Smock Pinafore Top Project~ Cutting a pattern

I also have this up on my website but I would like to put it here for the sake of simplicity~

Please feel free to Adjust the pattern to your liking. This is for up to a 36 inch chest, so be sure to measure around the largest part of your bust to see if this fits, if its a little too small you can make it a little wider at the neckline(#3 and 4) and the U loop on the side.

This Pattern is easily adjustable once you get the hang of it. I use a similiar pattern for my Pinafore tops. The first time you try it, use a cheap fabric or scraps to get a "feel" for the pattern . Let me know if you have any questions!

Simple Apron Smock Top:



1. You'll need about a yard and a half of fabric folded in half.



2. Measure about 3 inches in from the fold and about 7 inches down.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/vivalda/2.jpg



3. Cut the measured portion as shown in pic above
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/vivalda/3.jpg



4. at 3 inches inyou will place about 37" of "loop" it looks like a U but I think it fits even better if it looks like a J. But for the sake of simplicity I am using A U shape about 37" in.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/vivalda/4.jpg



5. Cut it out
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/vivalda/5.jpg



6. Measure 21 inches down the middle (or how long YOU want it) and cut the shape out...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/vivalda/6.jpg




7. Now get ready to finish the top! Right now you can try on the cut piece to see if it will fit right




I will be putting up a thread soon on how to finish this top!
feel free to show yours and ask questions~

 

I realize I'm digging up an old topic...but I made a top from your tutorial a few months ago, (from the figtree site i think?) I loved the directions and the finished project, but I was wondering if you had any tips for darts? It just seems like it would look better if I had a dart on each side, but I'm not quite sure how to go about making them. Thanks, I wish I would have found this thread when I started making the top.
eace:

 

I just noticed this!

You can be really creative with darts, having seams on the outside for shaping is fun. To do a more traditional dart, you would have to mark the point where your breast is, and have it be a gradual line. (as opposed to a sharp triangle type)

 

Thanks for the response. I did pull out the top I had made and added darts, I kind of just winged it...but I like how it turned out. I might have to make another one before summer. eace: