I am so excited about this top. I love to see a classic white button-up, but I’ve always felt like I was dressing up in someone else’s clothes when I try to wear one. Whether pairing it with cute trousers for work or denim shorts for a preppy look, I feel like it feels off-base from my usual style and out of place on me. So this is my own take on a collared white-ish button-up that fits my style a bit more!
Let’s start with the construction – I won’t lie, I knew I was putting myself into a pickle when I chose this. I have yet to have an easy go of it when sewing crepe fabrics, and this one was no exception. It feels like no matter how careful I am handling my cut pattern pieces or how quickly I get certain areas stay-stitched, this stuff wants to GROW. This is a beautiful and well-made fabric, and it did not give me as much trouble as other fabrics in the past, but the fact that this might not be a beginner-friendly option is worth mentioning nonetheless. Be very careful as you cut and sew, because this stuff has a mind of its own! If you look too closely at my top, you’ll definitely see some areas where I had to accept a “make it work” moment.
Fusible interfacing was absolutely my best friend here. I have often made the mistake of cutting my fabric and interfacing separately and then trying to square-peg-round-hole fit them together while ironing on, which is miserable. If you have the clarity of mind, cut your interfacing first, iron it onto your fabric, and then cut your fabric! You’ll get a way more precise cut! I realized this too late in the process, but will absolutely be doing it that way the next time around.
All that being said, I’m so excited with how this top turned out. The fabric is absolutely dreamy to wear, and it’s one of those that feels like an elevated casual option, but also something that can dress up a little bit. I really love this outfit that I put together in these photos – I’ve always been a big fan of long sleeves and short shorts! – and I’ve got plans to wear this out to brunch next weekend. However, as I write this, I’m wearing this top paired with a pair of skinny black trousers and a pair of very cute flats at work, and it is another great look. I think it would also be fun tucked into a cute colorful skirt, or a black pencil skirt.
I’m a big fan of the details of this top – the big giant collar is the obvious star of the show. When I tried this on for my husband after finishing it up, his first comment was “Whoa, is that collar big enough?!” (The answer is yes, probably. But I’m open to bigger.) The slender cuffs and billowy sleeves are just big enough to feel flowy and fun without being too giant. And of course, buttons. I was THRILLED to see that I had the absolute perfect buttons in my stash for this fabric! The Pigeon Wishes buttons have a tortoiseshell quality, a little bit of brown, a little bit of black, on the perfect creamy background. The creamy quality of the buttons was too much to be paired with a white fabric, but a fantastic match for this creamy colored crepe!
I’m really excited about this top – I think it will be a great piece in my wardrobe, and I’m so glad I’ve finally sewn up the Patina Blouse pattern. I see more in my future soon – I think a short sleeved version in a fun printed cotton lawn may be next on the list. If this top gets as much wear as I am anticipating, I’m also considering grabbing another cut of this fabric in a warm colorway for autumn and making another version of this same thing!
Top: handmade by me
Pattern: Friday Pattern Co. – Patina Blouse
Fabric: Minerva – Mind the Maker Ecovero Viscose Crepe in Creamy White
Key Ingredients:
Brother XR9500PRW Sewing Machine
Brother 1034D Overlocker
Dahle 36×48 Self-healing Cutting Mat
Prym Sewing Machine Needles
Gutermann Sew All Polyester Sewing Thread
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 and a review of my experience with the fabric, to be posted on their website. The pattern 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
