Made by a Fabricista: Spring Tops

Back when I first began sewing there was a great sew along hosted by Made by Rae called the "Spring Top Sew along."  I loved that sew along, it happened during early spring, just during the time that you were ready to throw all your winter clothes out the window and warm up, shaking all of the winter's snow and gloom off.   I participated several times and I experimented with, mostly, quilting cottons for my tops back in those days because I didn't know any better.  It was great practice for me and over time taught me the importance of using specifically apparel fabrics for my clothes.  I guess the sew along conditioned me to feel the urge to sew up new spring tops when the first daffodils or crocuses begin to pop up out of the ground because that is just what I did!

The first top is made up in a linen/cotton blend with a textured finish.  Its beautiful and perfect for a nice neutral top.  It will pair with so many of my spring pants (and necklaces) including the ponte pants pictured here.  I also can't wait to pair it with my Flint pants.  This particular fabric is now sold out but there are so many gorgeous solid linens on the Fabric Mart site that you should have no problem finding something to sew into a top.  There are also a few linen blends, which I love, it seems to me that blended linen doesn't take as long to "break in" with washings.  The one that I would recommend for this top is this beige linen/rayon blend or this floral linen/cotton blend- those colors are gorgeous!

The pattern is a new to me pattern company, In the Folds who makes free downloadable patterns for Peppermint magazine.  This top is the ruffle sleeve top without the ruffle.  I love the curve of the V neck with this fabric, it sewed into place beautifully.  I already have plans to make some of the other free patterns available on the Peppermint magazine site, just because it was such a pleasure to sew this one up.      

The second top is made up in a gorgeous designer flannel voile.  I fell in love with the color of this fabric and wish that it wasn't sold out but like so many goodies on the Fabric Mart site, they don't last long!  The fabric is really thin and unraveled easily- in truth it was a lot harder to work with than I'd anticipated- so I had to use a careful and measured touch  and lots of stay stitching when cutting and sewing so as not to stretch it out of shape.

If you are looking for voile for a top Fabric Mart has a growing selection.  I am especially drawn to this incredible border print voile.  In fact I'm really tempted that some of it might jump into my shopping cart!!

The pattern is Butterick 5526 and is a great basic button down shirt for your pattern stash.  I've made the view with the princess seams in the past and had a better fit with that version.  Although it is hard to pass up this view because there are only 5 pattern pieces for this top.

The top turned out a smidge fitted for my taste- that's what happens when you refuse to muslin, and when there are tons of Girl Scout cookies in the house- but I know I'll still get some good wear out of it this spring.  It is so very light weight that when the Georgia temperatures start to climb I'll be ready for it. 

Now I feel that I would be remiss if I didn't tell you about these black magical ponte pants.  They are the ultimate lazy sewing persons solution to needing semi dressy and comfortable pants.  They are deceptively simple.  They are a two seam pant, meaning that they have an inner leg seam and one continuous crotch seam.  They were so quick to sew that its criminal, I didn't even hem the bottom and they have an elasticized waist.  I always receive compliments when I wear them, but even if I didn't I'd wear them anyway because of the comfort level.  This particular pair was made up in a precut from Fabric Mart purchased last year, but any nice, quality ponte would work.  I hate to trumpet this pattern too much because its now out of print (aahh whatttt?) but its a Palmer/Pletsch for McCalls, number 6571.

So there, now I've whet your appetite for an oop pattern, sorry I guess! Just ignore me and focus on spring top sewing. 

So, I wonder how your spring, or fall sewing is going where you live?  Do you have the urge to sew new pieces for the upcoming season even before that season is in full swing?  I hope that wherever you are and whatever you are busy sewing you are enjoying the process and having fun.

Thanks for reading!

Elizabeth

I Sew, You Sew