Esther’s Gilbert Top
With the pale blue double gauze in January’s Mini Box, Esther made a sleeveless Helen’s Closet Gilbert Top.
The mini box always gets my creative juices flowing because it really forces me to think about what I can make with the amount of fabric in the box.
When I received this month’s box and saw the fabric, I immediately knew what I wanted to make. The Gilbert top by Helen’s Closet has been one I had one wanted to make since it was released. I love everyone’s makes on Instagram and I really wanted one.
As usual, I pre-washed my fabric and pressed it. This is my third time sewing with double gauze so I was confident about handling the fabric. The fabric was beautiful to handle, very easy to press, cut and sew. Looking at the fabric requirements of the Gilbert top, I knew I wouldn’t be able to make the top as is out of the fabric I had so I decided to leave off the sleeves. I made the view A without the front ties. I used one of the fat quarters I had received from a previous box for the back yoke which gives a nice surprise inside the top. I didn’t make any adjustments to this pattern as it’s quite a relaxed fit.
This top was quite an easy sew, I enjoyed the burrito method which meant a clean finish around the back yoke and collar of the shirt. I decided to keep this clean finish and finish my side seams using French seams. I didn’t need my overlocker for this pattern which made things a little bit faster. As I was undecided whether I was going to make the top sleeveless or add sleeves using some organza fabric, I didn’t make any adjustments to the armholes prior to cutting the fabric. This was not smart because when I decided to leave the top sleeveless, I realised the armholes were a bit too big.
The pattern calls for 3 buttons on the view A but since I wasn’t having a tie, I decided to add more buttons. I couldn’t decide on whether to add 4 or 5 but in the end, I went with 5. I didn’t use the buttonhole guide that came in the pattern because I prefer to put a buttonhole at the fullest point of my bust and use my expanding seam gauge to determine where the other buttonholes should go. This helps prevent gaping as I have a larger bust.
The pattern and fabric were a perfect match. I can’t wait for the weather to warm up so I can wear it as is but for now, I know I can wear it with layers.