#LadyMSews || Lou Box Top

This top is the result of a pattern test that I did for Beth at Sew DIY. I saw her put a call out for pattern testers on Instagram along with a teaser pic of the cutest little top, I knew that it was going to be such a fun make so I immediately contacted her. Plus, I’m kind of a sucker for boxy tops… Aren’t we all?

The top is as simple as its name, a little box top with no more than five seams that was super easy to cut and sew. I of course complicated things for myself by using a super drapey and super soft silk. You can see the results of these complications in my wonky curved hem – still getting used to sewing with the good stuff.

One of the coolest things about this pattern is that it has several mix and match variations to choose from. Beth has drafted the pattern and written the instructions to easily adapt to being sewn in either a woven or a knit. There are also multiple necklines and hemlines from which you can choose, and the pattern is made so that you can switch back-and-forth easily depending on which variation combo you want to make. It’s a very unique way of pattern drafting, and I don’t think I’ve seen anyone really do it like this before… Go Beth!

I chose the curved hem and the scoop neck for my pattern test.  When made up in a woven, the instructions call for you to leave a slit in the center back with a button loop closure at the back neck. When I was cutting mine out I noticed that my head could easily fit through the scoop neck line, so I decided to omit this feature. If I would’ve thought of this before I was cutting, I could have omitted the whole center back seam … Making it an even quicker sew!  I of course had to add a pocket, which I cut from a cute little floral silk from my scrap stash that happened to match my body fabric perfectly.

I chose French seams because well, they look pretty. Also I’m challenging myself to really take time to make the insides of my garments look just as good as the outsides.  Since I chose french seams, the hem was even more challenging as I had to figure out how to easily transition from the cuved hem into the sideseam. The instructions call for a little split at the sideseam, but I could not acquire this with my French seams so I chose to omit that as well.

Overall, I’m super happy with this top.  I definitely plan on experimenting with the different variations and making many more in the future.  Also it was my first time sewing with this fabric – it’s been in my stash for a while and it’s so dreamy! I’ll be wearing this one a lot!  Not sure when she will be officially releasing this one – I’d follow her on instagram if you want to keep yourself posted.