Monday, March 23, 2015

The Ziggy Top Challenge

The Ziggy top is a really cool and simple pattern from Made It Patterns, which features a boxy silhouette and an oversized relaxed fit. 
The pattern is beautifully drafted and it comes with clear step-by-step pictures and even includes a tutorial for painting the design on the cover photo. The pattern comes in sizes 2y-10y, so you would be able to get plenty of use from it!
This pattern was originally designed for jersey knit fabrics, but since Spring is here, I wanted to make a top that was more appropriate for warmer weather. Maybe later, I will make another Ziggy top with Jersey knit fabric.

Anyway, Olu, from Needle and Ted and Made It Patterns, invited me and a few other talented bloggers, to participate on a challenge in which we had to add unique detail to the Ziggy top. Whoever wins gets 2 of their awesome patterns (fingers crossed!).

For this challenge, I decided not to make one, but 2 Ziggy tops! Since this pattern is appropriate for both boys and girls, it was the perfect opportunity to make one for my son too. It is hard to find patterns that my son likes, and this one is just perfect for him.

For my son's Ziggy top, I downsized to size 7 (he usually wears 8) to have a less oversized look. I also choses Kona cotton fabric for his top. I wanted it to have a cool Spring retro look, so I chose to use solid colors. At first I was just thinking of making it in solid light blue, but then I decided to add some white accents to the top. I'm in love with the end look!





At first I wasn't sure if this pattern was going to work with woven fabrics, but it worked because of its oversized style. When I started thinking of what details I could add to this top, I immediately thought of adding a button placket, because the neckline would not have any stretch. Then I got the idea of adding a welt pocket and also added a little decorative tab on top of the welt pocket.


I also thought of making the top sleeveless at first, but then decided to add a little bit of a sleeve, so that it looked like a sleeve cuff. And because this top is oversized, part of the shirt goes over the shoulder making it look like it was short sleeves. Genius right?! :D

The shorts I used to style this outfit is store bought. Originally I wanted to make a pair of shorts, but I run out of time and had to buy a pair that coordinated with the top I made. The glasses are vintage! I found them at a thrift store and I think it adds a nice look to the overall outfit. 



For my daughter, I made the Ziggy top into a dress. She loves to wear dresses and rarely wears tops, so I had no choice. However, I do like how this dress turned out! I used a soft reversible denim fabric with a floral design which has that retro chic look I love.



To make the dress, I use a size smaller than the one she wears and I lengthened it, so that it would hit above her knee. I kept it sleeveless and originally was going to draft facings for the neckline and arm openings, but then I decided to just line it. 



I just made the lining a little be shorter than the dress, so that the lining would make the main fabric fold  in, creating a perfect invisible hem.

On the back of the dress, I added an invisible zipper. On the front, I added two tiny box pleats or tuck at the waist and two large buttons, centered below the collar. 









Anyway, I hope you liked what I did with the Ziggy top. Don't forget to leave your lovely comments below ;) I love reading your comments. 

If you are interested in purchasing this pattern, Made it Patterns is offering it at 20% for this week only, so don't delay!




15 comments:

  1. wow, both versions are so beautiful. I love the dress! And the photo shoot with your son is simply amazing. He looks so fun with his vintage sunglasses!

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    1. Thanks Annika. My son had a great time modeling this shirt!

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  2. I love them both!! The shirt looks so good in cotton and those details are great! And that dress is super cute. The pleats in the middle are genius for the shape.

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    1. Thank you Ajaire I love what you did with the Ziggy top too. Your daughter looks adorable!

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  3. I LOVE these! I so need to do this for summer!

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    1. Thank you Paisley Roots! These are great for summer, you should make some ;)

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  4. I really like both these versions but especially the blue shirt - brilliant.

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  5. WOW! you sure changed these up big time, they are both great but your boy top in particular looks amazing, great detail and I love how the silhouette looks by removing the sleeves on these.

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    1. Thank you Anna. This challenge was really fun! I enjoyed sewing the Ziggy top.

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  6. Both great and certainly have unique detail. Fabulous job.

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  7. I love them both but I think my favorite is the first because that welt pocket is so adorable!

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    1. Thank you Sam! I certainly had fun making the welt pocket. It is actually the first time I make a welt pocket and now that I know it's not so hard to do, I'll add them to other garments.

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  8. Beautiful welt pocket on the shirt. Also I hope you don't mind but I pinned your creative knot dress onto the Project Run and Play pinterest page. I can post onto the page, and I thought your dress was so cute in the March Challenge.
    Deborah Devine @ Sew Much to Give

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Thank you for your comments!