Our 4 versions of the Belle Épine top from Maison Fauve

Céline gave in first... and then the rest of us followed 😂!

You know that moment when you say, “That top is lovely, what pattern is it?” And that’s it — you’re trapped, you have to sew it!

Marie gave in next, then Ségolène, and finally I did too... given the temperatures, it was exactly what we needed.

Come along on our sewing adventure with the Belle Épine top by Maison Fauve!

Here we go for a colourful quartet!

The pattern

Belle Épine is a charming little bohemian top with a very summery feel.

Delicate and very feminine, it stands out thanks to the darts radiating over the bust, the V-neckline at the front and back — cut so that a bra can still be worn — the pretty tie straps and the shaped, gathered flounce.

The pattern is fully lined, with the under-top constructed using classic bust darts. An unlined version is also possible thanks to neckline facings. It is a perfect companion for hot summer days and can be made in several versions: with or without the flounce, with or without lining, so you can reinterpret it again and again.

This sewing pattern is very easy to make and has lovely finishes. In short... irresistible, just as we told you!

Information for sewing this pattern

Belle Épine is suitable from beginner level, so if you have only just started sewing, don’t worry — go for it! If you are more experienced, it makes a lovely quick project with original details, especially the darts meeting at the centre front, which are a distinctive feature of this design.

Belle Épine is available from size 34 to 52.

Seam allowances are included in the pattern (1 cm).
The pattern pieces do not overlap.

A video tutorial is included, as well as an illustrated step-by-step booklet.

In the sewing basket

Belle Épine is designed for woven fabrics such as cotton poplin, cotton satin, cotton voile, broderie anglaise, double gauze, cotton lawn, viscose, Tencel, linen-viscose, seersucker... there are plenty of options!

You will need:
- Fabric, based on a 140 cm width:
Outer top with flounce: sizes 34–42: 100 cm, 44–50: 110 cm, 52: 120 cm
Outer top without flounce: sizes 34–36: 65 cm, 38–44: 80 cm, 46–50: 100 cm, 52: 115 cm
Under-top: sizes 34–48: 60 cm, 50: 80 cm, 52: 100 cm
- 35 cm of fusible interfacing or straight-grain stay tape
- matching thread

Our supplies, choices and experiences

Eugénie:
I made my top in size 34. I chose the straight version without the flounce and made no alterations. I used Renoncules viscose satin in pink tones and a white cotton voile to line it.

Céline:
I made two versions: one in Japanese cotton poplin, the other in pink gingham double gauze.
For the poplin version, I made size 38 in the simplest version. As it was slightly too large, I added a small dart at centre front and another at centre back.
For the double-gauze version, I made the version with the flounce. I kept size 38 but removed 1 cm at centre front and 1 cm at centre back. It is still a little large, but that does not bother me.

I cut the flounce on the bias so that the checks would run in another direction and finished it with a rolled hem. I did not encounter any particular difficulty. I really like the fact that the French seams are already built into the pattern. As usual with little tops, it is a quick and enjoyable project.

Ségolène:
I made my Belle Épine in this beautiful Japanese cotton, bright and colourful, called Nora. I made size 40, but I find it a little large; next time I will make size 38. The only change I made was to lengthen the straps by 10 cm so that I had enough length to tie bows on my shoulders. Belle Épine is a really lovely pattern, very quick to sew and perfect for the current temperatures!

Marie:
When Céline told me her next project was “Belle Épine” by Maison Fauve, I immediately jumped at the chance to sew it too. I love the fresh, light and airy feel of the pattern — perfect for my next holidays in Italia!

Because the pattern has plenty of positive ease and I did not want it too loose either, I cut size 36 from a very old remnant in my stash.

Belle Épine is great fun to sew. It is quick to make and gives the romantic result I love. It is a rewarding project for a beginner who wants to work on precision: the version I chose has four bust darts arranged in a very original way at centre front, and they need to line up precisely with the seam line for a really neat finish.

It is also a good opportunity to discover facings, straps and those lovely French seams — and a little linguistic wink: did you know that what we call a “couture anglaise” in French is called a “French seam” in English?

Because I wanted it a little longer and as light as possible, I did not sew a classic hem. Instead, I passed the edge under the overlocker foot to create a narrow, tight rolled hem.

I love this little top and I have already cut a second one in raspberry broderie anglaise!