This easy top is simple enough for beginners sew but looks cool enough to wear to a con. The top has one seam going down the back, a keyhole opening with hook closures at the back of the neck (authentic to the actual dress worn by Carrie Fisher in the films) and the signature waist-length hood.
The fabric I used for mine was crushed panne velvet in white. Yes I know that this is not accurate but it was the only fabric I had that would work. I suggest you try a white stretchy knit like the kind they use for t-shirts if you can find it (I had some I was going to use but found out it had somehow gotten stained in storage...hence, the panne velvet version I ended up making).
You will need:
-white, stretchy knit fabric - the yardage depends on how big you're making your top. I used roughly 3 yards making mine.
-measuring tape
-yard stick (or long stick-type thing for marking straight edges)
-sewing pins
-pencil or chalk for marking
-scissors
-sewing machine and basic knowledge to use it
-white thread
-tank top for reference (one that fits you comfortably)
-2 hook closures
-fusible fabric interfacing
Helpful Resources:
-reference pictures
-hood help
-tips for handling stretch fabrics
Before we start: Before I go on I want to clarify my own measurements, which I'll be using as we go along:
Height: 5"11
Bust: 40"
Waist: 31"
Hip: 43"
As you can see I'm 5'11 tall, so if you follow my measurements and are 5'7, the shirt will be too long/big on you. I'll be using my own measurements as I show you how to make the top, so make sure you don't forget to use your own measurements! The only part of the top where you can follow the measurements I give is for the hood.
Side note: because this is white it IS a bit see-through unless you use a thick fabric, so you may want to use an undershirt when wearing it ;)
The fabric I used for mine was crushed panne velvet in white. Yes I know that this is not accurate but it was the only fabric I had that would work. I suggest you try a white stretchy knit like the kind they use for t-shirts if you can find it (I had some I was going to use but found out it had somehow gotten stained in storage...hence, the panne velvet version I ended up making).
You will need:
-white, stretchy knit fabric - the yardage depends on how big you're making your top. I used roughly 3 yards making mine.
-measuring tape
-yard stick (or long stick-type thing for marking straight edges)
-sewing pins
-pencil or chalk for marking
-scissors
-sewing machine and basic knowledge to use it
-white thread
-tank top for reference (one that fits you comfortably)
-2 hook closures
-fusible fabric interfacing
Helpful Resources:
-reference pictures
-hood help
-tips for handling stretch fabrics
Before we start: Before I go on I want to clarify my own measurements, which I'll be using as we go along:
Height: 5"11
Bust: 40"
Waist: 31"
Hip: 43"
As you can see I'm 5'11 tall, so if you follow my measurements and are 5'7, the shirt will be too long/big on you. I'll be using my own measurements as I show you how to make the top, so make sure you don't forget to use your own measurements! The only part of the top where you can follow the measurements I give is for the hood.
Side note: because this is white it IS a bit see-through unless you use a thick fabric, so you may want to use an undershirt when wearing it ;)
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Signing UpStep 1: Figuring out the measurements
The basic top I'm going to show you how to make is very simple - it's pretty much just a rectangle cut on the fold of the fabric. This makes a simple tube-style top that will fit most people well.
Figuring out the length: This is the most simple measurement to determine. Using the measuring tape, measure from the top of your shoulder down to where you want the shirt to end - I made mine longer to give it a tunic-look, so the length I wanted was 30 inches. Add an extra inch to account for seem allowance to your final measure meant - mine was 31 inches long.
Figuring out the width: We will cut the shirt out on a fold so you actually need half of what you want the circumference of the shirt to be. The basic top is a tube that is the same width at the top as it is at the bottom. To determine the width to cut the fabric, I did the following: measure around the widest part of your bust and and the width of your hip where you want the shirt to end. Then, add those two measurements together, then divide by 4. In other words: bust + hip / 4 = width needed. For me, that was 20 inches (ok, so it was a little bit over 20 inches but I rounded it down to 20 because the fabric is stretchy). Add an extra inch to the measurement to account for seam allowance, and my final measurement was 21. Remember that the fabric we will be using is stretchy and therefor forgiving of minor miscalculations, but when in doubt, make it bigger than you think it needs to be. It will be much easier to bring it in if it's too large than to start over.
Write your measurements down so you don't forget, and let's move on to cutting out our top.
Figuring out the length: This is the most simple measurement to determine. Using the measuring tape, measure from the top of your shoulder down to where you want the shirt to end - I made mine longer to give it a tunic-look, so the length I wanted was 30 inches. Add an extra inch to account for seem allowance to your final measure meant - mine was 31 inches long.
Figuring out the width: We will cut the shirt out on a fold so you actually need half of what you want the circumference of the shirt to be. The basic top is a tube that is the same width at the top as it is at the bottom. To determine the width to cut the fabric, I did the following: measure around the widest part of your bust and and the width of your hip where you want the shirt to end. Then, add those two measurements together, then divide by 4. In other words: bust + hip / 4 = width needed. For me, that was 20 inches (ok, so it was a little bit over 20 inches but I rounded it down to 20 because the fabric is stretchy). Add an extra inch to the measurement to account for seam allowance, and my final measurement was 21. Remember that the fabric we will be using is stretchy and therefor forgiving of minor miscalculations, but when in doubt, make it bigger than you think it needs to be. It will be much easier to bring it in if it's too large than to start over.
Write your measurements down so you don't forget, and let's move on to cutting out our top.
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jessyratfink
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Jun 18, 2012. 9:15 AMReplyCute! I bet lots of people going to conventions are going to thank you for this one. :D
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