Give me mustard fabric plus a dolman top with a twist, and I am one happy girl. I am new to Designer Stitch patterns so I was excited to try out my first pattern from them, and I was even more excited when I saw that it was a fun dolman top. My friend Aimee has been telling me how much she loves testing for Ann Grose, the designer behind Designer Stitch, so I had to see what all the hype was about.
Today’s post is going to be all about Designer Stitch’s newest release, the Gemma top, and I have some sweet photos of Aimee and I together. Be forewarned, though, it had rained for about 4 days straight when we took these photos. Add wind into this equation, and my hair was absolutely uncooperative and crazy.
The Gemma Twist Tops Pattern
The Gemma pattern contains two different top patterns: a twist front and a twist back. I made the twist front for testing. The twist front has a two piece back and a clever twist right in the middle of the bottom front. The neckline uses binding to finish it, and it is low enough for me to pull down to nurse in. The twist back has a sweeping v in the back and a tie to keep the top on your shoulders. Both tops have a large batwing dolman sleeves that is very comfortable.
Sizing
I made a size 2 based on my measurements. The top fits busts that measure 32 to 52 inches, waist 23.5 to 43.5 inches, and hips from 34 to 54 inches. I made no adjustments to the pattern. The pattern calls for 1 and 1/8 yard of fabric for my size. I was able to squeeze my top out of a yard because of the 2 piece back and having a non-directional print. I cut one back piece going the other direction so that I could fit it all in.
This pattern was a rather quick sew and I loved the results. The neckline is a very soft V that does not require the traditional focus and skill that a traditional v-neck does. I think this pattern is very beginner friendly and that the instructions were very thorough. It is a perfect pattern for those who are knew to sewing knit fabric. I think the binding was really quick to do on the neckline. The pattern recommends hand stitching your twist together on more slippery fabric so that it does not come apart. I used double brushed poly and found my twist wanted to slide apart so I safety pinned it down until I had the time to hand stitch it down.
Resources
Pattern: Gemma Twist Top
Fabric: A double brushed polyester from Wherehouse Fabrics Dallas.
Now, for the fun part. I love when I get to do pattern tests with Aimee. It usually means we get to take photos together and laugh and crack each other up. I have to try really hard to focus and make sure we both end up with decent pictures. I also have a hard time being quiet long enough and being serious. She made a Gemma in the same view as I did out of the coolest gem fabric.
I love my friend Aimee. My serger broke last weekend. I absolutely cried. I don’t even know what happened to it, but it just did not go. I had a birthday party to go to that afternoon so I ran by a local shop on the way to see if there was a simple fix or if their repairman was available. He had left for a 2 week vacation the day before. The other repair place that was a bit further was not open until Tuesday. I frantically messaged Aimee, and she let me borrow one of her back up sergers. I mean. Who does that?!? So, my serger is in the shop, and let us all pray it is an easy fix. In the mean time, I don’t quite know how to express just how grateful I am for Aimee!!
Here we are trying our hardest to listen to Ann’s instructions to look sexy. I think I love the smiles even more!
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