Comfy lightweight denim ruffle top

Comfy lightweight denim ruffle top

• 5.01.2015

Notice a trend in my recent sewing? I love denim. I've been wearing a lot of it (mixed denim jackets and jeans, even!) and have now made two dresses (1, 2) and this top out of this perfect lightweight denim from one of the apparel collections at JoAnn. And I made this lightweight pinstripe denim dress the other week!

A long time ago I shared how to make a peplum top out of any dress pattern. Important stuff, people. This top uses method #2: a simple short gathered skirt attached at the waist of the bodice, in place of the skirt-length real skirt.

Except, to create a looser top, I didn't put in the darts on this Simplicity 1873 bodice, and I cut it out a size too big. (I chose this pattern because it does have a substantial bust dart in the side seam, which I did add for shaping. It is a very versatile pattern--see all my uses of it here!)

As a dress pattern, it's meant to be lined, but this denim is perfect for an unlined finish so I used single fold bias tape and trimmed away some excess seam allowance around the neckline and arm openings to give the same finished dimensions with a bias binding.

Loose = no zipper! Easy to sew and wear!

Of course it goes great with white jeans! (Who can wait till after Memorial Day to wear them!?!??!) I layered it under a boxy lightweight coat.

Jacket: J.Crew via Goodwill. Jeans: Lucky Brand via Goodwill. Purse: Nine West (similar). Shoes: Target old. Top: DIY!

Now bring on more warm weather like we've been having!