Home Needles and Threads Itch to Stitch’s Seychelles top

Itch to Stitch’s Seychelles top

by Elsa

Let’s start the review of this new top, the Seychelles top.

It’s been designed by Itch to Stitch and sewn in  a lovely, but slippery,  charmeuse from Minerva.

I’ll tell you later how I tamed that tricky fabric.

Seychelles, the epitome of the easy top

Simplicity is key in this top. No closure, you just put it on and off you go. I like that Kennis has a nice collection of easy tops such as the Busan for knit or the Melrose for wovens.

Seychelles top, La Casa Cactus

Seychelles offers a V neck finished by a facing topstitched from the outside. Darts shape the bust area. You can choose between two sleeve lengths: short sleeves with pleats or long sleeves with a button loop at the cuffs.

Seychelles top, La Casa Cactus

That’s a real beginner-friendly pattern.

What type of fabric for Seychelles?

I think that a lightweight fabric with enough drape will be perfect. Otherwise, you’ll end up with something close to scrubs.

Some Liberty lawn, double gauze, viscose, even a cotton-silk blend, would lake a dreamy top. I had this silky charmeuse I mistakenly added to my cart on the Minerva website. When I got it, I was like “well, not my type. How on Earth did I order that???”.

But, actually, I really like it with the Seychelles top.

Alterations

I lowered the bust darts a good inch or nearly.

I slightly shortened the length. I tend to wear my knit tops over my bottoms whereas my woven tops are worn tucked in so I need more length for a little blousy effect, but not as long as the drafted length.

With such a length you can wear it fully or half tucked in.

 

Tips for tricky fabrics!

This charmeuse was just untameable: slippery, static +++, etc.

First step: spray starching it. I used my old faithful spray starch and things went more easily afterwards.

Second step: using a rotary cutter. Less shifting of fabric.

Third step: using a thin needle (size 70 or 80).

Fourth step: this one depends on your sewing machine. I lowered the pressure of my pressure foot down to 2. If you can’t, try using a walking foot.

And, last but not least, my favorite lazy trick: instead of basting the outer edge of the facing before topstitching it, I used some Wondertape lengths. So easy!

Honestly, I wasn’t so sure about my fabric, but the pattern pairs parfectly with it. Now I think that a navy blue Tana lawn Seychelles would be lovely.

Pattern: Seychelles top

Fabric: silky charmeuse

Notions: Vilene H180 and buttons from my stash

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