How to sew quick tops for spring
Springtime is all about lightweight, easy-to-match tops!
If you’re planning to update your wardrobe but don’t want to spend days in front of the sewing machine, here are a few ideas for quick projects.
A jersey top
Tops made from stretch fabrics are often particularly quick and easy to sew. Jersey fabrics don’t need to be overcast, which saves a lot of time during assembly and means you’ll have a beautifully finished garment faster.
If you’re looking for an easy, original design, opt for Atelier Adriette’s Vannou model, which makes a lovely casual t-shirt for adults and children. Its special feature? Its batwing sleeves, a nod to Japanese kimonos. The top is oversized, but you can sew a wider or narrower belt for a more fitted blousant effect.
To follow one of the year’s trends, you can choose a fairly light striped jersey for a supple fall.
If you’re new to sewing, there’s no reason to shy away from jersey! With a suitable needle and the elastic stitch on your machine, you can get started. The Aime comme Madrague model from Aime comme Marie is all-terrain and minimalist, and very quick to sew. Here again, you can choose a fairly fine jersey for a soft fall, or a thicker jersey for a firmer hold.
For kids, you can choose our short-sleeved t-shirt or Atelier Adriette’s Mini Roxana tank top.
A short top for the summer
What better way to prepare for spring and summer than to sew yourself a pretty sleeveless top? The absence of sleeves removes a significant difficulty and saves time. To sew yourself a pretty, short, summery top, you can use a pretty patterned (flowers, stripes…) or plain cotton, a viscose or a fairly fine linen.
The Vestiaire Éponyme model, Fleury, lets you sew lots of different versions on the same straight-cut short top base. Closed or open back, straight or scalloped hem… It’s up to you to choose the variations that tempt you.
The Treize Coquelicots pattern also allows you to sew a crop top with a plunging back, to be worn with high-waisted pants or skirts. To bring it closer to spring fashion, you can choose to sew it with an broderie anglaise fabric for a country touch.
A linen top to beat the heat
Linen is the perfect fabric for the summer season. It’s particularly pleasant to wear and keeps you cool thanks to its thermoregulatory properties. Linen adds a natural touch to any outfit, while remaining simple and elegant. Match it with jeans or flowing pants.
For example, you can sew the Jane model from Un chat sur un fil. It’s a quick and easy pattern to make, even though it contains buttons and slightly gathered sleeves, which look great with colored linen or a more natural shade.
If you’re in the mood for a minimalist pattern without having to go through the buttonhole sewing stage, Camimade’s Sable pattern is a head-snap pattern with a very simple shape. There’s no need for a zip, and its straight shape means you can get a neat, pretty result pretty quickly, without sacrificing finishing touches. And for those who’d like to add a little finishing touch, the pattern includes an optional bow at the waist.
For beginners, Charlène from Les Tutos de Charlène explains on her channel how to sew a V-neck top, which goes very well with light linen.
Linen is also very suitable for children. As it tends to wrinkle very easily, you can choose a model that is already slightly gathered, which will show the marks less than a perfectly straight garment. The Mimolette blouse, with its shoulder bows and wide shape, is perfect for sewing a pretty linen garment for younger children.
Do you have any top designs you particularly like to sew for spring? What are you planning to make for the warmer weather?
