Posted by This week, at lunchtimes and bedtimes, I have mostly been trawling the internet for patterns for tops. Tops for work generally.
I work in construction and whilst mostly office based I have to be prepared to whiz off to visit a potential new site or attend a meeting with a Client. So my standard uniform is smart trousers, heels (flats kept in the car) and a top with a jacket for winter. You can never have enough tops. And I would like more.
My tentative foray into dressmaking has opened up a massive potential for a huge increase in my wardrobe especially now that the fabric world for the dressmaker has substantially moved on offering such a vast array of beautiful washable wearable fabrics at just a few pounds per meter.
So I’ve been pinning my favourites on my Pinterest Board.
A real mixture of the independent pattern publisher and the old school pattern makers.
I have loved watching the rise and rise of the independent pattern publisher. Contemporary patterns with in depth instruction, many of which feature detailed photographic explanation of each stage. Small collections but recreated by hundreds and blogged, pinned and instagrammed resulting in iconic garments immediately recognisable as the Tilly and the Buttons Mathilde or Coco, the Colette Sorbetto top or the ByHandLondon Anna dress.
And don’t get me started on fabric!!!!! It’s a whole new world out there!
Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself. Maybe my second make will be a disaster. I’m quite prepared for it to be a disaster.
I’m off into Leeds market this afternoon.
I’ll let you know what I find.
Love, Lucie x
Love, Lucie 
Out of those, I really like New Look 6913. I’m desperate for tops for work too, I’m a building surveyor for a housing association, and should have a similar work wardrobe to you.
Oh, and expect a few disasters! Even after making clothes for around 30 years, I still get them!
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I think I need one of each! I’m putting off sleeves! Sleeves look complicated.
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I am sure your next top will be just as good as the first. I have found that sometimes you do make things that don’t look as good as you had planned but usually you can fiddle and alter them till they work! Just takes a bit of patience. Look forward to seeing your new top! I work in construction too!! Central heating!! This is a great escape!
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Another lady sewer in construction! I guess we all need a creative outlet after spending all that time with so many men and their less creative pursuits.
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Yes! If only I could make sewing and craft pay as well!!!! Luckily I work with my sister in our family’s business and we often ponder about how nice it would be to work in a more creative environment – surrounded by Cath Kidston and polka dot fabric rather than copper tube and boilers!!!
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It’s funny that you can be good at two completely different things but I suppose logic and planning and attention to detail falls into both camps.
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A lovely collection of tops. Will be interesting to see which one you make.
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I’m going to make my first one again just to make sure it wasn’t a fluke!
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Nice collection of tops. I think the last one and the one on the picture directly above are elegant. Looking forward to your next creation.
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Nearly finished top no 2!
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I love the simplicity of the Butterick pattern but any pattern by made by rae automatically trumps the rest!
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Just discovered Rae. So many things I like on that site!
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Me too! 🙂
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