Easy & Cool Summer Top

Since I love wearing cotton woven tops during the summer, I was intrigued when I saw Butterick 6215. 

When Butterick's were on sale at Joann Fabrics, I picked it up.

                

The most important way to insure a successful project is to pick the right fabric and this time I did.  

I sewed it from a soft, light-weight cotton print that's perfect for this top.

What do I like about this pattern?

It's quick and easy to make - no buttonholes.

It's cool and comfortable to wear

And the fit is good - a V-neck that's not loo low cut.

The only change I made was to the length of the back.  I didn't like the extreme hi-low hemline. 

So, I shortened it a couple inches.

        

 I wasn't sure about it, but now that I've worn it, I really do like it.

Black & White Dots Top

I've finished another top.

I used Vogue 9057 and made view B.   With a few changes I got the loose tunic type top that I wanted.  First, I lengthened it by 2 inches.  Then I added fullness through the waist and hips by moving the center of the pattern away from the fold of the fabric.  And, obviously, I shortened the sleeves.  I really like how it turned out.

 Vogue 9057

 

The black and white dot fabric is a light weight ITY that's perfect for summer tops. It's very soft and was easy to work with.  I don't remember where I got it, but I bought 4 yards.  This top only took 1 yard, so I still have a lot of it left.

The black fabric that I used for the sleeves is a thin poly knit from Joann's. I also used it for the neckband. This is the method I used for the neck: cut a strip 2 inches wide and fold it in half; attach it to the neck and then serge the seam; then fold the seam down and top stitch.

I like the contrast of the black sleeves and neckband with the print fabric.  I also like the rounded shape of the hem.

Sheer Top

Sometimes the simplest things turn out to be the best.  Like this top:
 

The fabric is a sheer black and silver that I got at Joann's.  I paid $5.25 a yard and only used 1 yard.  I made narrow bias binding from a light-weight silvery/gray fabric I had in my stash, and used it to finish the neck, sleeves and hem.

 

I wear it with a black cami underneath.  It's nice and cool on these hot summer days.

I didn't have a pattern for what I wanted, so I altered Vogue 8880. I removed the waistline seam and the neckline darts.

 
I like how it turned out.  It's comfortable and fun and I get compliments whenever I wear it.

Sleeveless Knit Top & Mesh Jacket

Butterick 5925 was the starting point for this top. I've used this pattern a couple times before and really like it.  I make a size medium and the fit is good with only minor alterations. 

 
 This time, I left off the pockets and made it sleeveless.




This was one of those projects that just happened as I went along.  When I started, I didn't have a clear idea of what this top would be. The print fabric was left over from a maxi skirt project, and I used it to cut the front and then added the black band across the bottom.  I initially thought I would use the black fabric for the back, but didn't have enough of it, so I used it as the side pieces.  I also bound the neckline and armholes with strips of the black knit.

t can be cool in the office, so I wanted a little something to  wear over sleeveless tops.

I had 1-1/2 yards of this mesh-like fabric that I bought the fabric at Joann Fabrics.

I started with an oop pattern for a simple jacket and then made a few changes to get the shape I wanted.

I wore the set to work and it was very comfortable.