And whoosh, more weeks have passed!  We’re almost at the end of a snap 14-day lockdown here in Melbourne.  Looking forward to easing back to normal in the next couple of weeks.  I’ve cut out lots of projects and am looking forward to getting some sewing done soon.  Lockdown meant the postponement of lots of interstate work, so I’ve got some more time at home.

This top was an impulse sew for Clare a few months ago. It wasn’t on her requests list but sometimes I just want to sew what I want to sew! I liked the look of the pattern and thought that it would be cute on her.

The pattern is the Made for Mermaids Eloise top. From the pattern page: Eloise is a fitted knit peasant-style pattern full of options. It includes a hemmed cropped or top. Plus a half circle peplum, mini, and dress length. The front neckline includes a high, mid, or low scoop. The back neckline is straight. The cropped and the top length neckline is finished with binding. The peplum, mini, and dress bodices are lined. Perfect for year-round wear with several elastic top sleeve options: flutter, ruffled elastic short sleeve, elastic hemmed 3/4, and elastic hemmed long sleeves. All options have a solid or faux button front option. 

As you can see, we chose the cropped top with plain front and mid scoop neckline, with long sleeves.  There’s quite a size range, especially when you take into account that there is also a child and a youth version of the pattern available.  The women’s pattern goes up to a 60 inch full bust.  I sewed the smallest women’s size for Clare, the 30 inch full bust, and graded up one size at the waist.  I won’t bother grading up the waist the next time that I sew this pattern.

The fabric is a printed rayon/spandex knit from Spotlight. It has lovely drape for the sleeves. The pattern was a very easy sew, and the neckline binding finish is a step up from just turning and hemming.

Despite Clare’s initial misgivings when I told her that I wanted to sew this top, it’s been worn quite a lot! It seems to fit quite nicely with the rest of her wardrobe (like the vintage Calvin Klein jeans she’s wearing with it here). I’ll definitely be sewing this pattern again for her, both in summer and winter versions.