4 September 2014

Sewing a top. Sorbetto pattern

I have done quite a bit of sewing in my life, from skirts to quilts to bags.
Never though have I attempted to sew from a pattern.
My mum is an incredible seamstress and kept telling me how easy it was. It was only when we were in the states that I stumbled across the pattern for a dress I really wanted to sew. Time to test the water, I thought!

Rather than dive straight in with a dress I looked online for some simple patterns and came across the Sorbetto top by Colette . It looked easy enough and it was free. win win.

The patterned is printed at home and then cut and stuck together again. Simple enough, if a bit fiddly.
Once I had measured myself to find my size, cutting out was super simple and with only two pattern pieces I couldn't really go wrong!


I love how this top has turned out. It was a quick make, it didn't use too much material and it was perfect for a beginner. It eased me gently into following a sewing pattern and I didn't have any major calamities.


If I was to make it again I would certainly add a few more inches to the hem. I am a short person and it was on the shorter side for me so if you are tall, I would always add a bit more.
I would also lower the bust darts a touch and maybe cut slighter lower armholes. It is a tad too snug!


I'm excited by a new type of craft, there is something lovely about wearing a handmade garment. I have my next make lined up, pattern and material sitting on my desk. It is a bit more of a challenge so I intend to take it slowly, with plenty of cups of tea.


Sewing clothes, what a fun new experience!

Have you ever sewn anything from a pattern? Have you attempted the Sorbetto top?

19 comments:

Lea Lacoste said...

that fabric is GORGEOUS!! big congrats on that top, I so need to buy a sewing machine and then learn what bust darts are haha!

Eileen T said...

It looks lovely. Well done on your first attempt.

Susanne said...

Congrats on getting it done. It looks cute on you. Good luck with the next project. I think it is so cool that you can get sewing patterns off the internet these days.

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

That top is adorable on you, Abi! I love it!

Back in the day, when I was in the 7th grade and took my first sewing class in school, we used patterns. My first project was a pair of pants and I still remember them. Haha - orange polyester. Wow. I've made plenty of pieces of clothing from patterns but I've never been crazy about they way they fit. It's been years since I've sewn clothing, but I do love working with patterns for dolls and such.

Cosmic said...

well-done you!

Karen said...

Very pretty! I love the detail on the front. From the time I was 12 or 13 until about 10 or 12 years ago when it became cheaper to buy an outfit than make it yourself, I sewed with patterns regularly. Made clothes for myself, Tracy, and both kids. One year I made men's shirts for all the guys in the family for Christmas. Christmas Eve I was still sewing on buttons. What was I thinking?

Sinead said...

I'm so very impressed Abi! I just LOVE this, it's so pretty and you did such an amazing job. I have crocheted a top before and made many scarves/cowls. Please teach me how to sew?! :) X

Nathalie said...

It looks lovely and even if there are small improvements that you would make it looks pretty perfect on the photos! I have done a few sewing projects in the past but never anything "wearable"... You do make me want to try though. ;)

Barbara Eads said...

Your top is adorable---just like you!

fran said...

This is gorgeous - I really love the fabric!

I'm also an apprentice seamstress and have so far sewn a skirt. I haven't yet sewn a Colette's pattern but this one looks like a good place to start. Where did you find it for free?

fran xx

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

You've done a great job Abi. Lovely neat top stitching round the neckline. I'm making a Colette Laurel at the moment and I thought the arm holes on that seemed a bit on the small side. Perhaps it's a theme of those patterns. It doesn't matter so much on this one, but I'm planning another sleeveless one and want to be able to wear a long top underneath, once the weather gets cooler.

Sian said...

Funny, I was admiring this pattern on Pinterest just the other day. It's beautiful! When I was your age I used to make a lot of my own clothes. I'd sew up a top on Saturday afternoon and wear it out on Saturday night. I'd love to get back to making some dresses. I'm looking forward to seeing what you make next

Miriam said...

I used to sew from a pattern everything I walked around in and then for my son and the numerous dolls and teddies that came our way. Ive made jackets, shirts and trousers, Fabric is my first love. I still have my sewing machine on my desk and more fabric than I care to admit to. You look gorgeous in that very pretty top Abi.

Ruth said...

You are sew clever and the top is sew pretty ... sorry, couldn't resist!

alexa said...

Both it and you look fabulous! Well done ... I used to sew all my own clothes as a student, and you are inspiring me to think about starting again :).

Sheena said...

It looks fabulous Abi x
Great choice of fabric.

Lou said...

you are just too clever :) it's lovely

Lizzie said...

Very pretty top, Abi. Altering the armholes shouldn't be hard - be careful you don't end up with the opposite problem & have those gaping gaps under your arm!

I used to stitch a lot of my own clothes, when I was younger, also curtains, blinds, cushions etc. it was much cheaper than buying ready-made or having curtains made-to-measure!
Recently I've made plans to get my machine out again - I want to convert the spare curtain from our new living room

Lizzie said...

...sigh...ipod editing.... Sorry for the 2-part comment!
...spare curtain... I want to make it into a roman blind for the tall, narrow side window, so it matches the huge glass doors (which only needed three curtains of the two pairs - one per door).
I have made my own patterns in the past, though nothing very complicated in the "shaping department"!
Good luck with the dress pattern. You could do a dry run with some inexpensive fabric, before using it on your special stuff, if you're not sure - we were taught to make one up in calico or muslin first - not that I often did - straight in the deep end was my style (& cope with the problems as I went along!!).