Plaid cape top and gored skirt

November 15, 2016 Stacy

Here is a Pinterest pattern hack coming for you. This pin is pretty popular. It is a short-sleeved top with a “cape” over it. If you are on Pinterest, I am sure you have seen it. I know it comes up in my feed all the time.

I wanted to make this as part of my winter capsule in black and long-sleeved. Since it is for winter, I am not doing the key-hole in the back. That would be cold.

The base pattern I used for this is the Wardrobe by Me – Wardrobe Builder Tee. I made two versions – one in black and the one shown here. I made it a size larger for the black, as I wanted a looser fit, so I made a size 14. I did it in cotton lycra and it didn’t have the right amount of drape. I will be re-doing it.

This was the first time I made this WBM pattern, and I do generally like the fit. Christina drafts for more of a pear shape, which I am a rectangle. If you have more of a difference in your hips/waist than I do, some of the modifications I made will not apply to you. Got to work with what you got!

I will make up an add-on pattern for this, but I want to do a few modifications of this top first.

I used a jersey knit here. As I said above, I needed to do some modifications. I made this to my measurements (size 12), and it slid down on my hips a bit too far. I am a rectangle, so this wouldn’t slide down on a pear shape. First, I tried sewing clear elastic in the bottom 6″ of the side hems on either side. The elastic was 4″ long, so it had a subtle ruching of about 2″. Didn’t look right. Next, I took out the elastic (fun times) and cut off 3″ off the bottom, including the hem. I hemmed it at a good spot on my hip. I think knowing the most flattering length of top on YOUR body is pretty important. Lengths that look good on others won’t necessarily look good on you.

A pretty simple add on for a pattern, but a fun stylish one! You can add whatever length sleeves you want with the wardrobe builder shirt, or do sleeveless underneath by adding a band to, or hemming, the armscye.