An different "twist" on the Japanese shirt idea.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

-Marianne Williamson, President of the board of The Peace Alliance

Last night, I dreamed the first two sentences of this quote were written on a wall. I also dreamed I was 40 and couldn't figure out where the last few years went. It wasn't a problem in the dream, just a weird amnesiac feeling. Last week, we watched Akeela and the Bee with our daughter, and the above quote was a big part of the story. My six-year-old loved it!

Round and round we go with my double helix theory.... I once admitted on this blog that I was addicted to the Scott Baio reality show. Apparently, there will be a second season. Not sure why.. seems like the main problem has largely been solved. Anyway, on the show, his relationship coach tells him he's "playing small" (see above quote). I know I am often guilty of the same. Placing limits on myself, on our son, on my time, on my abilities... whose voice is that? It is mine.

Last week, our family went to church, and managed to get our son to sit still for a whole 20 minutes before a full-on tantrum began. People were not understanding. We keep trying, but church is just an exercise in frustration right now. When we have to go somewhere that requires quiet AND dressing up (a deadly combination) I unusually finish the event with ripped hose, twisted clothing, mussed hair... looking like I've just finished a wresting match. Even last week, I never heard a word of the service. Hmmm... twisted clothes...

Thanks to Madhatter's inspiring post, I'm doing my own version of this. It is a great asymmetrical, twisted top, that looks casual, artsy, and wonderfully cozy for the winter months.

So, again I thought "I'd love to make it, but I don't really leave the house often enough to make use of the clothing I have." This shirt is a REASON to leave the house. We are going to stop playing small, and start doing the things we can do, go the places we can go, and look good doing them. This shirt marks the new year, and the opportunities it brings...

And, well... it only cost me $4... ha!

I'm draping mine on the form, without a pattern.

For the way my mind works, draping is a better way to achieve the fit and look I want. Madhatter's version was great, and I love the humor of making myself a "straitjacket" style top!

So here's what the process looked like...

Mine has 5 pieces (front, back, left shoulder inset with part of collar, left and right sleeve) The right sleeve I designed as twisted, but the left will not be. My collar overlaps, and I have a left shoulder overlap that will close with a covered button, so I can get in and out of the top without stretching it out. My sleeves are slightly raglan at the underarm, with a gusset-like extension that goes down to the bustline. This fabric is lighter weight than it appears in these photos, and I need the stretch of it to make the design look the way it is supposed to, so I am adding a side zipper opening on the left. A bit of boning on each side seam will stabilize the top, keeping it from twisting out of place.



I started with the bias at the shoulder, and started wrapping and pinning in place.



I matched the grainlines, and made the shoulder inset.



I added the twisted sleeve, and am semi-flat patterning the other. Should be finished today. Quick project.