When I first saw the Style Arc Selina top I thought ‘nah, too frilly for me’.  But I bought it anyway!

I sewed it up in very lightweight and soft seersucker from Super Cheap Fabrics. It wasn’t on their website for long, and I haven’t seen it (or anything similar) since.  Close up it is a green and light cream gingham, but those checks are teensy so it reads more like a textured sage.

I sewed size 12, and if I remember correctly I did a high rounded upper back alteration by adding to the centre bottom of the yoke (not to the neckline) and curving it back up to nothing at the armhole seam. I also cut the back yoke twice so that I could use the burrito method to self-line it and provide a little more structure across the shoulders and upper back.

This is a roomy top, as you can see from the line diagrams. No bust darts needed for fit, and fairly wide shoulders. From the website: PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: A line top, Sits at the hip, Hem frills, Sleeve frills, Faced neckline, Gathers falling from back yoke, Slight hi-low hemline, Easy fit. FABRIC SUGGESTION: Rayon, crepe, silk, washed linen.

Because of the softness and semi-sheerness of the fabric I decided not to use the suggested facings to finish the neckline. Instead I cut some bias binding from leftover fabric, and applied it so that it showed on the outside.

Construction was mostly on the sewing machine, with the overlocker used to finish edges. I narrow hemmed the ruffle edges by turning it twice and stitching it on the machine. If I was using a crisper or slightly heavier fabric I would probably overlock the edge then turn it once to hem it in order to reduce bulk. It would be easy for the ruffles to be very ‘sticky-outy’ in a different fabric. I also made sure to iron the ruffle seam allowance flat once it had been joined to the body of the garment, but decided not to topstitch the seam allowance to the body of the garment as I often would.

This was an extremely unseasonal sew, so it’s waiting for the weather to warm up enough to actually wear. I think it will work well with my white linen pants. It would be easy to make this without the ruffles if they’re not your thing.

Worn here with Elk necklace, Style Arc Fifi pants, Django & Juliette sandals.