The first time I sewed the Style Arc Skye top I used pleather (and promptly passed to the top on to a friend who looks much better in it than I did).  Pleather really doesn’t give you the best idea of fit from a muslin or toile perspective!  So for my second go at this pattern I sewed size 12 without alteration again.

The fabric is Thai cotton double gauze and I really had to work hard to eke this top from the scraps I had left from the Toni dress I sewed back in March. I even had to piece a little bit together at the bottom of the back, and there was no way that I could manage facings from the same fabric. Instead I used some printed cotton voile that was in stash.  I bought it from Spotlight for a bargain many years ago, and it has been the gift that keeps on giving!  There is still enough left for another garment.

The wide facings really make this style, as does the shaping at the sides. If you have a shape like mine, very thick through the middle and tummy without a defined waist, the curve up at the side seams really does add something a bit more special to a top that is worn out. To see how it looks tucked in on a completely different shape, one with a lovely defined waist, see Anne‘s recent post here.

This softer, more forgiving fabric has a nicer fit on me than the pleather. I eliminated the centre back slit with button and loop opening since I can get this on and off easily enough with out it (I have a rather small head). Facings were stitched down a quarter of an inch from their edge, which gives a topstitched feature on the right side.

The bust darts are still too high. Must remember to lower them in any future versions! I also think that I would prefer facings for the arm openings, instead of the simple turned back and topstitched openings. The hem and neck facings are so nice that I feel the armholes could really benefit as well. Binding would also work okay. I just think that they need more substance.

You can see that this is drafted for a much closer fit than the Ethel tops, that I also sewed in size 12. It’s also shorter. Different style, different ease! I reckon that I’ll give this top another try. It would be good paired with pants for work in warmer weather.

We head home again from our week on the Tweed Coast later today. We’ve had a great time, and our nephew’s wedding on Friday was lovely. Blog posts of the dresses that Clare, Stella and I wore should be coming up in the next week or so!