Sometimes you just have to try something new - a woven story

I think if you have been sewing for some time you'll eventually want to dive into pattern hacking. Doesn't matter if you generally want to learn making your own patterns, can't find the exact design you are looking for or if you just want to save a bit of money.

I had this fabric in my stash and didn't know what to do with it. Perfect reason to try something new...

I did not stick to just knits or woven fabrics at the beginning of my sewing journey. I just bought what appealed to my eye, then I bought a few patterns, bought more fabrics, more patterns, a few of them matched, others stayed unused in the stack, then I bought patterns for a specific project and the fabrics I would need for it, and so on, and so on. You understand, right?

When I was tidying up my fabric stash, sorting them into knits and wovens (and else), I tried to think of specific clothes to make out of each fabric - mostly successful. But this violet woven fabric, which is quite stiff and not the best quality, almost gave me a headache. I just couldn't think of anything to do with it! It's too see-through for a skirt. Too thin for a bag. Not the type of fabric for pants in any way. So it stayed in my stash for quite some more time.

But eventually motivation got me, I pulled it out again and finally! There was the idea. I'll just try a woven top with it! I've wanted to try a woven top anyways.
I quickly decided to use the Lou Box Top by Sew diy as my base pattern and alter that, as I was concerned the stiffness of the fabric would make it look more bulky and not flattering at all.

So, what to do?
I took the original pattern, traced it onto Burda tissue paper, then I modified it: I measured my full bust and made the pattern fitted at this point. I left the whole shoulder/base cap sleeve area as it originally was. I let it go straight down to the waist (so that I can put it on and off without the need of a closure) and then I made it wider at the hips (because hello pear shape!). Done.

I thought about weather to use a patttern specifically designed for such a woven top (such as the Scout Tee from Grainline Studios) or not. But my version seems a lot tighter, not as loose and - besides the sleeves due to their nature - fits me quite well.

The sewing part was as fast as it could get, as it just needs shoulders, sides and hems to be sewn - and I made absolutely no effort for special seams, it's all just serged and the hems folded inside once and secured with a straight stitch.

But then I didn't like the outcome. The fabric was and looks cheap (though cute). And while the pattern fits ok, the top turned out a bit short, just sliiiightly too short and it looks weird at the hips. Should have done those bigger seam allowances!

This means, I actually only wore this top once in over a year and I remember I felt rather uncomfortable that one time. Since then it sat in my wardrobe, a sad reminder that not every project can be a win.
Funny thing is though, I really like the look in these photos. If I just iron the hems at the sleeves, this could be a great outfit combination!
So my final conclusion: I have to give this another try and wear it - asap.

Over to you: Did you ever modify a pattern so much, it can hardly be recognised anymore?