After my top 10 dresses, I had to also make you the top 10 of my favorite tops and blouses for summer! I’ve sewn quite a few and there are some I love to wear when the mercury rises... so tempted by this discovery?
It’s right here!
1. The Elo top from Dress Your Body
One of my favorite models is the Elo top from Dress Your Body. It is loose, light, and very easy to make! Plus, it can be made in many fabrics: woven or knit! So it’s perfect for reusing your pattern as much as you want! The cut is original and perfect for the warm season.
It’s a top that covers the shoulders while remaining light. I find it very elegant.
In its knit version, the top is finished with a neckline band.
In its woven version, the neckline is finished with a bias binding. It is possible to make a vertical topstitch (optional) to close or not the top under the arm.
I made it in cotton crepe and I would love to make a version in openwork knit or lace.
Find all the patterns by Christine from Dress Your Body in PDF and printed versions here.
Elo is available from size 34 to 50.
If you want to read or reread the full article about Elo, it's here.
2. Zélie from Clématisse Pattern
This spring I made two versions of the pretty Zélie blouse from Clématisse Pattern.
Zélie is a sewing pattern designed for those who love casual elegance and bohemian style.
Its pointed chest yokes beautifully shape the silhouette while its loose volume and delicate gathers give it all its lightness.
Its neckline is split and nicely tied, giving it a refined and romantic touch. It is also possible to sew it as a dress version, in which case a wide ruffle finishes the look with lightness.
For collars, 3 versions with very different styles:
– a first one, with a collar stand that adds elegance to the neckline
– a 2nd, with a deeply romantic ruffled collar
– a 3rd version, without collar to free the neck and a cleaner style
For the sleeves, 3 lengths:
- short,
- three-quarter length
- long.
All are finished with an elastic inserted in the bottom hem of the sleeve (which I did not do because I don’t like to feel tight). All these versions can be mixed infinitely as a dress or blouse
A soft and fluid fabric will be ideal to highlight its airy volume and gathers, a plain or printed fabric according to your wishes. Highlight the pretty cuts by playing with transparency on the yokes with pretty lace or by opposing the direction of stripes for a graphic effect!
A matching or contrasting piping (optional) will add a unique and refined touch to your creation!
For my part, I chose to sew my versions in embroidered fabrics: denim and broderie anglaise.
I find them really super comfortable and if you have some "leftover" fabrics a bit more precious like scraps of embroidered fabrics, Liberty fabrics... the yoke is perfect for using them.
Find all the Patterns from Clématisse Pattern in printed and PDF versions here.
Zélie is available from size 34 to size 48.
If you want to find the full article on Zélie, it is here.
3. The Chagall blouse "les patronnes"
I really fell for the beautiful emphasis on the waist of the Chagall dress by the brand Les Patronnes.
I had sewn it in the long-sleeve version but nothing stops you from shortening the sleeves for summer!
And then, in the long-sleeve version, it can really be a beautiful outfit for a night out at a restaurant.
The Chagall dress or blouse is a very simple and quick sewing pattern! Plus, you can sew it as a top or dress, with long or three-quarter sleeves. Its clean shape, without zippers or buttons, features a pretty neckline and delicate sleeves.
4. The Salto top by Maison Fauve
Some time ago Céline and Marie-Hélène made a colorful duo with the Salto top by Maison Fauve, a true basic top for summer but with elegance!
Salto is a top with wide curved straps, featuring a straight silhouette ending at the hips.
Its front can be in one piece or have a button placket.
To enhance its cut, the front(s) and back feature small gathers that give just the right amount of volume for the bust and ease at the back.
I find that this model suits my two sidekicks very well, who can't stop wearing it in the shop!
Plus, Salto allows you to recover quite a few scraps by playing with contrasts between straps and body.
Long live recycling!
5. The Nina blouse by Nine Patterns
Every time I wear my blouses Nina by Nine patterns I get asked "which model is that? It's so cute!"... So Nina is a small blouse perfect for spring/summer. It's a very feminine, delicate model with a romantic touch… The special feature of this blouse is its small puffed sleeves that are tied and lined. This allows you to play between the right side and the wrong side with 2 different patterned fabrics to create color effects.
For the front closure, you can choose between 2 types of fastenings: ties or buttonholes.
I also really like reusing my scraps to make my sleeve linings again; it allows for two-tone ties.
