Top-toberfest Day Three: Bands and Buttons Raglan Top

 

                                

Well it is officially day three of my little Top-toberfest celebration.  I've decided to share a little top that I call the Bands and Buttons Raglan Top.  Having made so many raglan sleeve tops for Clark, I thought that it was time I make one for myself.  I created the pattern for this shirt by using an existing raglan style top.  I of course added a bit of length to the shirt, took in the neckline a bit, and modified the sleeve length.  The most obvious of the changes would have to be all of the bands and buttons.  I created a little brown band that runs along one of the side seams.  I like the way that it breaks up the shirt and provides a bit of a focal point.

I had to do a  bit of math when modifying my pattern to accommodate the band.  Below you can find a tutorial for adding a band to your existing raglan shirt pattern.  If you haven't ever created a pattern from existing clothes this tutorial from Made might help you.  If you've never assembled a raglan sleeve shirt see this post.  My tutorial is just to cover the basics of the shoulder band modification.  I'd provide info for the waistband, but that was a bit of an experiment and I am by no means an expert.  

Read more below for the shoulder band details.

Gearing Up For Fall: Raglan Shirt with Bulldog Applique

Mr. C and I are getting ready for a nice fall vacation next week.  It has me paranoid that while we are gone the seasons are going to change and we will be stranded wearing our summer clothing in very fall like weather.  I decided to make Mr. C a long sleeve shirt from a couple of existing shirts (cream and navy) and some remaining knit yardage  that I had on hand. You'll recognize the moss green trim and warm brown knit from my handstitched top and cap sleeve tutorial.

I ended up making the pattern from an existing shirt.  I added a bit of extra length in the arms and torso to accommodate for growth.  For more information on making a pattern from an existing clothing article see here, for information on piecing together a raglan shirt see here.

The image is a free image from Ottobre.  I love the bulldog, and Clark helped pick it out.  I used a cut away technique for the applique and topstitched around the edges (that was the most painful part).

The thing that I love about Raglan shirts is that they are great for growing into.  You don't look quite so dopey if the shirt is a bit large, because you don't have a shoulder/sleeve seam hanging down around your elbows. I love making clothes for kids.  Hopefully Clark allows me to so for him for a few more years.

I added a few messy stitches with embroidery floss along the cuffs and the applique. Clark was such a sweet boy for our little photo shoot, he didn't sit still long, but look at all of those smiles he gave me.  He's a bit under the weather today, so I am missing those smiles.

I'm linking up here today.