Tunic Top Gymboree Style

I like Gymboree clothing for kids. This tunic top is cute and comfy, and DD loves it. After much wear by a very busy kid who is tough on her clothes, this top is starting to show some wear.

I really can't think of a way to fix this. An applique just won't look right in the middle of this top. Instead, I got a wild hair and decided to try to make a top just like it. I know better, and know that it will be frought with problems, but that has never stopped me before.

I don't do things by the book, as a matter of principal. I should. Here I am making a pattern by just putting pattern paper over the Gymbo. dress and making a very rough sketch.

So here's the top, and here is where the problems began. Problem #1. The neckline is edged with stretchy self-fabric on the Gymbo. I wanted to use a coordinating fabric. Off to JoAnn Fabrics I went. Did I buy the closest pink coordinate? No. I was trying to find a rib knit and they didn't have anything close. So I bought binding. Duh. I got the stuff sewn on (and did a nice job, I thought) only to find, of course, that it has zero stretch, and the thing wouldn't go over DD's head. Out it came. (Most important tool in my sewing room is the seam ripper, hands down) Then I created a self-fabric edging, which works fine. Cool.

It's wonky as anything, but I'll figure that out on the next one.

So here comes problem #2. I made some sleeves, based on measurements from the Gymbo. top. And they are way too narrow. Hmmmm.... how does one go about fixing that?? Hmmm....

What I ended up doing was to remove the sleeves and make new ones. I couldn't make the shoulder seams any wider, as they needed to fit on the bodice piece, but I made the sleeves below the seams wider. If my little girl can get her arms through the shoulder area, we're in. Here's hoping!

Here I've attached the front lower part. I put a very loose basting stitch across the top of the piece and pulled the fabric in so it bunched up. Then I attached that piece to the top part. I really like how it came out. Just like the Gymbo. top. =)

Here's a close-up of the bunching. I know there are technical terms for these things, but hey. Bunching works for me. =)






Here I am putting on the back. Same process. Right sides together before stitching.

So now, what to do with the bottom. I considered a lettuce edge here, then decided that it would be too much with the fullness of the bottom of this top. Then I decided to hem it, with a pretty flower stitch. Then I decided that the flower stitch would not work well with a stretchy knit. So I did a regular hem. And I like how it came out.

Serged, and now hemming. I am under the impression that people hem with the right-side up, but I don't get it, so I hem with the ride-side down. Unless the pin the heck out it... maybe they do?






So then, what to do with these sleeves. I want to make them looser if possible, as my problem is with them possibly being too narrow. Lettuce edge. Yup.







I didn't have to do much stretching. Just getting those narrow sleeves around the machine was stretch enough!







And she's done. I really like how it came out, though the true test will be having DD try it on. Not too pleased with where the stitching is on the hem (too high) but it is unlikely anyone will notice but me. I think if I make more like this, I'll eliminate the cross-over top and make a simple neckline. Take away the wonk.

She loves it, and wants to wear it to school on Monday. When I started to take it off, she asked if she could keep it on until pj time. =)