Yesterday I shared a tutorial for how to make a tie-on shoulder bow and today I have my finished top to show you. This is a very basic tank top with super cute bows tied on the shoulders. In complete disclosure, I kind of hated this top for a few days. Then, I added some pleats to the back, got ready to take photos and decided, I actually like this top!
About a month ago, I saw this top from Zara, fell totally in love with the adorable shoulder bows and decided that I need to make one of my own. I found a very basic previously un-used top pattern in my pattern stash (you have that too, right?) and decided to give it a try. The pattern is Simplicity 8523. I honestly don't even remember buying this pattern but it seems like a pretty good basic. Good fit, just a little boxy through the body.
I made a few simple modifications. I added a center back seam and V shape to the back. After trying on the top and living with it for a few days, I added a couple of pleats to the back. I chose to make the pleats exactly along the stripes in the fabric and I really like how it looks. The top pulls over the head, and fortunately, I'm still able to put it on even with the pleats. I also lined the top instead of using facings because the fabric is a little bit see through.
The fabric is a fabric from my stash (hello! Summer Stashbust!) that I bought at the thrift store ages ago. I think it's a cotton/poly blend and I'm not exactly sure what you would call it. It's similar to an eyelet but it has the purple and green woven in. So maybe an embroidered eyelet? The fabric was pieced together in weird places and for some reason I imagine that it used to be someone's curtains.
I used this fabric once before to make a blouse. I didn't like it, never wore it and eventually gave it away. For a while, I thought this top might have the same fate but I've decided I actually like this. Key to liking this was adding the pleats in the back. The original inspiration top appears to be without any darts but on me it just looked too voluminous.
Here I'm wearing the top with a pair of old BDG jeans (I love these jeans but they're a bit stretched out and I need to by a replacement pair), Land's End gold sandals and of course matching lilac nail polish. If you want to make your own take on this top, check out my DIY Tutorial for the Tie-On Shoulder Bows. There's even a free pattern for you to download!
