Navy Top – Simplicity 1366

I wasn't planning to make this top this week but it fits so perfectly with my Summer in the City moodboard that I couldn't resist. Thankfully it was very easy to make up and I was able to use fabric from my stash. I love the simple design of this top. It's similar to an RTW top  I have from that I wear all the time, so I know I'll be able to wear it a lot.

The pattern is Simplicity 1366 by Cynthia Rowley. The pattern includes this top, a bias cut camisole and a super cool high-low skirt in two lengths. I'm planning to make the camisole and the skirt so this pattern is a great deal! I also love that the photo for this pattern looks like evening wear but it's separates. Very unusual and super chic.

The top is very easy to sew together. I think it would be a good project even for a beginner. I did my usual adjustments to the pattern cutting a size 12 for the back side seams and a size 14 for the front. For the armholes, I cut  a size 12. Basically, I need more room in the front than in the back so I just use the larger size for the front only. This is my tricky way of doing an FBA, but probably not standard and it won't work for everyone. Here's a great link if you have a more challenging pattern and need to make an FBA. 

The fabric is a medium (to heavy) weight linen or linen blend. I can't recall where I picked it up but it's quite nice. It was probably a remnant as I had just enough to make this top. If I were going to make it again, I would lengthen the body just a touch. If I stand in a certain way, this because belly baring! I'm tall so most people probably won't have to make it longer. I'd also love to try out a high-low hem on this and a cuffed sleeve. How cool would that be?

I'm very happy with this top and will probably make it again. A simple shape in a neutral color is so easy to wear I'm sure I'll get a lot of use out of it. Here, I'm wearing it with my Colette Iris shorts, a DIY necklace from Darby Smart (more on that later) and flat sandals from Lands' End. Have you bought this pattern? What do you think? Is this the kind of top you would wear?

Beth – Sew DIY

In this morning’s newsletter, I mentioned feeling sad about this week’s election results in the US. It was a pretty brief and honestly weak statement. I received a reply saying “you don’t need to share your political views&rdq
Are looking for a fun and easy Halloween project? 🎃 Last year, I created a tutorial for this tote with contrast handles, with cute ghost and bat embroideries. 🧵 I used a thrifted curtain for the body of the bag and fat quarters for the handles. Th
✂️ 1 Sewing Pattern 👉 2 Denim Skirts 💙 for 2 seasons This month I’m featuring my Nita Wrap Skirt pattern and I wanted to show two different ways to make and wear this skirt. This wrap skirt is fitted at the waist with darts and features a d
Do you like to make your garments look as beautiful on the inside as they do on the outside? It’s a simple yet super satisfying way to make your everyday clothes feel special. So, today, I have Five Luxury Seam Finishes to share with you. 🧵
Happy October! 🍁 This month's featured pattern is the Nita Wrap Skirt, a fitted skirt for woven fabrics with a dramatic angled front. The pattern includes three lengths and three closure options. The design features waist darts, a built in front fac
This weekend on my Substack Sewing With Numbers, I posted the second and final tutorial for how to draft a Funnel Neck Pullover. 🥳 The design is inspired by the classic L.L.Bean fleece pullover. In part one, we drafted the body and sleeves. And in
Cart (0)