Fabulous Free Pattern Friday

I had such a good time putting together today's new pattern. It's basically one big rectangle with the addition of a rectangle for one sleeve and the other sleeve is just a rectangle that is extended from the original rectangle. I'm calling this top 

The Rolling Rectangle Top 

I have to apologize for the pictures. I had no idea that they were so blurry. Hopefully, you can at least get the idea of the top.

The above picture is the finished top laid flat. You can see that it is one big rectangle with a dolman type extension for one sleeve and the other sleeve was a rectangle that I tapered once I was able to try it on. The neck opening is in the top right hand corner.

You can see the rectangle shape above since I am bent to the side.

Again, I am so sorry about these pictures. It is very difficult to see, but the one side drapes and the other side sits close to the body.

I'm bending in the opposite direction here and you can see the one side is close to the body and the other side is draped.
To draft the top, you will need your hip measurement and the length that you would like your finished top to be.

This top needs to be made from a 2-way stretch knit fabric.
Begin with a basic rectangle. The lower measurement is 1/2 your hip measurement. The length is your desired length. This top needs to be close fitting so do not add ease to your hip measurement.   

The top left hand corner is the neck opening. Measure down 9". At the 4 1/2" mark, in the middle of what will be the neck opening, measure in 4" and curve this line for the neck opening as you see above. From the 9" point, measure out for your sleeve. This measurement will be the length from your neck edge to your wrist. Be sure to add a few extra inches as you can always cut away, it's a little more difficult to add back!! On the top right side you see the extension for the opposite sleeve. You can see below that I did not cut this on my top. This was added once I cut my rectangle. What I recommend is to cut the top as I have below. Sew it up and leave an opening for your arm. Try on the top and measure how much more you will need for the sleeve and then sew it to the opening. You'll waste less fabric. 

From the above picture you can see that the neck opening is in the top right hand corner.  

The flat version of my finished top. Look closely and you will see that the top seam has a slight curve at the neckline. Once you try the top on, you will be able to pinch in however much you need to for the curve of the shoulder. You can also see that I tapered my sleeves for a close fit.

Crazy me in my new top.

Rolling Rectangles. I really like this top, and I hope you give it a try. It was a lot of fun to put together and I really enjoyed wearing it.
Hope you've had a wonderful week.
Rhonda