I could not help myself but to buy the first issue of the new sewing magasine that was launched in October: Sew Now. The first issue came with a SimpleSew Patterns pattern called Zoe dress and top. As soon as I saw the drawings for Zoe, I had an idea of how to add a twist to it to make it more fun and emphasise the centre line in the front. I’ve done a tutorial for this which will soon be published on my blog and on the SimpleSewblog ,if you like what I did with my tops and want to copy the idea but don’t know where to start.

This top is not fitted so I chose to size down to get it to sit closer to my body. To tie in with the centre front insert I decided to use some scrap fabric to make the facings and the sleeve cuffs. For both tops I used fabric I purchased from the now famous, my local Abakhan.

This is a super easy make. I did not use the instructions and I have enough experience to make it. Glancing at the instructions and diagrams I feel that a beginner would have no problems making the top. However if you feel that you need more advice, please check the SimpleSewblog the have a  tutorial on how to construct it with more details. 

For the black top  is used a wool mix for the main fabric Christmas cotton for the contrast fabric. This was actually my test to adding the twist. I was so happy with it that I decided to create a tutorial for those who would not know where to start.   As well as sizing down I have lengthened the bodice by 5cm and only used a hem allowance of 1.5cm. This is because I felt the top was a bit to short and I like more tummy coverage.    For my second top I used some linen fabric and cotton scrap. It went together pretty fast. For someone with some experience the top is done in a couple of hours. For this I added a few stitches by hand in the bust area for a different look. I also used yellow thread to topstitch the neck line and the hem.

Do you make small changes like this to your patterns? What do you do? Please share your tricks as I’d like to get some more ideas and I am sure you are bursting with them.