I just recently realized that while I was off being pregnant and breast feeding for the past year and half, my entire wardrobe went out of style. Luckily a recent 24 hour stomach flu gave me the opportunity lounge in bed with stacks of style magazines, catching up on the world of fashion in 2017. And I’ve got to say, I am more confused than ever. Cropped goucho pants… no thank you. But distressed skinny jeans… got it. Shoulder cut outs…ugh, over it. But bell sleeves…okay, I’ll give it a try. And so I did. I decided to take my favorite shirt sewing pattern and create an ever-so- trendy “bell sleeve top.” Maybe I can now fit in with the cool kids. Now on to research what restaurants the cool kids are going to…
sewing pattern: the Lou Box Top by Sew DIY. look for this pattern {here} at Indiesew.com
fabric: rayon challis from JoAnn’s
rice bead necklace: Candy Shop Vintage in Charleston, SC
baby: 13 months old and sweet as can be
Steps to adding the bell sleeve
- sew your Lou Box Top as instructed but DON’T hem the sleeve.
- cut out two additional rectangle pieces of fabric that are twice the width of the shirt sleeve pattern and about 6-8 inches in height.
- right sides together, sew the side seam of the rectangle piece, creating a tube.
- hem the bottom of the bell sleeve.
- do a basting stitch across the top of the bell sleeve, leaving long strings on each end.
- pull the thread of the basting stitch to gather your bell sleeve.
- right sides together, pin in place the gathered part of the bell sleeve to the original sleeve, making sure to evenly space out your gathers.
- sew with a regular straight stitch.
- press your seam downwards.
- put your new top on and do a happy little arm dance.
So that’s it from this wanna-be trendy mom. Happy spring everybody!
