Simple and versatile!

This is a fantastic pattern for beginner sewists – no darts, no zips, no button holes – just nice, simple, straight stitching! I’m very late to the Wilder party, but it’s clear from the hashtag on Instagram that this is an incredibly versatile pattern – check it out to be inspired!

I chose to use some really pretty double gauze for my top version – this pattern is fantastic for sheer fabrics like mine, as there are no facings or plackets. It’s hard to see in photographs, but the gauze is a very pale blush pink adorned with gold foil spots – I had a 1.5m bolt-end, which was plenty.

I haven’t made a Friday Pattern Company garment before, but I was really impressed with the clarity and usability of the instructions. If you choose to make the dress version, you still only need to print the top pattern pieces as the skirt sections are given as rectangular measurements. This is great if, like me, you hate sticking together PDFs!

I dithered about which size to make for a while and eventually opted for the XS. The fit is fine, but verging on the snug side and I think the S may have been a better choice for a fabric with not as much drape as something like a rayon. I would probably make the size S next time.

I didn’t make any alterations, but I slightly changed how I made the neck tie to get a better finish on the ends. Rather than stitching it as one long tube then tucking the ends in and stitching them to finish, I left a gap in the centre to turn each end through. At this centre join is hidden within the collar, I felt it was just a tidier way to do it.

I really like the finished top and I think it was a good way to use this fabric. It’s pretty, easy to wear and very comfortable. It was an incredibly easy sew and I still can’t believe how little time it took, even though I frenched all the seams! I think I might make the dress version next in some lovely floaty rayon ready for the summer.