Charleston

The Charleston top is a bias-cut sleeveless shell with a surplice bodice, here made from a 1970s era vintage bed sheet.  The print is meant to imitate an applique quilt, with floral motifs in shades of sage green, mustard, and orange. The neckline is accented with gold metallic vintage new old stock rickrack trim. Crisp cotton percale bias tape, also vintage new old stock, trims the armscye and underbust.    All the seams have been Frenched, meaning that the raw edges are folded inside the seams and double-stitched, leaving a perfectly smooth interior.

Bed sheets make excellent clothing, as they are made with high quality, long-staple cotton intended to get a lot of use.  They are very breathable and launder beautifully.  Cutting on the bias allows the fabric to drape to your figure and move gracefully.

Size small, underbust measures 32″. Overall length is 24″, which falls to your high hip.

To fit the Charleston top. I recommend measuring your underbust.  Take your measuring tape around your torso just below your breasts, where your bra band sits.  Draw in as deep a breath as you can take and note the measurement. This will typically be about 2″ larger than your bra band size. A Charleston top in the same size as your underbust will fit trim to your body. Going up by an inch or two gives you a more casual, relaxed fit.