Pattern Review: Laurel Top [Colette Patterns]

Pattern: Laurel by Colette Patterns, pullover top version
Fabric: Swiss dot from Mood Fabrics
Size: 2 graded out to a 6

Jeans: Levi’s
Earrings: Francesca’s
Sunnies: Tommy Hilfiger
Nails: Essie “Play Date”

My first wearable “practice” garment!  In preparation for sewing the dress version of the new Colette Laurel pattern, I pulled out some Swiss dot I bought at Mood several summers ago in NYC and thought, if the fit worked out,  it would make a cute top to wear for Easter.  I love this pattern!  My fabric is all washed and ready to go to make the dress and I can’t wait to see how the fabrics come together (I’m layering eyelet over silk habotai).

These pictures were taken after eating Easter dinner, so please excuse the wrinkles from sitting! 😉

Unlike a lot of pullover tops, this one has a good amount of shaping.  I cut a 2 for the bust, graded to a 4 at the waist, and then a 6 at the hips, but I probably should have cut the bust as a 4 since it’s snug to pull on and off over my head.  Or, in the next version, I could do a cool exposed zipper in the center back seam.  Other than that, I didn’t need to do any other fitting – even the bust darts were spot-on perfect, didn’t need to move them up like I usually do.  The back waist darts add a nice amount of shaping as well that keeps the back from poofing out.  At no time did I feel like I was wearing a blousey maternity top!

The bias tape finishing for the neckline and sleeve hem was a nice, neat touch.  Being the lazy sewist I am, I opted to sew the bias tape in place with my machine instead of my hand.  I will probably hand sew my dress since it’s going to be made out of special fabric.

The reason I held on to this fabric for so long in my stash is because, as you can see in the picture, it’s really sheer (and wrinkly!).  I felt like if I made a dress with it, it would look like I was wearing a nightgown, plus I’d have to line it – no fun.  This top is really fast to make but took me a little longer since I French seamed alllll of my seams, even the sleeve seams.  I think I’m addicted to French seaming, it makes everything look so clean and tidy inside, plus it’s perfect for sheer and lightweight fabrics.  The hem is a teeny tiny narrow hem I machine stitched using this tutorial from Jen at Grainline.

That’s pretty much it!  It was in the mid 50’s in Boston on Easter and this top was perfect for the early spring weather.  If you’re looking for a no-brainer, instant gratification project, the Laurel top is a great garment.