a little more...goddess - The Apheleia Top

The ApheleiaTop


Please Note: During the following explanation, anyone caught verbally or mentally using the word ‘TOGA’ will be speared on sight. Thank you.

Do you badly need a vacation? Would you like to look a bit more statuesque? Are you trying to dress to complement your classical nose? Yes, you say? Then you need...

Rosewilde and Canderley’s Apheleia top!

Our inspiration:

the Ionic Chiton of ancient Greece. We confess, it might have been in response to our getting sucked into the gorgeous photos on some travel sites.

The early Greeks, when they wore clothes, were known for their beautifully draped and folded style of dress. The best part is, copying this look yourself means little to no sewing. So we decided to name it Apheleia, in honor of the ancient spirit of simplicity.

Gather your tools as follows:

- 1 ½ - 2 yards of 36 inch wide fabric, in a light to very lightweight weight (a heavier weight will not drape properly), any color, dark or light, plain with no pattern, or just a simple geometric print or border;

- 2 buttons 1 inch wide or larger (again, very geometric), and 4 smaller, matching buttons;

- about 3 yards decorative cording and

- thread to match your fabric. 

You’ll also need

- scissors and a

- sewing machine.

How much fabric should you buy, exactly? 1 ½ yards will fall a few inches past your hips, depending on your height. Decide how long you want your finished top to be. Point to that length and measure down to it from your shoulder. Multiply that number by 2, add 3 inches, and divide the results by 36 to know how many yards you need. Round up to the nearest ¼ yard. Wash and iron your fabric before sewing!


When sewing, stitch seams 1/2 from edge. Turn your hems under twice 1/4 inch, or serge and turn 1/2 inch.

All ready? Great! Here we go:

1: Even the cut edges of your fabric. Fold it widthwise in half (perpendicular to the selvage), and lay it out flat on the floor. Slice along the fold, creating a 2-layer rectangle about 36 inches wide (or elbow to elbow plus 5 inches) and 27 or more inches long.

Is the fabric too wide? Don’t be afraid to cut it down on one side. Also, don't worry if you’re an inch or two short in length because the fabric was cut unevenly. You might even want to make it shorter. Just be sure all sides are even, and wide enough to reach generously from elbow to elbow, and shoulder to past your hip.

2: Serge all your edges, or turn them under ¼ inch and iron folds in place. Turn side edges another ¼ inch to the same side and stitch it down. Turn and stitch top and bottom in ½ inch.

3: Measure the face of your buttons. Working on the top edge, 9 inches from the center on each side, pull the back piece over the front, overlapping by the width of a large button. Pin and stitch a 1/2 inch line down the center of the overlap. Apply the large buttons on top. Do the same at the outer corners and 5 inches from each side, overlapping back over front by the smaller button width.

4: Right sides together, sew front to back at sides, close to the folded edge (about 1/8 inch), leaving about 7 inches open at the top. Stitch twice for sturdiness, if desired. Turn fabric right side out.

5: Take your decorative cording and criss-cross it a few times around your midsection. For ideas, Google "Ionic Chiton", or have a look at some Greek art.

Ta-dah!

Want some extra beauty secrets?For a goddess glow, cover your skin with a nice sheen of olive oil and pat on some chalk or white lead. Smear those lips and cheeks with red iron oxide, then grab a stick of charcoal and fill in a lovely unibrow.

Please Note: Rosewilde and Canderley list these tips for entertainment purposes primarily, and do not endorse the use of lead in any beauty regimen. Thank you.

A little more fancy! Enjoy!

Rosewilde and Canderley

For a bolder look:
Don't hem bottom edge. You'll need an extra 1/4 yard of your initial fabric, or a matching shade of knit fabric. From that, cut a rectangle 6 in. long and the measurement around the widest part of your hips plus 3 inches wide. Fold in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press. Turn long edges under 1/2 in. and press. Run 2 lengths of long, gathering stitches all around the bottom edge of the whole shirt. Pinning right sides together, pull gathering stitches to match the long edge of the rectangle, keeping gathers even, and stitch. Fold along pressing lines, and stitch through both layers 1/8-1/4 in. from where the rectangle joins the shirt.