I’ve had the opportunity to work with a lot of really incredible fabrics lately, but I think that this one really earned the spot for most luxurious fabric I touched in 2020. This fabric is amazing! While I love the lightweight, easy to work with, cool and breezy wonderfulness of cotton lawn in general, I’m often surprised to hear people get REALLY hyped up about it. I just don’t ever understand quite why? Sure, it is lovely, but is all that excitement really necessary?
Well YEAH. It actually is, if you get your hands on some of the really good stuff. I am not kidding you when I tell you that when I opened up the package and thought I was holding silk in my hands. The fabric felt so luxurious! I couldn’t wait to get started sewing and put this stuff right up against my skin as soon as possible.
I prewash all of my fabrics in the washer and dryer, because I know that realistically, the way my life is, that’s how basically everything is going to get washed. Better to accommodate for that ahead of time than to accidentally find something tiny and shrunken in my laundry later on down the line. I will be honest that after a cycle in the washer and the dryer, it is not quite as silky as it began, but it is still some of the most wonderful and soft fabric in my wardrobe.
The pattern and color on this fabric are BOLD, and I love it. Sometimes, when I get something that feels more bold, I like to tone it down a little by choosing a simple or sleek silhouette that will let the fabric shine without adding much to the situation. But not today, my friends. Not today. Today, I wanted that purposeful cropped cut with those big giant sleeves and more, more, MORE. The only thing that would’ve maybe added more fun and visual play to it would have been some black piping around the seam lines, to play up the black and show off those fun back details!
As with many things in my closet, my favorite way to wear this top is with my favorite black skinny jeans. While I have chosen not to purchase fast fashion for a couple of years now, these jeans are from about 4 years ago and cost me $7, and still hold up as my favorite and most worn pants in my closet. I will eventually replace them with a pair of me-made black skinnies, but am happy to hold onto them and love them until they absolutely fall apart.
This was my first time playing with the Cielo Pattern, but it won’t be the last. I love the big voluminous sleeves, but I’ve been equally excited about trying out the simple version of the top, as well as this version without the additional sleeve cuff. It was actually this modification that finally got me to buy the pattern in the first place – I’d seen so many tops made using View B but omitting the lower sleeve cuff, and always thought it resulted in such a great looking sleeve! I imagine that my next version will go that route.
For reference, I am right at 5’8”, and I think I carry my height more in my torso than in my legs. I wanted to go ahead and sew the pattern as it is, to see how it falls on me, before making any adjustments. While I think it looks perfect with these jeans, I don’t love it quite as much with any of my lower-waisted pants right now. Maybe someday when I have great abs again I’ll like that more, but today ain’t that day, folks. I am considering adding a ½ inch to 1 inch next time around, to maintain that cropped look but give me a little more freedom to pair this with other things!
My husband told me that I looked like a librarian in this look, but I’m totally here for that. These glasses are the MVMT Ingram Everscrolls – they are blue blockers that are super stylish, and I’ve been wearing them every day at work since they arrived in my mailbox! I originally picked these out as I began my partnership as a Brand Ambassador for MVMT. I was so happy, because I’d been on the search for some cute blue-blockers for quite awhile! Since transitioning into a management role, I spend a LOT more time in front of my computer than at the bedside, so these have been a perfect daily addition to my work gear. If you’re interested in checking out some blue-blockers, or any other MVMT products, you can get 15% off of your purchase through the link HERE – just use code PINSAND15 at checkout!
I’ve been wearing this top almost weekly since I sewed it in late September, but I realized just recently that I’d never remembered to take photos! This one is a showstopper – I’m thrilled to have had the chance to work with this fabric, to have paired it with such a great pattern, and to now finally have photos of it! If you haven’t gotten a chance to check out the selection of Storrs London cotton lawns at Minerva, consider that your mission for the day. Enjoy!
Top: handmade by me
Fabric: Minerva – Storrs London Egyptian Cotton Lawn Fabric Blue
Pattern: Closet Core Patterns – Cielo Top & Dress (View B)
Key Ingredients:
Brother XR9500PRW Sewing Machine
Brother 1034D Overlocker
Schmetz Jersey Ballpoint Needles
Dahle 36×48 Self-healing Cutting Mat
Heat & Bond Soft Stretch (Lite)
Thanks for reading my thoughts on this pattern! The fabric used for this post was provided to me by Minerva in exchange for photos of my finished garments posted on their website. The Cielo Top and Dress Pattern by Closet Core Patterns was purchased by me. All words and opinions expressed throughout this post are my own, as always. Links provided throughout this post may be affiliate links – if you choose to purchase any products through these links, I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you. This simply helps me justify the costs of my sewing habit and the time it takes to share it with you!! Happy Sewing!
- XX Elizabeth
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