Nina can be sewn in poplin, gingham, Japanese fabrics, linen, linen viscose...
Nina is available in printed and PDF versions from size 34 to 50.
6. The top 5005 by DP Studio
I recently got to test the DP Studio brand, whose pretty models with a couture spirit I had been admiring with envy.
I fell for top 5005 because despite its apparent simplicity, the sewing details it holds completely charmed me.
Small stitched pleats on each shoulder and turn-ups at the armholes for a structured top with a 90s vibe.
I find the shoulders incredible!
We will wear it with slim pants or baggier ones for a stylish look, but I also see it well paired with a pencil skirt! It comes in two versions with a wide neckline, more boat style, or with a high knitted collar to have fun with!
I made it from one of our joly coupon in denim that I love.
Find all DP studio patterns in PDF version here
And if you want to read or reread the full article, it's here
7. The Festival blouse by Nerida Hansen
The Festival blouse by Nerida is a relatively simple but very effective model!
Indeed, it has bust clips to create a nice volume and a V-neck collar just the way I like it (not too much, not too little). Its little touch comes from wide sleeves but especially from the pleat play on the sleeve cap which I find successful and very original.
The proposed finishes are interesting because they include a facing for the sleeve cuffs as well as bias tape for the collar. I find this model a good basic and it allows you to discover new finishing techniques, especially if you are not used to sewing clothes.
It is a blouse suitable for beginners in sewing.
Find this model in printed format here.
Céline and I are hooked! I must say it is super comfortable and perfect to pair with Japanese fabrics!
The Festival blouse graded from 34 to 46 and you can find the full article on this sewing project here.
8. The My Girl t-shirt by Sewing Soon
Moving on to jersey and knits with one of my best discoveries this year the MY GIRL t-shirt by sewing Soon!
My girl is a multi-option t-shirt pattern.
With its 3 basic versions and options, you can sew t-shirts all year round, for different uses and varied looks. Whatever options you choose, MY GIRL has a fitted cut, but not tight: just the right ease for comfort with a relatively "close to the body" fit.
In terms of length, it falls between the hips and pelvis, so it can be worn both over or "tucked" into the accompanying bottom.
I really like it and my favorite is the wrap cut.
We made several versions at the workshop with our students and the cowl neck version is also splendid!
It makes me want to make other versions!
My girl is available from size 34 to 50 and in PDF on our site.
9. The Summer Sun top by Mimoï
A few weeks ago Marie, Céline, and I enthusiastically launched into making our versions of Summer Sun with variety!
It must be said that Summer Sun is a multiversion pattern!
Easy and quick to sew, with its 3 different collars and 3 shoulder styles to adapt into a t-shirt or a long or short dress, the Summer Sun sewing pattern will accompany you all summer!
With the Summer Sun sewing pattern you have the choice between:
- Three necklines: Round, V, and flared
- Three shoulder styles: elasticated shoulders with 2 elastics slipped into channels, you can choose the length of the elastic to have a more or less covered shoulder; tied shoulders with 2 ties to knot slipped into the channels; simple shoulders
- Three lengths: tee-shirt, short dress, and long dress with slits on both sides or just one side, your choice!
We love our three versions even though I’m a bit jealous of Céline’s gorgeous dress made from one of our cotton jerseys from last year’s collection!
Summer Sun is available in sizes 32 to 50 and in PDF version on our site.
10. The Marion tee-shirt from L'atelier des premières
The Marion tee-shirt is both simple and sophisticated with its beautiful back neckline!
Indeed, the pattern is simple because it consists of only 4 pieces: a front, a back, the sleeve, and a neckline band. And at the same time sophisticated because all the magic is in the details: the bare back (bra compatible) and the gathered sleeves.
I find that these details give it all its originality and a certain sensuality. I also really like this model because it can easily be paired with skirts, shorts, denim, high-waisted pants... in short, it’s quite versatile depending on the combinations you create. Marion is a tee-shirt, so you need to use a jersey or knit to sew it.
Marion can also be sewn in a viscose jersey, cotton jersey, an openwork knit, a slightly thick ribbed knit, a pointelle... All jersey and knit compositions are recommended as long as they have at least 15% elasticity.
Marion is a fitted tee-shirt available in sizes 34 to 50.
Find Marion here and the full article is here.
And which top do you want the most?
Are you more woven or knits for the summer?
And in any case, you have a choice of patterns here.
And all that's left to do!
Get your needles ready!
