This pattern is a collaboration between design house In The Folds and Peppermint Magazine. It’s a free download with the option to donate. It’s a casual wrap top with a crop length that ties in the front.
I wanted to make something for the end of summer while at the same time using up some of my lightweight stash fabric. This pattern ticked both those boxes.
Pattern Basics
I was impressed with the print options: you don’t have to print every size, only the one(s) you need. That to me is a step forward in downloadable patterns. Less confusion as to isolating my size line from all the others, just my size alone. That being said, I did print 2 sizes, as I wasn’t sure if I might need to grade from one to another (I didn’t). It was a much less cluttered and streamlined experience.
The pattern instructions were thorough and clear. The intended design finish for the seams of the top is French seams. I followed this plan because I always favor a lux finish when possible, however I didn’t finish the sleeve seams this way, only because I didn’t expect that in the instructions and I set in the sleeves normally without reading them. If I make the shirt again I’ll definitely give French seamed sleeves a try.
Alterations Discussion
The matter of whether or not to do a FBA was a tough call. The instructions say to choose your size based on your high bust measurement (which they provide), and to do an FBA from there if necessary. They also say that the shirt is designed with a lot of ease and to consider that when deciding whether or not you need to make that adjustment. With that in mind, I cut a size F and didn’t do an FBA. It turned out alright, but I think it was a bit shorter than it should’ve been. I might’ve needed a small FBA to improve the fit through the sleeves and to extend the length a bit more. Again, if I make another one I’ll alter the pattern a bit more.
I did reposition the dart and that worked out well, however it did mean repositioning the side opening for the tie. This is another reason I wish I’d added more length to the pattern, either through an FBA or just by adding more onto the bottoms of both the fronts and back.
Fabric
The fabric I used is from my Craigslist haul, from wayyy back when. I responded to an ad by someone giving away a huge amount of fabric for free, and I’ve been working on finding uses for it ever since. I believe that it’s probably rayon because it’s extremely floppy and drapey. It’s also opaque for it’s thinness, which is interesting. I’d have to do a burn test to know for sure. I made a jumpsuit with this same fabric a while back, and still had a lot of it left.
Here’s how the top came out:
It’s a nice layering top, and good for wearing with high waisted pants. By the way, if you’re new to my blog and wondering about the pants, they’re Vogue 1507, made by me and blogged about here and here.
I enjoyed making this top, give it a try if you need a style like this in your wardrobe.
Take care and ty for reading 🙂
Sewcoordinated 