Gemma’s Moselle Top
I didn’t intend for this month to be Barbie inspired (who am I kidding, I totally was hoping it would!) but by happy coincidence the fabric this month was perfect for it!
I really welcomed the change of having a ‘plain’ fabric, as it really allows you to make a great wardrobe staple, and I could add my own spin to whatever it was that I would decide to make.
A gorgeous pink stonewashed cotton, it was just what I needed to create something gorgeous for the upcoming movie release, although only having 1m would prove tricky for deciding what to make. I knew I wanted to create a top, ideally with some kind of ruffle or frill, and it just so happened that I then spotted someone on Instagram wearing a top that I hadn’t come across before despite being a big fan of her patterns – the Moselle Top by Nina Lee. It was exactly what I was after: simple, ruffle-y, able to fit to my 1m of fabric and with scope for customisation!
Available as either a dress or top, it features a large off the shoulder ruffle, and is designed as a summer capsule piece. I went with the waist length top and with only 2 main pattern pieces I had no trouble cutting it out with my 1m. Along with Nina’s excellent instructions, I had this top whipped up in an afternoon!
Working with this fabric was so easy, the texture not only looks great but allows the fabric to cling together and not move when sewing, so ideal for beginners. I made a size 18, and decided to add some little extra details: as I wanted to fully embrace the Barbie pink vibe I stitched pink ric rac trim to the bottom of the shoulder frill, to create a little extra visual interest.
You can’t see when wearing it, but I also used some love heart bias binding for the armholes, made by The Specky Seamstress that featured in a past SewHayleyJane box. The bottom of the top is designed to have elastic, but I decided to skip this as I liked the look of it loose, and has the potential to be tucked into high waisted trousers (although on reflection I would lengthen the bodice so I could comfortably do this, as this one certainly is more of a cropped look.)
As if my Barbie theme couldn’t go even more to plan, there happened to be a Barbie pop up located in Covent Garden the weekend I wanted to photograph this make, so of course I had to take full advantage and trotted off complete with pink nails and Barbie handbag! It made my inner child so happy, and I love how much this top has so many styling options. I can’t believe I haven’t come across this pattern before, and think it truly is an ideal summer staple.