Tops to Sew

Tops to Sew

 Tops to Sew

How to sew tops - Learn how to sew your own clothes with these free shirt patterns. You'll love wearing DIY tees and other tops you sewed with your own two hands.



Top 10 summer shirt, blouse and tunic sewing patterns


***You can find lots more Top 10 for Tuesday lists by clicking on the tab up there above the hedgerow image.***  Thanks for stopping by and let me know if there’s a Top 10 list you’d love to see.

Kid’s Clothes Week is now a distant memory, the sun is shining (some days), and I feel it’s finally time to start thinking about summer clothes for me!!  After making this Banksia top and this Lisette Portfolio top for Rae’s Spring Top Sewalong, I realised a couple of things.  First, although much more time-consuming (and potentially disastrous), sewing for me offers its own set of fun challenges.  And, second, I’ve found that I wear these two tops all. the. time!  It’s so nice having something that’s not a t-shirt but just as easy to throw on while trying to wrestle three kids into school clothes and get them out the door.

With this is mind, I’m determined to make time to sew some more tops for myself.  Here is my top 10.  Realistically, I’ll be happy if I manage to sew two or three of these but I love them all in their own way.
10.  Renfrew Top (Sewaholic)

I have yet to sew from a Sewaholic pattern but I’ve been reading rave reviews in the blogosphere for years.  Not being a huge fan of sewing with knits (every time feels like the first time and I’m pretty darn sick of that beginner feeling by now), I was a bit hesitant to add this to the list.  However, when I read Ginger’s full-on gushing about this pattern on True Bias’s Tried and True Series I was convinced I should give it a go.

Image from gingermakes.wordpress.com via truebias.com
9.  Scout Woven tee (Grainline Studio)

A woven (as opposed to knit) tee – that’s more my style!  This t-shirt just seems like a dream come true.  What a quick and easy way to show off some great fabric!  I was a bit concerned about it being a bit shapeless (there aren’t even any darts) but, yet again, some other talented, snazzy bloggers have put my mind to rest.  This definitely makes the top 10.

image from http://stitchingontheedge.blogspot.be/2013/01/polka-dot-scout-tee_15.html

And how cute is the teeny, tiny pocket on this one that Dixie made!?

image from Dixie DIY
8.  Airelle Top (Deer and Doe)

I’ve been drooling over this pattern for a while now in my local sewing shop (yes, my local – as in a 2 minute walk – shop sells this!  How cool is that!?).

image from http://boutique.deer-and-doe.fr/1-sewing-pattern-airelle-blouse.html

Vero made this great top and also gives a wonderfully detailed description of the process on her blog.

image from http://www.couturestuff.com/airelle-dragibus-blouse-deerdoe/

And I just love this version from the Deer and Doe website.

image from http://boutique.deer-and-doe.fr/1-sewing-pattern-airelle-blouse.html

I particularly love the back yoke with piping.

image from http://boutique.deer-and-doe.fr/1-sewing-pattern-airelle-blouse.html

PS.  If it weren’t for my aversion to wearing sleeveless tops, I would have also included this Datura blouse, also from Deer and Doe.  This cut-out neckline is fanstastic!

image from http://www.flickr.com/photos/alldaylongidreamofsewing/8652043794/in/pool-springtops2013/
7.  Mathilde Top (Tilly and the Buttons)

I find Tilly so charming and likeable (not that I know her – but if I met her I’m sure we’d be BFFs!!).  As a contestant on The Great British Sewing Bee she shined as an innovator in home sewing.  This is one (if not the) first pattern she drafted for sale.  There are lots of possibilities for personalisation with this top and, much to my liking, lots of opportunities for piping.

image from http://www.tillyandthebuttons.com/p/how-to-make-mathilde-blouse.html

image from http://didyoumakethat.wordpress.com/2013/02/16/the-mathilde-blouse-perfection/
6.  Burda blouse 3/2012


image from http://sabali-couture.fr/chemisier-a-pois-au-bronze-et-au-marteau/

After doing some research I found the original – which I hardly recognised as the same top!

I love the collar, the gathered neckline, the addition of piping, the navy fabric, the stud closures – I love it all!

image from http://sabali-couture.fr/chemisier-a-pois-au-bronze-et-au-marteau/
5.  Laurel top, tunic or dress (Colette)

The Laurel pattern has been everywhere in recent months.  At first I wasn’t so sure it was for me – would it be boxy and/or unflattering? – but so many talented sewing bloggers can’t be wrong!  It seems like it’s a winner!!

I love Anna’s white, wintery version.

image from http://www.noodle-head.com/2013/03/laurel-dress.html

And why not try some colour-blocking??

And this one just made me laugh…oh, it’s getting late, I’m getting giddy, let’s move on. 🙂

image from http://gingermakes.wordpress.com/2013/04/30/colette-laurel-or-the-jurassic-park-twinsies-geeky-awesomeness-dress/

PS – When you buy the pattern you also get a free downloadable ebooklet on 9 different variations you can make to personalise your top even further.

image from http://backstitchblog.blogspot.be/2013/03/its-new-colette-laurel.html
4.  High Low Top (Melly Sews)

I’ve only recently discovered Melly Sews (through a very helpful suggestion by one of you readers 🙂 ).  It’s a great place to go for instruction, inspiration and a ton of free patterns and tutorials.  There are many that I’ll be trying out.  This High and Low Top immediately caught my eye.  And, did I mention it’s a free, downloadable pattern with full instructions?!

image from http://mellysews.com/2013/02/high-low-shirt-tutorial-pattern.html
3.  Simplicity 1779

Number three is a strange choice.  There is something about this top that’s a little like the Airelle blouse and I think it has the potential to be light and fun.  I can’t find much out there from others that have sewn it so I’ll just have to leave you with this coolio Simplicity pic!

2.  Laelia blouse (Blousette Rose)

I love this blouse.  I even have the pattern in a child version for my daughter (although haven’t sewn either version yet).  Cute collar?  Check.  Piping?  Check.  Slightly puffed sleeves?  Check?

If you don’t know Blousette Rose then check them out.  They have beautiful patterns for women and girls.

Here’s a lovely checked version Anna made – you can read about it on her blog.

image from http://paunnet.blogspot.it/2013/03/plaid-laelia-blouse.html
1.  Negroni man’s shirt (Colette)

And finally, let’s not forget the men in our lives (Father’s Day is just around the corner).  I’m still not quite sure I have the confidence to take on this challenge but I’m getting dangerously close (watch out, Stephen!).



Florence from Flossie Teacakes made this stunning Liberty print version.

image from http://flossieteacakes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/negroni-best-not-frozen.html

***UPDATE*** – I know (as of April 2014) have made a Negroni….and it was really fun!!  The only problem is that it’s waaaay too big!  Grrr!!  So I haven’t blogged about it yet.  I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the process and how professional it looks.

Finally, before I fall asleep as I type, I just wanted to say a quick word to all you lovely readers.  I absolutely LOVE all the comments you guys leave here!  I can’t believe I’ve made so many connections with so many of you so quickly (this blog went ‘live’ on 26 February this year).  The whole process of planning something, sewing, photographing and blogging is utterly addictive.  Thanks to you all for coming along for the ride!

So, tell me!  What have you sewn from this list?  Which ones would you recommend?   I’m thinking that the Laelia blouse or the Airelle top will be my first sew.  I’d love to hear your experiences.

Thanks for reading,

Laura x

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open tutorial sew  : http://www.behind-the-hedgerow.com/2013/05/15/top-10-summer-shirt-blouse-and-tunic-sewing-patterns/