A Disco Top DIY

I’m doing something a bit different on the blog today because I’m posting in two places at once! I have one DIY here on Jessthetics and another on the Funki Fabrics blog. Have a peek and let me know which top is your favourite When Funki Fabrics asked if they could send me some fabrics I was so excited because I had already been browsing their collection for some rainbow fabric for a holiday bikini. Since I’m not going away anywhere warm this year I’ve made a couple of long sleeved tops instead – much more appropriate for the Scottish weather! I have a thing for roll necks, so I decided to make one in gold! I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the fabric when it arrived. It’s feels thick and substantial, unlike the stretchy fabrics that I’m used to seeing in high street shops, and it sewed beautifully. I just LOVE the way this top turned out. It’s so shimmery and it reminds me of my pair of gold disco pants – if I wear them together I could have a disco suit! You just need a meter of fabric to make this top, and I used a self-drafted pattern.

Step 1: Trace around a bodycon top that fits you well for the bodice and sleeve pattern pieces and trace around the neck of a top that fits you well for the roll neck piece. Add half an inch to the outline of every pattern piece for the seam allowance.

Step 2: Cut two of the bodice pieces, cut four of the sleeve pieces (two on one side, two on the other) and cut four of the collar pieces. Make sure that the stretchiest length of fabric is going across the body and arms.

Step3: Sew the shoulders and the sides of the two bodice pieces together with the right sides facing each other.

Step 4: Sew the sides of each set of sleeves together with the right sides facing.

Step 5: Sew the sleeves into each armhole with right sides together.

Step 6: Sew the top of each set of collar pieces together, right sides facing.

Step 7: Sew the sides of the collar pieces together, right sides facing, so that you end up with a circle of fabric.

Step 8: Sew the collar into the bodice so that both raw edges are attached to the bodice, right sides together.

Step 9: Hem the sleeves and the bottom of the top.

Outfit details: Top, handmade (obviously) /Bell bottoms, Ette / Shoes, ASOS (Old) / Hat, H&M (Old)

This fabric was actually a dream to work with. This is my first time sewing with lycra so I had read up on Craftsy’s top tips for sewing with spandex and tried out the straight stitch on a scrap piece of gold fabric but it held up fine so that’s what I used. It didn’t stretch whilst I was sewing at all, which is such a relief! I would definitely sew with it again. I’m looking forward to wearing this top with everything!

p.s. My laptop is in the repair shop right now so I’m temporarily without photoshop. I hope you enjoy my (almost) unedited photos! They look so naked to me. I can’t wait to have my computer back!