The Gaïa top by Iam Patterns has been on my "to do" list for a long time. My friend Céline made one in a pretty viscose with a hydrangea pattern from the shop... and with the return of the sun, I gave in! 

Without hesitation, I needed my version. For the occasion, I chose an American Michaël Miller poplin from the shop, with pretty bright pink and yellow tones that had caught my eye for a while. A perfect combination in my opinion for a summer top!

The Gaïa pattern

The Gaïa top (which can be turned into a dress by lengthening the bottom) is a sleeveless top with a pretty V-neckline. Its detail that makes all the difference and gives it elegance lies in the ties that gather the fabric under the shoulders.

With a simple construction, this little top is very versatile and can be easily worn with a skirt or jeans depending on the fabric choice... In short, it's a piece that can be worn every day. So it's a pretty good basic model for your pattern library!

The recommended sewing level is simple/easy. It is therefore accessible to motivated beginners. 

The sizes offered range from 34 to 46 in printed pattern. That's what I used because I hate assembling PDF pattern sheets and printing often ends up costing me more. So, I always buy the printed version when it exists. In PDF version, Gaïa is available from 34 to 52. 

Seam allowances are included in the pattern. 

In the seamstress's basket

To sew Gaïa, you will need:

• light fabric: a cotton poplin or viscose, a cotton satin, a cotton lawn, ... a fine and light fabric
• 1.5 m of pre-folded bias tape 20mm wide 
• 2 cm wide ribbon to make a tie if you don’t want to make your own from a fabric scrap or if you want to add a touch of originality with a gold, braided, or glittery ribbon...
• some matching thread

Gaïa uses very little fabric. By choosing to sew a size 34, I was able to fit the back and front in the same fabric width which was 110cm wide. Indeed, for my version, I chose a bright pink floral American fabric from the Michaël Miller brand. The standard fabric width in the USA is 110cm, so I was a bit worried I’d have to double the fabric requirement... phew, it fits! I only needed 80cm of fabric for this version. 

I think for size 36, you can also cut the two pieces facing each other in a 110cm wide fabric. For larger sizes, you’ll need two lengths or choose a 140cm wide fabric. 

The technical points

Gaïa is rated as easy level and it’s true that the technical points are quite accessible. Still, we note:

• the making of the strap tightening ties which requires careful attention
  
• the making of the neckline point with clipping that requires precision to create a nice point at the neckline
• the placement of the facing
• the application of the invisible bias on the armhole
• the bottom hem. 

So it’s a great pattern to learn sewing techniques applied in many clothing patterns. I think I’ll offer it to my students eager to learn garment techniques because it’s a little gem for learning before moving on to assembling invisible zippers...

I'm really happy with my little light and colorful top. I'll definitely make more because with the little fabric it uses, it’s a great way to use up my fabric scraps. 

By the way, I've already cut the next one from scraps and I have plenty of other ideas to make myself new pretty tops for the summer. 

And you, do you like sewing summer tops? What are your favorite patterns?

 Get your needles ready!