A Tipi, Two New Tops and a Baby

J is getting ready to set up his tipi for the fourth graders at my school. He was getting everything out the other day. So I decided it was a good time to venture down in to the backyard to snap a few photos of my latest make. Hence the title. Nothing like a change of scenery, right? So excuse the messy hair and paintin' jeans. But please enjoy the gratuitous cute baby :)

I know I mentioned that the black pom pom top in my last post was my favorite make ever. But I think it's already been surpassed by this little black and white number. I know. More black and white. I told you I went on a black and white fabric shopping spree. It really has made getting dressed in the morning easy, but I need to add some color in soon.

This top is a modified Jacqueline crop top, another pattern from Tina Givens. I bought several of her patterns this summer during a sale. I bought this particular pattern on a whim because the crop top reminded me of my favorite Free People blouse.

I made the spotty version first. The fabric is a printed linen I found at Joann's. The first version is made up exactly as drafted except I lengthened the back skirt by two inches and I only used two pieces to make the skirt. I don't know if my linen was wider than what the pattern intended, but cutting three pieces the width of the fabric seemed overkill. Isn't there some magic ratio where you can no longer gather fabric? So I only cut two. Then I matched side seams when sewing the skirt and bodice together. Just beware that if you do the third skirt piece, your ruffle with be very ruffly. The crop top is intended to go over a longer slip. I love the volume but I'm not sure how I feel about the volume and all the layering. I may try the slip but I really just bought the pattern for the top. I didn't take any photos of me wearing the printed linen version but I am really digging it. The sleeves are great. Three-quarter length, easy at the top and narrow at the wrist. I made the front skirt the length the pattern specified (8 inches, I think). And it really is cropped. It looks good with a higher waist skirt but with pants it shows a little bit of belly. So I need to figure out something to wear under it. I'm thinking I may make a black linen camisole to go under. Or maybe I should try the slip. I'll work on it. The photo below is to show the difference in length between the two tops.

I made the black and white version next. This time I lengthened the front skirt three inches and the back six. I wanted it to be a top I could wear with regular waistlines. And I did a cut on cap sleeve (same way I did it here) instead of the long sleeve. I love this top. It is the perfect swingy top. I know it looks like a big rectangle, but it isn't. There is some subtle shaping which really makes the linen hang well. Givens patterns are big and voluminous but I feel like they are done very smartly. That is a really funny word- smartly. Anyway, I feel like her patterns are drafted thoughtfully even though the instructions and technical drawings are sub par. I've made a couple other things from her patterns which I've yet to photograph for le blog. But I do have to modify a little bit. I like the volume, but I also need a leetle bit more shaping if you know what I mean.

And of course, the baby. Or should I say, the toddler. Jane is almost seventeen months now and is absolutely hilarious. She has the best sense of humor and makes us laugh out loud all the time. And you should see the girl dance. She is a trip!