We’ve got the dressmaking bug again! The sun is suddenly shining so we need new summer clothes. Immediately! Fortunately, I’ve been adding to my pattern collections and we have a ready stash of fabric to hand. This simple top in cotton lawn was the first off the production line…

It’s just two pattern pieces, the shoulder extends to make a cap sleeve  and is so quick and easy to sew. It’s from this separates collection by New Look, pattern number 6217 and has a size range of 10-22.

This version is sewn with one of our own digital print fabrics – a lovely weight cotton lawn which is just perfect for summer wear. This fabric has no stretch at all, so it was necessary to stick to the pattern instructions and leave an opening at the top neck with a simple button and loop closure.

The neck edge is finished with a narrow neat binding.

We lengthened the pattern slightly and left side vents for easy wear.

For version two we cut the pattern just the same, but substituted the woven cotton lawn for a cotton jersey. It doesn’t have much stretch, but drapes well and makes a great T-shirt.

The latest version, which is hot off the ironing board this morning, is this red version. I should say, these jersey fabrics are from the Rag Market in Birmingham. We can’t remember what we paid, but it would likely have been somewhere between 50p and £4 per metre. With some joining on the neck binding we’ve found we can get a top out of a metre so that’s a bit of a bargain.

We reckoned that with a bit of stretch from the jersey fabric, I could probably get the top on without the neck fastening, so this final version is sewn up at the back neck completely and pulls on just like a regular T-shirt so it’s even easier to sew!

I’m sure this’ll become a stand-by pattern for us. It’s a doddle to sew and in fine cotton lawn or fine jersey also makes a great layering piece for cooler days.

Bye for now,

Laura

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