Bootstrap Fashion: Custom-Fit Sewing Patterns - Side Ruffle Draped Knit Top

When I saw this Side Ruffle Draped Knit Top on Bootstrap Fashion, it went immediately into my wishlist and very shortly thereafter I purchased it. I knew it would be perfect for my Hawaiian Dream Vacation wardrobe I'm creating.  You see, I dream of going to Hawaii to surf, swim, dance and photograph flowers, haven't a date yet, so I'm planning the wardrobe under the same premise, law of attraction, that Field of Dreams was built. 

There were no instructions on how to create the pleats, so I made up my own. I enjoy figuring things like this out now that I have enough sewing experience to back me up.

1. Measure the full distance of the pleating area
2. Pick a lucky number (not really, I just happened to like ~ 1" wide pleats which would result in 1/2" folds when done)
3. Mark your pleat points (I made sure to allow some space between the end of the pleat and the beginning of the next one so that the pleats didn't lay one atop the other, otherwise that would add unnecessary bulk when sewing.)

Frankly, I was shocked by how well this fit. Yes, I knew it would fit somewhat since the pattern was based on my measurements. But I had no idea it would actually fit smoothly across all areas of my body. Truly no odd wrinkles, especially in the sway back area. This is so very unusual.

Since this was intended for travel, I took it with me to Bellingham Bay. 

There, dear friends and I found the rare, Pacific Northwest, purple starfish.  Isn't she pretty? I've not seen one in the wild, even though I've lived nearly my whole life here.  Can you believe I took this photo with my iPhone?

And then, there are the moments when you realize after your photo shoot is done that you wore the shirt BACKWARDS the whole time. Sign of a good shirt I'd say. No idea that it was on backwards and frankly, it doesn't look half bad. 

Side view of it on backwards. I think that the ruffle works out to be a little longer due to the pleating. Not sure why that is since both ruffles are exactly the same size. Maybe the front ruffle is placed further out to the side seam. 

You may notice that the top is floppy and loose. It's designed to be tied in a bow. However, there is enough friction with this knit that it stays in place when just tied once without knotting. Pretty dang amazing if you ask me. It wouldn't hold in a slippery fabric, tacking would be required.

See, even in the back, with the pleating, there really aren't any weird wrinkles. Only DESIGN wrinkles. That's very different. So much less stress to be able to cut a pattern out and sew it without making pattern adjustments. Rare! Now becoming a norm for me. Wow. Thank you bootstrap.

This is definitely on my TNT and "to make again" patterns.  Doesn't it look cute with my new linen skirt? That's also a Bootstrap pattern that I'll be blogging soon. 

Fabric for the shirt is from Billie's Designer Fabrics in Chehalis, WA. 
Fabric for the skirt from Marcy Tilton
Patterns for both: Bootstrap Fashion