so i sewed this… and it's finished!

So this top was finished before i started the blog (which is very recent if you're just tuning in), but i hadn't taken any photos. This is my first project (i'm not counting the sewing projects i did as a kid), so be kind! Actually i can take the critique, so go ahead, because it will help me learn! This fabric has been hanging around waiting for me to make something out of it. It's a large piece, so I can probably still cut a dress out of it. I think my aunt & uncle gave it to me; they always find unique gifts. Not sure why they decided to give it to me because i wasn't sewing at the time. Maybe they thought it would be good for me to wrap around myself and attend a toga party. (which it would have been perfect for and I actually did attend a toga party in college, but just used a plain sheet. drat, a missed opportunity there!)

Sorry about the flash on the ruler. As you can see, it's a batik with a zigzaggy pattern. This is also before i acquired the huge pattern stash (see my pervious post). So with a mass of fabric, a brand new sewing machine, and a total lack of patterns, I decided to just copy a shirt i already own for the pattern shape. Side note: I was very impressed with myself when i picked out blue thread that matched almost perfectly when i was at the store and did not have the fabric with me. The bias tape which was also purchased was a pretty good match as well. So here's the shirt i traced…

I love the embroidery on it. It's from Banana Republic. I like their fit, it works for me, although this top is on the looser side. But I like looser tops with fitted bottoms (and vice versa). I laid the shirt down and traced the front and the back. Then I folded each of those in half so that they would by symmetrical if my tracing wasn't perfect. I added 5/8" for a seam allowance and cut it out on the fold. I used french seams on the sides after i saw so many blog postings of fabulous looking insides using french seams. I used bias tape for the neckband and armholes - first time and i think it turned out ok. On the bottom hem, I zigzagged the edge and then folded it up and stitched. This was before I discovered my overlock foot, which makes zigzagging the edges so much easier! Here you can see the inside seam and the bottom hem…

Here's the inside of the top so that you can see the bias tape…

Here's a close up of the neckline, right side up…

And here's the full view…

I actually did wear this to work (with a cardigan because the AC is freezing). No one said "Oh my gosh, your homemade shirt looks horrific!" So that's a plus. I also didn't bring it up, and I'm behind a computer screen all day, so… (I did wash and iron it before taking these photos.) I think it would look cute with these pair of shorts that i own…

(One day i will sew my own shorts. But not today, or tomorrow…) So there it is, my first project, a sleeveless top.  Where is the photo of me modeling it, you say? Sorry! I will do better next time! I took these photos late last night and it just didn't happen. I'll try to take a photo next time I wear it. The top could use some bust darts, but I didn't know how to do those at the time. And I omitted the shirring at the neckline that the BR top had - trying to keep it simple for a first project. 

So does it look wearable? like it? hate it? suggestions? What was the first project you did and how did it turn out? If you blogged about it, leave me a link - I'd love to check them out!