1950's sleeveless top

When I first saw this top over at Handmade Jane, I knew I had to make one for myself.  Being a vintage pattern I thought I would never find it in my size, I've never graded a pattern, so that was out of the question.  The pattern is Simplicity 4238, it took awhile, but I finally found it and had it in my hands a few weeks later.  I must admit the instructions through me for a loop, I didn't understand how the front band facing went together, so I just fudged my way through it. I think it turned out ok.  I plan on making more of these for the summer, maybe it'll become clearer to me after a couple more.  Other than that, I really love the top, I love the way it fits, its very casual, but I think  the darts, give it a more fitted look, therefore dresses it up a bit.

Split back top

In anticipation for summer, I started working on summer tops.  I had a pattern for an split back top, years ago, but when moving I decided to clean house and  donated all my "outdated" patterns.  Little did I know, I would give anything for them now.  But I figured, how hard could it be to split  a tee shirt in the back.  So I took Butterick 5493 view C and split the back open, I added a little flare and omitted the ruffle in the front.
As usual,  I did a rolled hem, I love this feature on my serger, it's so easy to do  and looks nice and neat.  I can't wait for a hot day to wear this top!

Peplum top flop!

Two days ago it was 40 something degrees, rainy, but you could see the green grass.  Yesterday morning I woke up to this.....

So what do you do when you're snowed in?  Work on projects.  I've been wanting to make a peplum top, but I have no pattern, so I searched the internet for free patterns.  I found a few tutorials, but they weren't very clear, as least not to me.  So, I did what I always do, I winged it (wung it?, wanat it?), whatever!  I made it up as I went along.

This is the result:

I didn't have enough fabric to cut the peplum on the bias, so I tried to match up the plaid, as you can see, that didn't turn out to good.  I also I used the pattern for the blank canvas tee and made my own peplum, but I couldn't figure out how big to make it, so I just made it as big around at the natural waist line and flair out like an A-line skirt.  I think I should've made it a tad bigger around the waist, but then I didn't want gathers.    I think I'll look for better instructions on how to do that and if the snow doesn't clear soon, guess what I'll be doing?