Category: summer sewing

Summertime Top with McCall’s 7360

I’ve been wardrobe building with tops recently, specifically woven tops. The latest is made with McCall’s 7360.

I used this using View A. It’s basically a Henley top made from woven fabric rather than knit. It’s got some nice variations as well so this could be used in most seasons.

 

 

The alterations for making this involved what has become a standard for me lately – the FBA. For this top I would recommend using a soft cotton or cotton blend. You definitely don’t want any fabric that’s too stiff since you want to garment to be comfortable and move with you. As I said above, this is basically a woven Henley top, so keep that in mind.

This is pretty straight-forward and easy to make. I’m wondering, and might try this another time, if this could be made from a stable (or mostly stable) knit. I have used other patterns that weren’t made for knit patterns and done that and actually liked the results better!

Top 3 – Classic Polka Dots

As you know, I spent the last two weeks of April making tops, specifically using woven (not knit) fabric. The last one that I made during that time period was using Simplicity 8602.

I made View A. Because the shirt is a little bit cropped in length, I added about 2″ to the length of the top. I also made this using a FBA (full bust adjustment). I have started doing these more often and I find that I’m getting a better fit. I had been just going up a pattern size but I was never very happy with the overall fit of the garment. So now, I’m back to using a smaller size, but including the FBA.

Simplicity 8602

I like this with the longer length and I LOVE the look of the polka dots, especially for summer. The jeans I’m wearing in the pictures are a previous make. These are the Closet Case Patterns “Morgan” boyfriend jeans ( that post is here).

The material used is rayon challis, which is perfect for something like this. It is lightweight but with enough body for the garment to flow. This particular one I bought from fabric.com. This is a quick and easy make with different sleeve options.

I’m very happy with this and would definitely say that this is a great summer top pattern with options that will give you a lot of use.

That’s all for now. I have one more top that I’m currently working on and then I’ll be on to other projects.

 

Here is the fabric I used: *affiliate links

 

red & white challis

 

 

 

 

But there are many other options (solids, prints, floral, etc.) fabric.com

A White Hot Tank From Hot Patterns!

I made this “tank” from a cotton eyelet material that’s pretty lightweight. I put tank in quotes because it’s not what you would typically think of as a tank top. This pattern is for woven material so it’s an interesting take on that style of top. There are variations on the bottom of the tank so for this, I chose the flounce.

Now the problem is that because the fabric is thin combined with the way the top is constructed, I did not like the look of having a partial facing showing through the front and back.

So, rather than take it apart and start over, I just extended the facings.

I did this for both front and back which solved the problem. I might add that this wouldn’t be necessary with a heavier (not see-thru) fabric. I also raised the neckline on this (as I usually do).

But this is a comfortable, versatile top that can be worn into early Fall depending on your fabric choice (and location). In the pictures above I’m wearing the top with these jeans I made a few months ago (best jeans ever!).

That’s all for now.

Enjoy!