My First Top Drape Top From The Great British Sewing Bee

I say it was my first, at least in November it was. Previous attempts at clothes making of any kind usually ended in failure - the kind that gets stuffed in a bag in the back of the closet, never to be seen again. I have made loads of curtains, cushions and even a couple of bags, but had failed miserably at sewing clothes.

That all changed when I bought Sew Magazine that came with a free pattern.... 

The pattern was this one:

You can get the pattern here: Poncho Blouse

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All the books say to press and press and press, and it gets a bit boring - BUT! It really does make a huge difference. The seams sit straighter, the fabric lays flat where seams meet and it really does make it easier to line things up if they are all pressed.

Here is a picture of it finished :

I can't remember where I bought the fabric, but it is poplin. A very easy fabric for a beginner, like me. I am hoping, like cotton bedding, it will soften with use.

I am seriously considering making one of the other views from this pattern in a pastel colour - something I can wear with wide trousers. It looks like the upcoming 2021 fashion colours will be pastel colours. I had a peep at the catwalk fashions. The lovely thing about pastel, you can find one to suit your skin tone. If pink doesn't suit you, maybe yellow or blue will.

I really like how easy it is to create neat hems and gathers with poplin.

This is what it looks like. 

Here is another top I made. This one was from The Great British Sewing Bee, Sew Your Own Wardrobe.

I ended up making two of these. The first one I made straight from the book and it was too short and too small. 

I took some measurements from the small top and from myself and I made this one that you can see. I learned my lesson. Always measure and check some important dimensions.

The pattern said vaguely that it fits most, but it does not.

 The other patterns in the book all appear to be based on standard blocks or slopers. If you have the patience, this is lovely for summer and well worth the extra faff. The neck piece detailing works really well and I made it in challis. A lovely fabric for this. 

I bought the fabric at my local fabric shop in High Wycombe. A and M Textiles.

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