Refashion - silk tank top

Today's refashion project was a 100% silk top that I got for $1 on a clearance rack somewhere.  The cut was really strange - it was an extra large but had almost no coverage up top, so I knew I would never wear it, but I loved the material.  And today I turned it into a fun summer dress for Ailidh!

Want to try one?  It only takes about a half hour...

Start with a cute tank top.

Compare it with a dress of the size you want to make.  Mine was about 4" too big on each side.

Cut that amount off the center back.  I cut down the middle back, and then cut off 8" from each side, tapering it out near the hem.  Cut off the old straps too, and take out any elastic (mine had a piece along the top in the back)

Pin your new back seam and sew it up.  Overcast the edges to prevent fraying.

Out of the extra material you cut off the back, cut 2 3" rectangles, as long as possible.  These will be the new straps.

Fold each one in half, right sides together, and sew up the long edge.  Turn and press.

Now, put your elastic thread bobbin in the machine and run 2 lines of shirring all the way around the waist.    Run more lines of shirring from the top edge to the waistline across the back, from one old side seam to the other.

Almost done!  Try the dress on and fold the front corners down at an angle (leaving room for the arms), however fits nicely.  Pin on the straps in the front.  Be sure to get both sides the same!
 Top stitch along the fold, and across the strap ends, securing them in place.

 Try it on again and pin the straps down in the back.  Topstitch those in place also.

If you have any scraps leftover, try making a matching headband, using a piece of elastic at the back.

 Go play!