I first sewed the Style Arc Sunny top back in March 2014.  I still wear that very first version!  I’ve sewn it five times now; this version makes number six.

I’m not sewing to any plan at the moment; this was a random sew to use up a long-term stash resident. The body of the top is sewn from french terry; the sleeves and neckband are cotton/spandex.

This is size 12, without any alterations. Although I have a short torso, I prefer to leave the body length of this pattern as designed.

From the pattern website: This is a new shape for a knit top. The oversized look becomes very flattering because of pattern drafting and the cocoon shape which is the new on trend look. Try it, you will love it!! FABRIC SUGGESTION: Slinky knit, any drapey knit.

Notice the fabric suggestion? French terry is definitely not in there! There’s nothing terribly slinky or drapey about it! However, I think that it still works well in this pattern in combination with the much stretchier cotton/spandex knit for the sleeves and neckband. Like the Tessuti Mandy top, the sleeves are quite fitted and because it’s a dropped shoulder, you need good stretch in there to make them comfortable. You don’t want fabric that only stretches across – it needs to stretch up and down as well!

It’s worth going a little off piste with fabric selections sometimes, but you do need to really think about what the consequences might be, and ameliorate them where possible. The French terry has enough body to give this version of the Sunny a more definite cocoon shape, while still having enough drape and just enough stretch to keep the armholes comfortable where they join to the sleeve. I’m glad that I chose to use it, and it’s handy to have added a plain white top to my wardrobe.

This pattern is one of my Style Arc favourites, and I’m now thinking of sewing up another version in viscose jersey to really get that drape. I think that there’s a perfect green somewhere in my stash.