Customised Blue Top

I bought this blue top for £2 at a vintage fair a few weeks ago, the pretty pattern on the fabric caught my eye, and the crinkliness of the fabric gave it some unusual texture.  Unfortunately the blouse also had a tie around the neck, a tie around the waist, a ruffled collar (that stood upwards), and wide 3/4 length sleeves elasticated at the end with little bows.  Way too much going on.

I wasn't exactly sure what to do with it but I decided to give it a go and see what I could make.  I took off the tie around the waist and the belt loops as I knew I hated that.  I also lost the tie around the neck which looked ridiculous open or done up, and I hate things around my neck anyway.

Before

After

 I didn't want to lose the collar completely, like the sleeves it looked funny without.  I wanted to keep some of the ruffles but I didn't like the way the collar stood up.  I removed it and re-sewed it so it lay flat, using the tie from the waist as bias binding around the neckline.

The sleeves were a problem, I took away the bows and the elastic at the end but they were quite wide and a very odd length (not a fan of 3/4 length).  I wanted to keep the sleeves long though, as I liked the effect of seeing my arms through the sheer fabric, and the sleeves looked odd shortened on a blouse/shirt.  So I kept them long but took them in to make them narrower.

I sewed the little bows from the sleeves onto the bottom of the blouse, at the seam line, for cuteness. :)

Before

 

After

N.B yes I am aware that it doesn't look that much different in the before and after shots but actually it is a lot more wearable now so I'm quite please :)