Jill here:

Shop

Facebook

Pinterest

You may also like these

Tons of FREE MINI Quilt PatternsFree Mini Quilt Patterns12 Baby Animal Towel TutorialsHow to make a bandana drawstring backpackBandanna Drawstring Backpack TutorialDIY Fabric Bin Planters by HaberdasheryFunDIY Fabric Bin PlantersStarboard Skirt TutorialStarboard Skirt Tutorial
Previous Post: La La Loopsy Sleeping Bag Tutorial
Next Post: DIY Library Totes

Comments

  1. Rachel says

    February 27, 2012 at 5:44 PM

    I LOVE Jill and her adorable designs! Beautiful top once again, Jill–it’s so gorgeous!

    reply to this comment >
  2. entrebordadosehilos@gmail.com says

    February 27, 2012 at 5:45 PM

    Me parece monisimo y facil

    gracias por compartir

    reply to this comment >
  3. Andrea Graf says

    February 27, 2012 at 6:23 PM

    So adorable!

    reply to this comment >
  4. geraly unite-o'day says

    February 27, 2012 at 7:10 PM

    thanks so much for posting this tutorial! i really want to try it out! 🙂

    reply to this comment >
  5. Trimble says

    February 28, 2012 at 2:48 AM

    SO cute! Also, in case anyone hasn’t thought of it, this would make a fabulous nursing shirt! Just cut slits or holes in the bottom layer and maybe put something to keep the petals down. Thanks for the tutorial!

    reply to this comment >
  6. kirstin & tricia says

    February 28, 2012 at 5:41 AM

    GORGEOUS. Love Jill, love her blog, so excited to see her on here!

    reply to this comment >
  7. *Gaba* says

    February 28, 2012 at 2:03 PM

    Me encanta tu blog! lo miro siempre!
    Sos muy habilidosa!
    Felicitaciones por esa blusa hermosa!
    Besos desde Argentina.
    Gaba♥

    reply to this comment >
  8. FADİŞ says

    February 28, 2012 at 9:54 AM

    Harika olmuş:)

    reply to this comment >
  9. Lisa says

    February 28, 2012 at 2:08 PM

    This is absolutely gorgeous! It looks like it came right out of an expensive boutique!

    reply to this comment >
  10. Make It Happen Mama says

    February 29, 2012 at 6:59 AM

    I feel like this top would over-emphasize my bust, but it’s adorable on you! A little bit jealous 😉

    reply to this comment >

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Popular Posts

How to Make a Rubiks Cube Valentine Box

Classroom Valentine Box: Rubik’s Cube

Personalized Hershey Kisses for Valentine's Day - Reasons Why I Love You

Valentine Gift – Reasons Why I Love You

Heart Pillow Tutorial by Noodlehead

Red Heart Pillow Tutorial

Free Valentine Quilt Patterns

How to organize or let go of your UFO's (unfinished craft objects)!

How to Organize your UFO’s

New Year's Eve Match Game using Hershey Kisses

New Year’s Eve Match Game

  • pinterest
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • twitter
  • rss
Back to Top

Copyright © 2019 U-Create • All Rights Reserved • Site Design by Emily White Designs