I was a pattern tester for the Greenstyle Cambria top over the last several weeks. For today’s post, I have 4 tops to show you while I chat all about the pattern and sewing it.

The Pattern

1. Sleeves. For length, choose from short, 3/4, or long sleeves. For style, choose from gathered top and gathered bottom puff sleeve, pleated top and gathered bottom puff sleeve, and regular top with gathered bottom bell sleeves. There also is an option for a tall cuff!
2. Neckline. Choose from mock neck, high crew, low crew, or wide low scoop.
3. Body length. Choose from high hip with regular hem (this one is kind of cropped length), high hip with a band, regular length, long length, or banded regular length. 
4. Body style. Choose from an oversized loose body to a relaxed fit body that is a little slimmer. 

The Fabric 

You want to use a knit fabric with a minimum of 40% stretch both ways. The fabric you choose will greatly effect the fit and look of your top. A drapy rayon spandex will seem to fit bigger, drape more fluidly over your body, and not have as dramatic of a sleeve. A cotton lycra or more stable fabric will have more dramatic sleeves. If a fabric is too structured, though, your body will look bigger. 

Bamboo Cotton Lycra

I used a bamboo cotton lycra fabric from The Fabric Fairy for this first top, and it is a perfect fabric for the sleeves. It is lush and has a wonderfully soft drape for the body so it doesn’t make me look too frumpy. 

I used the banded hemline on this one (it is in the middle of the three hem cut lines). I hemmed it instead because it ends up being the perfect length for a regular top on my shorter self. 

This fabric is so comfortable to wear and soft that I immediately ordered it again in two more colors – black and a shaded spruce. This particular one I am wearing now is the tawney port. It reminds me of a really soft and thick cotton lycra. You could use it for a dress or it makes a lovely winter top for the mild winters we have in the south. The bamboo is what adds the softness and nicer drape.

I used the “slimmer” cut line on the pattern on this red top. It is not a fitted top but not as oversized when using this cutline. 

Also, do you see my me-made jeans?! I made these last fall and still get lots of wear out of them. I blogged about those here. 

Double Brushed Polyester (DBP)

I also really love DBP for the Cambria. It has such a soft feel, is stable enough for the sleeves, and drapes nicely over the body. 

I used the high hip cutline with the high hip band on this one. I also cut the body at the slimmer line. 

This DBP is from Knitpop, and I love how inexpensive their solids are!

I used the lower crew neckline on this. I think that and the mock are my two favorite in the pattern. 

This one made it into my family photos this year!

Cotton Lycra and Jersey

The next one I made for myself is with the 3/4 sleeve cut line using a light jersey fabric I found at the Dallas Fabric District on a remnant table. I also made my oldest daughter one using a cotton lycra from Made Whimsy. 

On both of these I used the looser body and the high hip cutline without a band. I love the boxy feel to the crop! It also lands at such a great spot to wear with a higher waisted pant. 

My daughter is 11 and is just on the size chart for the Greenstyle at a size B. She is sooo excited with her first puffy sleeved top! I am at the top of my size C, and she is almost as big as me. She has already started wearing some of her favorites in my closet!

I LOVE how cotton lycra holds the shape of the sleeves so well! It is so dramatic and beautiful. 

Sewing Experience

I would consider this top suitable for most sewing skill levels. You need to be comfortable with sewing knit fabric, attaching neckbands, and gathering. You technically can get away with not hemming anything since the sleeves are cuffed and there is a band option on the body. I think the more advanced part of the pattern is the pleats if you have not done pleats before. 

Everything matched really well for me on the final pattern. I still haven’t made the low scoop neckline because I am not very busty so I fear that it will be way too low on me. 

Style-wise this top is perfect to pair with jeans but I also have worn it around with my leggings and it is giving me all the 80s vibes. An oversized sweater with leggings always reminds me of my childhood! 

I have already finished a fifth top but didn’t get photos of it in time for this post. I DID take time to film it though so I can show you the pleats. If we have enough interest, that will be our next sew along. 

What fabric will you use for your first Cambria? 

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.

Resources

• Cambria pattern – it is on sale for a week too!
• My red top is the Fabric Fairy Tawney Port Bamboo Cotton Lycra Fabric. This color is sold out but you can find other colors in this same base here 
• Knitpop Double Brushed Poly
• Mint Cotton Lycra

*Disclosures

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small compensation when you purchase via my link. This does not cost you anything, and I genuinely appreciate the support. Any and all opinions expressed are still my own.

The photos that are taken by a professional photographer (the ones with the better editing haha!) are from Sarah Avitua Photography. The rest are taken by my husband, my oldest daughter, or me!

XO