Simplicity 2582 - The "Summer Breeze" Top

Last week The week before last on Sew Weekly was all about mixing prints. After scanning the local shops, I just couldn't find two prints that seemed right for each other. I did, however, find a floral cotton lawn that I thought would make the perfect vacation top. So, I whipped that up instead.

Top:  Simplicity 2582 (obviously)
Shorts: (excuse the legs) American Eagle
Sandals:  Issac Mizrahi for Target
Handbag: "vintage" Dooney and Bourke AWL
Sunglasses:  Nine West

I knew I wanted the top to be minimal and airy. After scanning through the few blouse patterns I have, I saw that none of them would work.  They all had too much structure.  So, I browsed through the dress patterns instead.

I chose Simplicity 2582 for its vee neckline, lack of sleeves, and the gathered empire waist.  This is a perfect summer pattern!  If you choose to make a top from it (not included but, very easily drafted), it requires only a yard of fabric!  Only the bodice is lined and if your fabric is thick enough, you could sub facings to reduce layers.  As my fabric is so sheer, I chose to line the bodice in a white cotton lawn.

Since this item was so small, I decided to really take my time with it and make it look as professional as possible.  Let me tell you, that paid off!  I'm thrilled with this top!  In fact, I think this might be my proudest creation yet!  "But Jennifer, it's just a simple little top..."  I know :-)  Let me show tell you why.  (Sorry, I keep forgetting to take close-up/interior shots.)

The sun was killing me but, we did manage to get a picture that wasn't so washed out.

I changed the construction order so that everything would be enclosed and I could add an invisible zipper.  I understitched the entire neckline to minimize the lining peaking out.  I serged all of the seams and the hem.  Most importantly, I slowed down and made sure to sew a c c u r a t e l y.  This should be a given but, sometimes I'm in such a rush that seams are off by 1/16"-1/8". Not this time! Every. seam. matches!!!! Hooray! heehee

I was so pleased with this one that I finally took the time to create and print care and "brand" labels. So, this has the honor of being my first "official" looking garment. :-D

For its inaugural wear, I put the lawn to the test.  We browsed an Art Walk in roughly 90F heat.  (Then, stopped at the below drug store to take a few dozen photos.)  The dark color made it a touch warm but, I was certainly cooler than I would have been wearing a thicker fabric.  The breeze blowing through the fabric was such a relief!

This would have been my "green" Me-Made challenge photo, if I had the time to upload it.
This is said to be the oldest, operating drug store on this side of the country.  I was so disappointed though when I saw they had painted over the old Coca-Cola mural.

So, yeah, you could say I like it.  It's not my nicest fitting garment, in all it's billowy glory but, I like the variety and its comfort (and ability to hide the damage of a heavy meal!) will keep it in constant rotation this summer.  Oh yes, it's coming to Texas with me.  I didn't hesitate to reach for this top when we opted to go shopping in Houston.  It proved great in the heat and so easy to change in and out of when trying on clothes.

Do you have a favorite summer pattern or fabric?  Are you a lawn junkie, as I fear I am about to be?

Happy sewing! x