spring top challenge, part 1

okay, so i have an unfinished dress that's pissing me the hell off (which is why it's still not yet done, ugh), but that didn't stop me from jumping into a different project altogether. heh.

i was cruising online tutorials, looking for a cute idea to use for a contest i wanted to enter, when i came across this super sweet ruffly top. it's actually not a top made from scratch. instead, you take a plain old tee, cut up a second one to make ruffles and frilly shit out of, and sew it all together. and so, of course, i had to give it a shot.

i picked up two of these basic gray tees from target:

took 'em home, and busted out the scissors. i have to admit, i kind of yelped a little as i sliced right into the side and cut it open, following the directions carefully. i snipped out a bunch of strips of t-shirt material, sat at my machine, created the ruffles, and attached them to the shirt. i don't have step-by-step pics, because the tutorial already has great illustrations, and besides, i was on a roll.

when the hub caught sight of what i was doing, he was rather horrified at the notion of cutting up a "perfectly good shirt" to make this one. he wasn't too impressed with my creation, but what does he know? hmph.

i don't know why, because they're actually really easy to make, but i struggled a little with the little rosettes for the neckline. but they were so cute on the original top that i patiently unstitched, resewed, and repeated the process a couple of times before i was finally satisfied. because, like all of my other projects, this one wasn't perfect and the rosettes would cover up my slight fuckup in measuring the neck ruffle. muahahahaha.

and then i busted out my little tripod while the bean was napping and snapped a couple of shots to submit to the contest:

i like it much better with the cardigan over it, but i'm pretty satisfied with the results either way. plus, i'll be able to get away with wearing it to work with the coverup. know what i mean?

i have a couple of other ideas for contest entries, and i have till the end of the month. wish me luck in carving out the time to get 'em done.