Flutter Sleeve Top

07.12.18

Handmade

I can hardly begin to articulate how excited I am to have sewn this top. When I first started sewing, it was mostly out of creative curiosity. I never really thought I would be able to sew garments that easily look like something I would love to purchase in a store. In fact, I figured I would stay away from sewing garments for myself because I didn’t want them to look obviously handmade.

Fast forward to a little over a year ago when I cut myself off from fast fashion, specifically my major addiction to J.Crew. I saw a top nearly identical to this in one of their emails and instead of buying it, I felt determined that I would figure out how to make it myself.

I spent months mulling over the best approach to create exactly what I envisioned, and finally I came across the pattern for the Farrah top. I knew this was the answer. I already had the fabric in my stash bought specifically with this sort of top in mind. I spent a good amount of time hesitating with nervousness over stripe matching but finally decided it was time to just jump in and give it a try.

I am completely smitten with the final product. Sewn in this blue and white stretch cotton shirting, it is an ideal top for me to wear in both professional and social settings. I know this is a pattern I’ll be turning to again and again, and I’m already dreaming about what fabric to sew it in next time. What fabric would you use for this beautiful top?

Scroll down for a pattern link, fit notes, and a gallery with more images.

The Details

PATTERN
Farrah Top by Chalk and Notch
FABRIC
Stretch cotton shirting (no longer available)

My Notes

Fit

I sewed a size 6 and this fits me nicely with just the right amount of ease. I think using a fabric with at least a tiny bit of stretch is helpful so that it fits comfortably. I worry that using a non-stretch fabric would necessitate a size 8 and would look baggy overall.

I must admit I was nervous about how this would fit me. I didn’t want it to be too baggy or too long. I considered making a full bust adjustment but ultimately decided against it. Thankfully despite my relative bustiness, it was not needed. I did remove 2-3 inches of length from the bottom of my top, and did this once the top was partially sewn so that I could try it on and determine the best length for my body. Ultimately, I am really happy with the fit of the finished garment and it is what I would hope for if I had purchased this in a store.

Pattern

This pattern is beautifully done, with clear instructions, guiding tips for best fit, and use of nice finishing techniques. I especially love the subtle gather in the back of the top, as well as the mitered corners at the bottom slits. I have never made mitered corners before but thankfully the instructions were clear and I really love the finished result.

Difficulty

This pattern is best suited to an intermediate sewist. While I would not recommend it to a complete beginner, it includes skills to be gained and refined for those with a bit of experience. I was pleasantly surprised that this came together more quickly than I anticipated, being made from start to finish in a few hours working at a relaxed pace.