My attempt at copying....and drafting

Although I've been M.I.A for a while, I've still managed to find time to work on a few projects. I've always wanted to duplicate some of my favorite RTW pieces, in different colors, fabrics and better fit. Because of my height, some tops fall too short on me, and of course the inseam of some pants are short too. I decided to conquer a top first.

Here's the top I'm copying, nothing fancy but I really like it.

Now, I've had this top for,.... lets say many sizes ago, lol. It's nothing fancy but I love the smocking/shirring details on it, and I've held onto it for quite some time, with hopes to one day duplicate it.

Since I have some new pattern tools, (yeah) a much needed new cutting table, and a big roll of masking paper (from Lowes), I guess I'm ready!

Here's a pic of my pieces all cut out with fabric pinned. I actually started off by lying the top down on my paper, pinning it to the paper to keep it straight and tracing around. After I traced, I added length and width where I needed, then added in my allowances.

Around the neckline and below the breast is this shirred band so I used elastic thread, hand wounded onto my bobbin to recreate the look. The funny thing is, when I attempted this on my computerized machine, it would not work, it just made, well straight stitches. So I had to pull out my Singer machine to get shirring, lol. With a long stitch and contrasting thread in my needle, it worked perfectly!

I used my serger to roll the edges on the band, before I shirred it. I also used it through-out the construction which made completing it a little faster. Here's a close-up of the top after I finished it.

The outcome was exactly what I wanted, with a much better fit!

Here's both tops

Butterick 4985 completed!

I finally completed this blouse Monday, and it was pretty easy to follow. I'm just focusing now on better finishes. As I mentioned before, I'm getting more acquainted with my serger so that my projects can look less homemade, ya know. Since I'll be the only one, (and my daughter) wearing my experiments, were not going to worry about my white thread I used on the inside. lol I'm still learning! Plus, my nearest Hancock doesn't have a big selection on serger cone colors, and I'm sticking with that excuse for now

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The inside looking better.

Me likey!

I know some reviewers on PR, didnt care for the puffy sleeves, but that's what attracted me to this pattern, it's that detail that makes it different from all my other similar shirt patterns. I'm still learning many basic techniques, so I'm not comfortable yet with altering patterns, but the bust area is a lil snug, thank goodness it's stretch poplin. A bust adjustment lesson is on my to-do list. I think the next time I make this, I'd want it a lil longer too.