Sunny Top – Pattern Tour

The lovely Veronica from sewVery has released her latest pattern and I’m thrilled to be a part of the tour. 

The Sunny Dress and Top has a sweet little shape with a tie back and an optional collar.  I really love the simplicity of the non collared option, but I decided to use the collar to feature some more of the lattice smocking that I love so well.

Before cutting out the collar piece I used a chunky grid to make a larger more casual looking lattice smock on a piece of the fabric.  When I had completed enough to cover the neckline of the top I cut out a rectangle around the smocking, making sure that I had enough to fold the fabric along the bottom of the smocking and sew the sides closed so that the raw edges would only be at the neckline and be covered by the bias strip at the top.

I sewed everything according to the pattern and when I came to the steps for the neckline the only change I made was not to gather the top edge.  I just pinned everything well and made sure it lined up nicely. And speaking of the pattern, I have to pause for a minute to say how well written I think this pattern is.  There are very detailed pictures – some with illustrations on top of real pictures to highlight – for all the steps so this would make a terrific beginner pattern.  I have full confidence that Veronica’s tutorial is thorough enough for anyone to make this dress or top.

Now on to the back.  I have to say…. I’m not always a fan of ties that actually tie.  They seem to get in the way or irritate or if at the shoulder they come undone too easily, BUT these ties are so nicely contained with loops at the bottom of the back that we had no issues with anything coming loose or tickling her neck or anything.  It is just an adorable looking style and I’m so happy with the cross back look.  There is the option to not cross the straps first as well if that’s more your style.

The Sunny Dress and Top is available at 20% off during this pattern tour (August 11-17) by using the code SUNNY20 and there’s a chance to win a copy of the pattern by following the instructions in the rafflecopter giveaway below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
And here is what the rest of the tour looks like: