Fern Top

Hello! I’m here to show off a pattern I had the privilege of testing recently, the Fern top from Pattern Scout. 

Casey, the designer behind Pattern Scout, posted a call for testers recently and I loved the look of this boxy top so I applied to test. I was really excited to give the top a try since loose tops with cut on sleeves are some of my favorite to sew and to wear.

I thought the Fern top was especially cute with the paneled bodice and the option for the pleated peplum skirt. When I saw that the pattern could be made with just over a yard of 60″ fabric I was totally sold!

I have made a couple of things lately where the fabric requirements were generous and I’ve been left with around a yard of fabric. Sometimes I use those leftovers to make kids clothes but this fabric in particular was something I wanted to keep for myself.

The fabric I used for my Fern top is leftover from my True Bias Shelby dress. It’s a very nice, heavier weight rayon challis from Indiesew. I was excited to have some of it left from when I made the dress and knew that it would make such a cute summery top.

It turned out that I had the perfect amount to cut the Fern top. I made a muslin of this just to be sure that I chose the right size. My high bust measurement (36″) put me in a size 12, and my bust measurement (37″) put me between a 10 and a 12.

Based on the finished measurements I went with the size 12 and I’d say the fit is just perfect. (I did grade out to a size 14 at the waist/peplum, which corresponds to my 32″ waist and 44″ hips.)

The only change I made to the pattern was a 1/2″ forward shoulder adjustment. I chose to do all french seams to keep the insides nice and neat.

I also used a great trick to get a clean finish on the neck facing. It’s something I’d read about on Made By Rae’s blog a while back but hadn’t actually tried until I made the Fern. The interfacing is sewn to the outer edge of the facing right sides together, then turned and pressed to fuse it in place and conceal the raw edges.

It’s explained here in this post and I’d definitely recommend it! (And side note, I generally can’t remember things I did yesterday but somehow remembered this post from a year and a half ago. Woo!)

You really can’t see the paneled bodice details in the fabric I used, but I love that feature of this top. It’s super fun made up in a stripe like Casey did in the pattern listing. I love how it looks with the stripes in the center panel going in the opposite direction from the outer panels. I’ve got some linen stripes in my stash and I know I’ll be using one of them for this pattern!

I have been talking about making some white jeans forever and once I finally get to them I know this top will be so cute with them. I did manage to cut some white Lander pants in May and once I get them sewn I’m going to see how this top looks with those. I’m hoping the high hip length will be a good match for the wide legs of the Landers.

I think this is such a great first garment pattern from Pattern Scout and I totally recommend it. (It comes in a great size range, from a 31″-54″ bust.) I know I’ll be wearing mine on repeat this Summer!

~Teri