an exercise in utility

i've been organizing, sorting, inventory-ing, purging, and otherwise completely messing up the shop.  but it has gotten me to touch fabric again.  :)

for months i've had an idea for a new nursing top but i only got around to the muslin a few weeks ago--and then i only got around to the fitting today.  which just shows you the kind of sewing momentum i have going right now--it's what rudi calls IDD: "intention deficit disorder".  but i since i haven't shown you any sewing for a while, i figured i could at least post this--it is just a muslin, so bear with me.  it looks like an ordinary peasant top:

 

which provides my favorite nursing access:

but in actual fact it is two separate pieces which can be worn overlapped for nursing, or as individual pieces:

the whole thing took about an hour to cut and assemble--the fact that i spread that hour out over three weeks' time is my own fault. 

the skirt is just a rectangle:
width = hip circumference X 1.5
length = as desired, plus enough for waistline casing and hem

sew the short ends together, put a casing in the top and thread it with elastic.  hem.  (cutting one large rectangle creates only one seam, up the back.  if you choose, you can cut two rectangles, creating side seams.)

the top is one rectangle each for front and back (same size), and one each for the sleeves.  the construction is exactly how i make medieval/rennaissance/elizabethan/victorian/hippie chemises, the only variable is the length of the sleeve or the bodice.

BODICE RECTANGLES--cut two as follows:
width = underbust circumference
length = top of shoulder to underbust plus casing at top and bottom

SLEEVE RECTANGLES--cut two as follows:
width  = twice the bicep measurement
length = however long you want plus casing at top and bottom

NOTE--make sure to use the same casing width at the top of sleeve and bodice!   

now, if you've made my pillowcase dress, the next part will be familiar:  you are going to cut a J shape out of BOTH top corners of BOTH of the bodice rectangles--my J was 7" deep and 3 1/2" wide.  start with that size and adjust later if needed.  cut the exact same J shape out of BOTH top corners of BOTH of the sleeves.  the bodice and sleeve pieces will have the same basic shape--they will simply be different sizes depending on your measurements and the length you choose for your sleeves: 

the J shape is your armscye.  with right sides together, lay one sleeve on top of one bodice, matching the J's, and sew--repeat with the other sleeve.  now sew the remaining sleeve J's to the remaining bodice piece.  the neckline will be HUGE--that is correct!  sew the side seams from the hem of the top to the hem of the sleeve, in one pass.  the top is together!--all you have to do now is  fold and sew a casing at the neckline, the underbust, and both sleeve hems.  thread with elastic, and YOU ARE DONE.

if you make two outfits, each in a fabric that coordinates with the other, you end up with four complete outfit combinations, plus the four separates can be worn with other things (think jeans with the tops, t-shirts with the skirts--mix and match for bathing suit coverups, jammies--you get the idea).

please make this outfit.  prove to yourself how easy sewing can be.  even if you don't wear this, you know someone who would love to have it.  or you know an organization that would love to have this to give to someone who needs it.  and you know you have fabric to use up.  :)   i myself will be making several of these--one in some fun fabric that ella picked out for me--one in some panne velvet that needs something to do--one out of a sheet that i have been hording for just such an outfit.  i'm going to sew, i am, i really mean it--the very minute after i clear off the cutting table.