I made a new Teddy top for summer! Sewn in linen/cotton fabric in a bright paisley print, it features a high-low faced hem, a swingy shape, extended sleeves with cuffs, and a cool collar that can be worn folded or standing.
The pattern is StyleArc’s Teddy Designer Top and it comes in a short length and a tunic length. This was my first time sewing a StyleArc pattern and I was impressed. The pattern drafting was top notch, which made it easy to sew. The instructions were minimal but enough for those with some knowledge of garment sewing. The fit was very good — more close-fitting than the Big 4 patterns so similar to a Burda fit, at least for me.
Image from here
Fabric Choices for the Teddy Top
Using lightweight fabrics made this Teddy top perfect for the summer months. I chose two fabrics for this top, both purchased from EOS Fabrics. The main fabric is an airy linen/cotton blend in a bright paisley pattern. The facing fabric is a 100% Giza cotton. The facing and collar pieces were interfaced with a lightweight fusible interfacing.
The 100% Giza cotton fabric was a bit more substantial than the linen/cotton blend, which gave the neckline and faced hemline more structure and weight. Using the same linen/cotton blend fabric for all elements would have made it lighter and given it a softer shape.
Fit and Sewing
I usually need to make a few standard petite fit adjustments, especially with tops, but none were needed with this pattern. It is a loose-fitting top and therefore more forgiving from a fit perspective. In hindsight, I could have decreased the shoulder-to-bust length a bit, as the neckline is a bit low, but this adjustment was definitely not critical.
The one fiddly sewing part was the center front neckline. Instead of following the pattern instructions, I think it is easier to sew the neckline facing to the neckline before stitching the center front. The instructions have you sewing the facing and the neckline closed first, which makes it more challenging to get a clean finish at the “V” part of the neckline. Just a thought!
One caution is the overall length. The pattern comes in two lengths so there are options. I chose the shorter length but the front is a bit shorter than I expected, even thoughI am petite. On a taller person, I wonder if the front would feel a bit cropped. I guess the length is true to the pattern illustration, but I just thought I would comment on it.
Overall Thoughts
I am very glad I (finally!) made a StyleArc design! The pattern drafting is really good and the fit works well for me. This new top is a versatile piece that can be made for summer as well as for cooler days, depending on the fabric and styling. I think it can also be lengthened into a cool dress too. Love this!
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