I DID it! I DID It!!!

I FINALLY figured out how to make one of these pop-over, reversible, criss cross pinafore tops without using buttons or ties for the straps!!! I had finally given in and bought this pattern from Whimsy Coture on etsy, but aside from using her pattern pieces, I didn't get much out of it. She had some CRAZY instructions for how to make it using a side seam thing, that didn't make any sense to me. Even looking at the tutorial pics didn't help me one bit. I got really frustrated and probably swore some, and undoubtedly cried a lot. I was actually kind of angry that I finally broke down and bought the pattern and STILL couldn't make the top.

I went to sleep on it and then, suddenly, I had this idea. This wonderfully simple fantastic idea.


See, there is this shoulder bag tutorial that Tammie and I use all the time, that has a way to join the reversible straps without using a button or a tie. There really isn't a difference between the straps of the top and the straps of the purse, so obviously, I could just join them the same way. I ended up joining her pattern pieces to make one, seamless piece like this smockette. I cut one out of each fabric, and then sewed them right sides together, stopping about an inch away from each shoulder opening. I turned it inside out, pressed it, and then crossed the back and joined the straps using the method in the shoulder bag tutorial. Then I topstitched all around the top to finish it off.

I am so stinkin' excited!!! I love the one I made for NB for school this year. The retro fabric is my favorite, but I really like the orange side too. I think I'm going to have to make at least two more of these for the school year.