Make Laundry don't do Laundry... Patterns for Pirates Layer Me Up Shirt

I was really excited when I heard about the Make Laundry don't do Laundry blog tour that is happening right now! Who wouldn't rather sew than do laundry, right? Especially if the project takes less time than it takes to wash and dry a load. I'm excited to read all the blog posts along the way.
Did I mention they've got prizes? Just go to one of the participating blogs, like this one right here by my friend Jeanine over at The Crafting Fiend, and down at the bottom is a raffle copter where you can enter. Want to participate? You can add your own blog post like I am at the link up also at the bottom! Now everyone can get in on the fun!
Once I decided I wanted to join in the link up, I knew right way what I wanted to sew. I had this practically brand new maternity dress, with fabric that I loved. The only problem was the fit, and the fact that I wasn't pregnant, and probably won't be again. So I decided to upcycle it into something I'd actually wear and love.

I had just bought Patterns for Pirates Layer Me Up Shirt pattern, but I knew I'd have to alter it before it would fit me, seeing as I'm 5 feet tall, and the patterns are drafted for someone 5 ft. 6 inches tall. Yeah...I'm short...and I'm okay with that, lol. So after shortening the pattern an inch in the armscye, and another 3 inches in the torso, I was ready for my first try! The neck binding gave me some fits, but that was my problem, I'm still learning how to sew knits, but I LOVE how it turned out!

I didn't even have to hem, since I used the original hem of the skirt of the dress. Total time for this project from start to finish was an hour and 15 min, and would've been less had I nailed the the neck binding on the first try (like I did with the armscye binding) instead of the fourth. Well, practice makes perfect!
I spent all morning with the self timer in my front yard trying to get pics, it's rainy, windy and cold! I did manage to get a couple of decent ones in the bunch. I also got some weird stares from the neighbours, whom I'm sure think I'm very obsessed with selfies, lol!

I can't say enough how happy I am that I stuck it through when I was beginning to learn how to sew. It often got discouraging, but it is sooo worth it! Having clothes that fit right has done wonders for my self esteem. When clothes don't fit right, they don't look good. Now I'm off to sew me some more for my wardrobe! It's in desperate need of some new pieces.

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