Tag Archives: sewing therapy pattern

Arles Top

There was some sewing that I completed without documenting before my trip so I thought I would go back and catch up with some of it. The Arles Top by Sewing Therapy was one of those items and I’m so grateful for this lovely top in the hot humid weather of Vietnam. 

The Arles Top is a relaxed top with dolman sleeves. It has a yoke and soft gathers which allows for a billowy, generous fit. It also has a collar option which I didn’t have enough fabric for this time, but I love the round collar featured with this top. There is a cute tie front which adds to the casual holiday vibes of this shirt. It has the option for elasticised back bodice which I’m glad I added because it gave the top a tucked in look without needing to tuck in extra layers.

The top is drafted for wovens and suits lightweight fabric. I found my fabric at Spotlight and was persuaded by the lovely shop assistant to get this rainbow coloured check fabric. I love how my cotton is lightweight but has some soft structure. The colourful check fabric was also fun to sew and wear. I have needed a colour boost in my wardrobe. 

As usual, Sara has the best instructional videos to sew along with. The printed instructions are also excellent for someone who is a bit more experienced with the basics but with the video, it would be fine for a beginner too. 

I kept to my usual Sewing Therapy sizing of L with my measurements of 38-inch bust, 33-inch waist. I lengthened the top for my own preference, but I found the pattern true to size. I lengthened by 3 inches which was comfortable for me, but my tie didn’t sit in quite the right spot. I want to make the top again with this length but with a collar and without the tie and elastic option next time. It’s great when a pattern is so versatile and easy to customise. In the pattern, Sara says that the pattern is compatible with the Roma Top collar which would be another great way to hack the top.

Wearing the Arles Top, I would say this is the most comfortable shirt style top I’ve ever made. I love dolman sleeves. Dolman sleeves are drafted as a continuous piece attached to the bodice, so it does need a wider width of fabric but so worth it because it makes for such a comfortable shirt to wear. I used this top to protect my shoulders in the hot sun when I was travelling. I’m so glad to add this lovely breezy top to my handmade wardrobe.

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!

X Em

Rectangle Top

When I bought this pattern, I didn’t expect to be making such a playful, elegant blouse just from two pieces of rectangles. I’ve been using Sewing Therapy patterns for a while now and have come to expect reliable, beautiful patterns from Sara who is the creative behind Sewing Therapy Patterns. This blouse really exceeded all expectations. I’ve made the View A, but I can see myself making View B and C as well soon. 

Best of all, Sara drafted this top to use up remnants. For this top, I used some remnant polka dotted rayon. It was something I bought from East Coast Textiles which is sadly no longer trading. I chose the rayon because of the fluid drape of the fabric which suits the shirring. I like how Sara has a table setting out detailed instructions on how to choose the right fabric. I would have loved this when I first started sewing because fabric choice only improves with experience and I use to agonise over it, sadly sometimes making a mistake. 

Rayon Fabric

For the Size L, I used less than 1 meter of fabric. I chose the L from my bust measurement of 38 inches. It’s a very beginner friendly pattern for sizing because there is such a range and ease in the pattern. I really love how the shape is given by stitching and shirring. Speaking of shirring, I had almost forgotten how to do it. Sara does explain it very well in the pattern, but I find that my machine is always the exception when it comes to these things. I tested on a scrap piece of fabric, but it didn’t work. I found that for my machine, I had to wind the shirring elastic onto the bobbin with a bit of tension, and I had to turn up my machine tension. I also followed the instructions in increasing my stitch length. The main thing is to test before starting on the real piece.

Sewing Therapy Instructions always come with YouTube videos which are wonderfully high quality. This time, Sara has included beautiful hand drawn illustrations with her written instructions which are so useful too. I watch Sewing Therapy videos for general relaxation anyway. It’s the perfect Sunday afternoon reset activity.

Sewing Therapy Rectangle Top

I have some remnant linen which I will be using up with my next rectangle blouse. This project was a quick sew which is great when time or energy is short. It’s also a good project for those last minute makes when you have an event you need something for. Overall, a fun few hours of sewing!

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!

X Em