Unexpected hero
Do you like a back story? I’m rather fond of reading how things came about, so I thought I would share with you how my latest long sleeved jersey top came into being.
One of my jobs at The Cloth Shop is the ordering of the independent patterns. We stock patterns from The Assembly Line, Pattern Fantastique and StyleArc. StyleArc’s office is located in the neighbouring suburb from my house, so I pick-up our box of patterns when our order is ready. I love chatting to the StyleArc team, seeing what they are working on, and taking pattern recommendations from them.
One recent recommendation was the for the Debra Zebra Top… an older pattern that hadn’t caught my eye before.
Can I tell you, it’s a total winner. There are just three pattern pieces… and the funnel neck is incorporated into the Front and Back pattern pieces so there is no fiddly neckband to wrangle. Happy days!
I firstly whipped up a sample in ITY jersey for work (did I mention it was a quick sew?) in a size 12.
The things I learnt from the sample were:
- This pattern definitely requires a drapey jersey
- I needed to size down and shortened both the sleeve and body length
- If you have a big head, forgo the overlocking on the neck edge, just leave it raw
For the version entering my wardrobe, I went with a viscose jersey that matches my Nova Coat perfectly.
Construction was on the overlocker, hems were secured on my coverstitch machine, and I used my sewing machine to tack the funnel neck in place.
I’ve already worn this top numerous times and I have fabric aside for two more!
Long sleeve tees/tops are a current wardrobe gap for me and this pattern is going to help me close that gap.
Pattern: StyleArc’s Debra Zebra Knit Top
Size: 10
Fabric: Viscose jersey [sold out] from The Cloth Shop
Alterations: I removed 1″ (2.5cm) from the length of the arms and 2″ from the length of the body.
Outfit: Jeans from Levi, green boots from Florsheim (years ago) and scarf from Scarlet Jones
Photo Location: Daylesford
This looks like a winner! Thanks for bringing the pattern to my attention. Lovely color on you, and I love that coat! I have purple Melton to make a Nova coat. Your makes are always right on target for what my wardrobe needs, and very inspiring.😊
I have fabric aside to make two more of these tops when time permits. We are deep in winter here so coats are definitely required. A purple nova coat sounds lovely.
I’m just about to make a few similar tops, only my pattern is the Burda top with cowl stitched on. The tops are so versatile especially in the winter. Love the colour of yours.
I have some fabric aside for two more of these tops. Just need some time to cut them out and sew them up! I don’t like to be cold, so really like a funnel neck or skivvy in winter.