Yep! I used a tank top that fits almost perfectly as a template for how far I needed to bring in the side seams. It's probably not the neatest way of doing so, but it's easy
Lol, I bought the cheapest sewing machine they had at Walmart, a Singer M1000. Got the feeling that I'm going to outgrow it soon.
Matching patterns is too much for me at this point. Solid colors only 'til I start to learn what the heck I'm doing.

