Ruffle Sleeve Top by In the Folds
This top started with the fabric. After seeing New Craft House share a studio sale on Instagram last year, I decided it was finally time to make my way up to London Fields to pay them a visit. It was there that I saw this pretty gingham (along with another fabric that is still in my stash) and decided I had to have it! I just love New Craft House and have been meaning to enrol in their bodice fitting masterclass - it’s such a pity that I didn’t manage to do it before lockdown, we really had no idea how good we had it before COVID-19. That aside, New Craft House is still selling plenty of gorgeous fabrics online to keep sewing addicts busy.
The fabric sat in my stash for a few months while I was busy filling my summer weekends with activities and going back and forth over whether I should make a simple dress or a top. After doing some pattern research, I came across this perfect pattern from In the Folds, which is offered for free on the Peppermint Magazine website. The Ruffle Sleeve Top is both pretty and comfortable - perfect for the warmer weather on its way. It doesn’t have any fastenings so as far as technique goes, it’s a relatively simple top to make. It does, however, have a lining, which adds a little bit of time to the process.
The only mistake I made was to not adjust the bust darts. Technically, I should make a small bust adjustment on everything with bust darts but I have a habit of being lazy and can’t stand the idea of wasting time on a toile. Of course, as soon as I attached the front and back pieces and pulled it over my head, I realised the darts were far too low. Instead of unpicking them, I took my dart avoidance to the next level by taking in the shoulder seams further and then increasing the depth of the neckline and armholes (I hadn’t yet attached the lining to sleeves). I really wouldn’t recommend this but it did more or less work. I have since made a marking on the pattern to ensure I increase the height of the dart next time.
Attaching the sleeves
Despite my lousy pattern adjustment, I think this top has worked out really well and will easily become a much-loved summer staple. I really love the fact that it has French seams. I don’t have an overlocker so French seams really prolong the life of my makes - and make the inside look so nice and tidy!
