Recycling Denim Jeans

I wanted to make a tunic length top to replace a ready to wear version that had become tired.

I decided to use this pattern as it came with different cup sizes so I didn’t have to do a FBA! I also thought it would work easily with recycled denim from my old jeans. In the end, I had to piece more than I planned to keep the grain lines straight and because my jeans were quite short.

The pattern was easy to follow although I took my own approach to the exposed zip, partly because I could only find an open ended one locally. The only change to the pattern was to shorten it to get it the same length as my original.   I did have to take a lot of volume once I had tried it on. Probably about 12” with most from the centre back. That might be because of of my fabric choice – denim isn’t exactly known for draping well – or because I was using the curvy block to get the right cup size, or I just prefer a more fitted style.

However, I’m really pleased with the outcome.