You may notice a theme in today’s post and that is most of my tops with sleeves have sleeve drama. With the exception of one woven tank top and a woven blazer, every other project I have to show you has gorgeous sleeves and some kind of unique detail that I adore. Let’s get started, and at the end, share with me which pattern or which detail is your favorite.

Friday Pattern Co. Sagebrush Top

The Sagebrush top by Friday Pattern Company has the quintessential puff sleeves. These sleeves are short, end right above my elbow, and are gathered at the top and finished with elastic in the bottom hem. Above the bust is a ruffle that is such a cute detail and adds interest to the top.

The back is closed with a tie that is made from the bias used to bind the neckline. I prefer not having a button back closure and like the yoke with a tie how it is done here.

The Sagebrush has a roomy fit and is comfortable to wear.

I used a rayon challis from The Styled Magnolia for this one. I have also made this pattern in a linen/cotton blend before (you can see that post here). If you want fuller sleeves, you will want a crisper and more structured fabric. I wanted to have more drape in the body and not as full sleeves for this top, so rayon challis was perfect.

Itch to Stitch Lemont

The next woven fabric project I have to show you is a puff sleeve pattern designed to make broad shoulders not look so wide. The Itch to Stitch Lemont pattern is so figure flattering and has the most gorgeous sleeves and genius construction. If you have been hesitating to try out a puff sleeve top because you don’t want to add any width to your shoulders, you will want to try this pattern. 

The secret is the way the sleeves are set in. It is a dolman style short sleeve with gathering at the top of the sleeve and the cuff. The cuff does not have elastic and is a piece of binding.

There are princess seams in the bodice and the side of the top are part of the sleeve, so you still only have three main pieces to cut out (a front, back, and sleeve) with one piece for neck binding and another small piece for the sleeve binding.

My light purple/lilac top is a cotton voile curtain that I found at Target many years ago and saved to use for testing out new patterns. My test version ended up fitting perfect without needing alteration, so I am glad I used this pretty curtain for my top! I love finding inexpensive fabric for test garments.

My second top I made using the Lemont pattern is made in a cotton gingham from Minerva. This is the emerald colorway with a 1/4 check pattern. The fabric base is cotton and this one has a soft hand and works really well for garment sewing.

I love how this pattern worked so well for this fabric. I really did not have to match plaids since the side bodice is in a bias direction.

This pattern has a higher neckline but still does not require closures because you can pull it over your head. The hem ends right above my high hip, so if you are taller, you will want to add length. I love tops this length because I find it so flattering on my petite legs.

The green color is perfect for Spring. I have more of this fabric left over and made a sundress out of it. My dress is still waiting on buttons, but I will share it with you when I finish it!

I love how well this one turned out! You can find my initial posts on my green Lemont here and here.

McCall’s 7969

I rarely sew McCall’s patterns, but I have sewn 2 so far this spring! The first one – McCall’s 7969 – is now a FREE pattern that is offered by Minerva when you sign up for their newsletter. Unfortunately, I bought it before it was free, but it was worth it because I ADORE this dress! I also love that McCall’s patterns can now be purchased as PDF files.

This dress is flowy and has tons of ease and is the most comfortable dress I have ever worn. The sleeves are really big as well, but I think they are so nice to wear. I really don’t feel swallowed by this dress, and that is always my fear when wearing dresses that are oversized. This pattern is definitely a fabric hog!

The fabric is a delightful rayon challis with this wild print. I LOVE it! You can find my posts on it here and here when I initially posted what I made on the Minerva site.

McCall’s 7899

The next McCall’s pattern that I tried is all about the sleeves. McCall’s 7899 is one I am so glad I tried!

I ADORE these sleeves. This is a raglan pattern with pleats that are so perfectly placed along the top of the sleeve. The bottom is gathered with elastic in the hem. There is also a non-pleated version if you want to save time and a sleeveless version as well, but I just HAD to make these sleeves first.

The back has a button closure, but I sewed it down instead of using a button because my hair always gets caught on buttons back there, and I noticed I could put the top on without needing to open it up. 

You can read more about this top and the fabric I used on my posts here and here.

Vivian Chao Laurence Top

I finally have a pattern without sleeve drama that I made this Spring. This sleeveless crop top is the Vivian Chao Laurence Top. It is the PERFECT scrap buster for woven fabrics. This is an organic cotton and does not have the same drape and soft hand like the emerald check I showed you earlier. It is definitely more structured. 

You can find my posts with more details on this project here.

Tudor Wrap Blouse and Fawn Skirt

I also used the same gingham to make a Stitch Witch Patterns Tudor Wrap Blouse and a Common Stitch Fawn skirt. 

The Tudor Wrap blouse has a square neckline and puff sleeves that have elastic in the top of the sleeve and in the sleeve hem. The pattern includes the option for a button up front with a solid back or a wrap front or a wrap back. This is the option with the solid front and the wrap back. I feel like the ties on this pattern are not quite long enough to wrap around the front and tie in the back, but they are too long to tie only in the front. I am going to have to play with it more to find the most comfortable and cutest way to tie. The rest of the fit, though is absolutely awesome!

I ran out of fabric on my Fawn Skirt to do the third tier, so I hemmed the second one and have a shorter skirt. I think it works great in this fabric and looks just as good!

I AM Artemis Jacket

Last, but definitely not least, I made this linen blazer at the beginning of spring using the I AM Patterns Artemis Jacket pattern, and I have worn it so much! I used a heavier weight linen/cotton blend for my jacket, and it was such a great choice for the look I was going for!

The sleeves are grown onto the body, meaning there is no sleeve/armscye seam. The pockets are big and genius in their construction. I left off the button in the pattern on the collar. Whoops! Do you think I should go back and add it?

I did the option in the pattern for lining it, but I did not like how it was finished so I used the construction method for a lot of coats that I have made – two examples are the Greenstyle Molly Coat and the Papercut Nova Coat. If you want a pretty lining finish, I suggest you do the same! Here are my insides:

I pieced together a few quilting cottons I had in my stash that blended well with the tones of the front. The top I am wearing under my jacket is a Greenstyle cami (you can read a post on that pattern here).

I initially posted the details about sewing this jacket here and here.

I hope I have inspired you in today’s post!  I would love to stay connected with you. You can find me on Instagram. You can subscribe to my YouTube channel HERE. If you want to take a look into the things that inspire me, you can follow me on Pinterest. You may also follow my blog with Bloglovin.

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