Tailor it to fit February: Loosen a tight top with a fabric panel in back

I was so happy with how this turned out! I was inspired by a cute anthropologie sweater that screamed "how to loosen things up". I want so badly to do this with more tops!!! But instead of floral, maybe with striped or polka dot fabric next time. 

Last night's blogger meet up party was a BLAST! I looooved meeting everyone there!! Thanks Shelby and Jane!

top: banana republic refashioned  pants: thrifted/refashioned  shoes: Zodiac vintage thrifted  sunglasses: f21

Supplies:

Shirt

Fabric (preferably something flowy like polyester or lightweight knit) 

Ruler

Fabric marker (or use pins)

Pins

Scissors

Sewing machine

Thread

Instructions:

 

1. Cut the fabric into a shape that looks like a triangle with a rounded bottom, but the top is cut off.

2. Seam rip the shirt.

3. Cut the shirt from the middle bottom of the back, and cut into a diagonal toward the armpit. Repeat on the other side. It will look like you have a funky v left over in the center back.

4. Gather the top of the fabric to fit from armpit to armpit. 

5. Pin and sew the sides of the of the cut fabric with the newly cut sides of the shirt. 

 6. Mark with fabric pen or pins where you want the fabric to hit on your back. 

7. Flip the fabric to pin and sew right sides together, pin the gathered part to the marked line. Make sure you sew into the corners to close the gap.

8. Cut excess shirt that is the shape of the v now that the fabric has been sewn to it.

9. Iron and sew the bottom both fabric and shirt the way you like the hem to look. 

*Optional - Cut the neckline and re-hem (I cut out a new neckline and sewed a new strip of ribbing or knit fabric that was 1.5 inches wide, folded it over and sewed a top stitch)