I’ve made this new top! rather cute and feminine with a sweet little tie front at the waist. Yes, it’s linen, it’s plain, and it’s white. I just can’t help it, I’m a diehard white or off-white top kind of a girl… I’ve got stacks of them and keep on piling new ones in t the ol’ wardrobe because I never have quite the right one, and always feel like I could use just a few more, in different styles and fabrics. Also; white fabrics; honestly, sign me up for the Addicted t
o White Fabric club, asap! Every time I sort through my fabric stash I say to my husband and to Cassie; please, DO NOT let me buy white fabric, ever again!!! I think I have enough to last me a lifetime of sewing nothing but white or at least off-white or ivory or just plain pale clothing for myself… and yet,when making something I find I never have that just-right type and find it necessary to head out to the fabric store to search for it…. aaaagh! I’m going to the fabric store later today, just to buy elastic and am steeling myself to Stay Away from the fabric area… *giving myself a stern talking to*
This particular fabric is fine-grade handkerchief linen; a long term resident from my stash thank goodness. Provenance long forgotten, ahem.
The pattern; so, recently I was contacted by Jen, of Jennifer Lauren Handmade, who asked me to review her latest pattern the Hunter tank top, and this is it! Cute, non? I reckon so. Mine is view 2, with the skinnier shoulders.
It’s a simple and rather classic design, with that front tie feature to distinguish itself; all cut on the bias and with centre front and back seams because there is a bit of shaping in it. I LOVE the teeny little breast pocket on it! so very cute! not that I’ll ever be putting anything in it but it’s a sweet decorative touch; which I reckon a plain white tank top NEEDS.
I followed the instructions, which are very thorough btw; and aimed at someone who knows how to sew but is still relatively new to making clothes. I did the French seams and flat-felled seams where indicated throughout, and one of those super skinny hems at the bottom that look really nice in linen, made by stitching three times. So, it’s rather beautifully finished. That’s something else about very plain and basic items; they really should be finished well in order to stay the distance. I took my time and made sure I did, even to the point of unpicking several bits and doing them over.
you could probably wear it untied too, looks kinda dramatic
Thoughts; it’s a lovely classic design with very good bones, and a lovely fit and drape, thanks to the bias cut and subtle shaping through the centre seams. I think the design does need fabric that has a bit of “grab” to it for that tie to stay tied up. My linen does, but it does tend to loosen over time too, so I think in a soft, slinky, slippery fabric like crepe de chine the tie might slip out pretty quick if you didn’t anchor it somehow.
It is quite short, designed to sit at the natural waist, so is very nice to wear with a high-waisted skirt or jeans. I have a few things that fit the bill, so yay! I’m also planning to make it lengthened a bit by next summer and without the tie-feature, to wear with some of my more low-slung things as well. Actually, lengthened possibly even to dress length! while making this one I was already hatching plans for a tank dress using this pattern… mwahaha.
NOT a white one!
Details:
Top. the Hunter tank top by Jennifer Lauren Handmade, white linen
Skirt; Vogue 2894, red floral cotton, lined with purple cotton, details here
Shoes; made by me, details here
So you have made another beautiful little white blouse. I loveow neatly you have sewn it. In combination with this colourful floral skirt it is looking so good! 🙂
Very pretty top, and the lines are still very nice untied.
Love, love, love this top!!!
thank you Rianna! 🙂
love it ! so girly !
thank you! It is very girly, I agree!
So chic!!! And it’s so practical and versatile.
You really can’t have too many white blouses! This one is so cute! Love the tie front.
Wonderful! the little tie in front is such a good idea. Perfect for skirt, short and maxi. I keep saying I don’t need more patterns (or white fabric!) but this is very tempting.
what a lovely design and lovely top you made … yay to good bones – those are not so easy to find!
Very cute. Looks so crisp and clean. https://ladysewstheblues.blogspot.co.uk/
I like this a lot! You could also wear it tied a bit looser so the back doesn’t bunch up for a different look.
What a lovely little top! I love how beautifully you finished it.
So sweet and Sooooo useful. I love it. Jo x
Very nice. Fits you well and looks great with the skirt!
thank you! 🙂
I love this so much, fabulous as alwasy
Oh my! I absolutely love this top and the whole outfit. But most of all I’m in awe of your amazing sewing skills. So gorgeous!
It’s lovely! Simple and eye-catching at the same time 🙂
I wish I could catch the white fabric bug myself — I always opt for black. White makes me worry I will spill things on myself all the time and, really, instantly get covered in all sorts of possible stains. How can I cure myself? And not joking now — how do you take care of your white clothes?
I love this top – even untied it’s adorable. That fabric! wow it’s lovely 🙂 I laughed reading how you always gravitate to white when it’s the ONLY colour I think I don’t have around but when I see how lovely this linen is in white I think I should make it a point to get more. I think white is actually very flattering – fresh and cool for summer. Your finishes are divine as always Caroline. I hope Jenn is planning to release THIS top in paper! Love her patterns but hate PDF 🙂
I want it! So adorable. I can’t wait to see your long version. The skirt is a perfect complement to it.
Ooh, I really like this. And man, i love linen! Nothing better than a white linen tank in summer. I’m definitely a diehard white top fan, too.
Very pretty blouse! The entire outfit looks amazing.
It’s lovely. Would look super cool in a stripe with the CF seam all nicely chevronned!
Well, it’s nice to know I’m not the only white top/material addict. But it does go with everything! Nice pattern too, I’ve been looking for a plain linen-friendly top pattern – I’d like sleeves but it doesn’t look like they’d be hard to put on.
Beautiful job as usual, your attention to detail really does show.
thank you so much Mel! 🙂
I need this kind of top in my wardrobe to go with all my high waisted skirts. Great top Carolyn!!!
Beautiful top Carolyn. Sweet and simple – you can never have too many little white tops.
White tops are very handy and this one is extra special. It pairs beautifully with your gorgeous skirt too.
Looks fabulous. You are an amazing sewer.
Very pretty. Very feminine. I’m with you – one can never have enough little white tops for summer.
Very elegant top! It looks so amazing with the floral skirt.
I love this whole outfit! It looks fabulous with that skirt. I agree that plain things need fine craftsmanship… actually I’m trying to do that for all my things now and am loving the results.
Ha, I have tested this pattern, but haven’t blogged about that yet. To be honest I wasn’t that pleased with how it turned out. But once again, after seeing your version I’m thinking about giving this pattern another try. Feels like this happened a lot in the past times. You show something you’ve made from a pattern that I didn’t love and afterwards I wanted to give it a try! You’re genius and every designer can consider himself lucky to have you review his pattern.
I really like this top! Those ties would be super at camouflaging a belly, I think…. (hard to say, as you have none to camouflage… 😉
I rarely wear white as I am a mess magnet, but you do make it look so chic and appealing.
Beautiful! Having white means you can happily dye fabrics.
thank you! and yes, that’s very true. Dyeing is fun and can bring a whole second life to things in the wardrobe that have become a bit tired 🙂
Ok, that does it! I’ve gotta make one now, I’m having serious envy here! Well done!
Perfect little top for that gorgeous skirt! Sort of reminds me of some of the tops that were worn back in the 1970’s that I so loved back then. And never, never can one have too much white in their closet! 🙂
Simple but perfect. I love a good white top in summer and this looks great in linen. Nice!
Looking lovely! White is such a good colour on you, why shouldn’t you have all the tops and blouses (and skirts and trousers and whatnot). 🙂