So, to my first garment of 2020!  I bought a few different fabrics when we were away on holiday in Borneo.

The one on the left is printed polyester in a modernised version of traditional motifs by Kain Chanteek. Beside it is Indian block printed cotton that I bought from a shop I found in Kuching that was full of beautiful quality Indian textiles – not Malaysian in design, but worth adding to my fabric stash! Then we have some cotton lengths in traditonal motifs but non-traditional colours from Sabah (bought at Fabriko in Kuching). I decided to start with a sarong length of fairly crisp cotton.

Because this fabric had been printed to be used as a sarong (it was actually already sewn into a tube) there were interesting border and feature elements to the print that I wanted to take advantage of. I needed a pattern with plenty of seamlines, both to make the most of the print and to be able to eke a garment out of the fabric length.

I decided to use the Style Arc Tessa top, which I’ve had in stash for ages but hadn’t yet sewn. From the pattern website: This designer over top has a fabulous yoke seam that continues into the sleeve, the body has a slight cocoon shape along with a shaped hem line, the side seam pockets are optional. Use your design skills to splice the panels into your favourite colour combination or use a plain coloured Linen with a contrast top stitching. FABRIC SUGGESTION: Linen, crepe or silk.

Now I wish I’d taken a photo of this fabric laid out flat, before I cut into it! In the end, much of it was cut on the cross grain. I cut the front yoke on the fold rather than in two pieces, with a section of the print running along it. Then I placed the front piece in an attempt to mirror another section of the print along the yoke seam and the centre front seam. I added some topstitching for stability and for effect.

I was able to cut the back yoke so that it contrasted with the lower back pieces, that still had a border running below the yoke seamline.

I had enough fabric left to cut the neckline, armhole and hem facings, but I left off the pockets. This is straight size 12, without any alterations. I really like the finished top; it’s a fabulous souvenir.  I will definitely be using this pattern again.