Here is my FAVOURITE EVER top! It is super simple with no fastenings or zips and, as the name suggests, can be made from start to finish in just 2 hours. 2 hour top – FREE SEWING PATTERN
I think it best suits a fairly thick fabric with a bit of rigidity to give it the boxy shape. I have made it here in the first picture in a really gorgeous dark blue with a slight lurex thread running through it that you can’t really see in the picture – it sits perfectly with this season’s metallics trend that is everywhere (and not just for the Christmas season).
The key to this top is the bias binding finishing that you need to run around the curved neckline and the curved side vents. I keep meaning to do my own tutorial on this but haven’t got round to it yet. So, in the meanwhile, here is a good one I found on Youtube from FashionSewingBlogTV that explains how to do it beautifully. (Scroll down to bottom of the page). She uses shop-bought bias binding, but I made my own from the leftovers of the fabric I was using. Have a look at my post for how to do this. It is so cheap and easy that it seems like madness not to! Don’t forget to Stay Stitch your curves!
My second version here in lime green and grey, is made from a completely different soft satin-finish fabric. It is actually just a cheap lining type material but looks great in this style and, because it is a more floppy fabric, it clings to the body more and looks a little more fitted.
And finally, my favourite of all, is this massive daisy print. I have backed it with a plain heavy weight black 
satin material as a contrast as you can see from the back view. It does stand out quite stiffly and looks great with fitted trousers or a fitted skirt.
I think it would also work really well in a tartan. In fact, I have a BEAUTIFUL yellow raw silk check in the cupboard that is calling me right now. I was thinking that I might cut it on the bias to soften it slightly as it is rather stiff. Have a look at my post on bias cutting for why and how to do this if you are not sure.
All my fabrics are from Fabworks as usual and I managed to get away with about 3/4 of a metre for each (I am such a cheapskate that I don’t like to buy more than the very minimum.)
Here is a link to a fellow seamstress who has made a few versions using an old shirt – she uses the existing buttons down the front – clever!
jezzeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/two-hour-tops
And another great one from la belle France:
latelierdemartinecornu.com/un-peu-de-couture/
Also have a look at this post from www.makery.com – see above. Portia has adapted the 2 hour top into a raglan cardigan. Her post gives you full details about how to line and extend it.
Another great post here from Joanne at 60 degrees of inspiration who has timed the making of her top check it comes in the 2 hour window!!
I love your 2 hour top but can you tell me how to get the pattern please?
I think I have tried everything but no good.
I would love to make one.
Thankyou
Im having a hard time finding the pattern also.
HI Amanda – it’s there in orange type in the centre of the page. Click on it to see the PDF
Here is the direct page link:
http://www.sewdifferent.co.uk/2-hour-top/
I too can’t obtain the pattern . Thsnks
The pattern was free for the first 2 years but has now been converted into multisize pattern. Sorry for any disappointment but there are other free patterns under the resources tab on the website.
Please e-mail me back because I’d really like to make this pattern but can’t find it to print.
Thank you
Sorry but I forgot to thank you for the instructions you sent to me for the 2 hour top. For various reasons I have only just got around to making my pattern and have got some lovely material from Bombay Stores.
Watch this space!
Thank you
Judith Hall
Would you please tell me what size your 2-Hour Top is?
Hi Karen, It’s a size 12 , but actually is pretty roomy and I think would fit a 14. Let me know how you get on with it. I would love some feedback about the instructions.
Happy sewing – Laura
Hello again Karen, I should have mentioned that there are full instructions about how to resize a pattern to fit you on the sizing page. It’s not difficult and only takes a couple of minutes with a ruler to adjust it from the original. Let me know how it goes. x
I’ve just made a trial version of this top, and I’ll need to make it a bit smaller. Should I reduce it only along the fold and side seams, or along the raglan seams as well?
Hi Jesse – I would reduce along the raglan seams as well. I resized it recently and found it needed it. Happy sewing
Laura
Thank you! I’ve made 3 tops using your pattern, and am definitely going to make more. I’ve posted photos of them on my blog http://jezzeblog.blogspot.com/2015/03/two-hour-tops.html
Thanks for your comment on my blog! I used old shirts for these, so I’m afraid I can’t say exactly how much fabric I used. (I have to admit the front fastenings were just the way the original shirts were – I’ve yet to successfully make a buttonhole.)
Hey, what a great idea with the shirts. Yes, button holes – I avoid them like the plague! I have put a link to your blog on the bottom of my post about the 2 hour top so people can see them!
I love your patterns, especially the 2 hour top, but I don’t see any reference about seam allowances. Do your patterns include seam allowances, and if so, what is that measurement?
Hi. There is no seam allowance. But just to warn you that the 2 hour top is quite a big size. More of a 14 than a 12. If you make it up, perhaps you could let me know how it goes. It was one of the first ones I ever did and perhaps I need to redraw it for a size 12. x
Hello,I’ve made my first top using your pattern : http://latelierdemartinecornu.com/un-peu-de-couture/
Sounds good Martine but I can’t see the picture – the link doesn’t work.
Martine – I have added the link to your blog (and picture when you have fixed it) to the bottom of my post on the 2 hour top. Thanks for sending it in x
[…] to make a few shirts for work now that that weather is getting cooler. I want to have a go at the 2-hour-top by SewDifferent but as usual can’t decide what fabric I want to use. I also caved in and hit StyleArc during […]
Oops, I just did a trial of the 2 hour top – I completely forgot about size 12 being 2 sizes smaller than the United States. Guess, I need to do some adjusting before I go for the real thing 🙂 Thanks for the free patterns!!
hello there! i just did a mock up of this pattern and i do love it, but i wish i had read the comments beforehand because i totally didn’t add seam allowances and i could barely fit my head through the hole. ha. which of course is why i made the mock up. i’m just getting back into sewing after a loooong haitus and i just knew i needed to check it out before i used the fabric i had picked out for the finished top.
Ich bedanke mich vielmals für diesen tollen Schnitt,mit dem auch eine Anfängerin zurecht kommt.
Ich hoffe sie lassen sich den Kaffee schmecken.
Ich denke ich kann auch die Ärmel verlängern ?
Viele liebe Grüße Regina
Thanks for the coffee Regina, and, yes, it will be easy to extend the sleeves.
Happy sewing.
just found your site and look forward to making up your patterns
I’m in love with the daisy print fabric, and want to make myself a top. Can you tell me where to find it?
Hi Jennifer, sorry but the daisy fabric was just a remnant I got from a warehouse. I don’t even have any idea what company it came from. I suspect it may actually have been a furnishing fabric. Sorry I can’t be more helpful.
x
can I purchase any of your patterns?They are so much more what I am looking for . I really like the top LC008..
Hi, yes, there will be several for sale soon – I am just working on them. But this particular one is available as a free PDF download in one size only at the moment. Just click on the orange link to download. If you would prefer a paper pattern please let me know and I will work on this one next. (Converting into multi sizes takes quite a while.)
Jane C.
Your pattern is perfect for a beautiful linen I have found. I do hope however that you will make it into an order-by-mail paper pattern!
Hello!
I just found your site, and since I live in Norway its pretty expensive to get it sent, so I have to use the print out patterns. but that will work..
My question is, Im a small, 160cm, and a 48-50 europeean size. As I read the adjustment tips, I should put on 24/5, ca 5 on bote side seams (front and back, and 5 cm at the mid front. But what abourt the sleeves and raglands? That want fit together…
Do you have some good tips for a larger, but small girl :-)? Im a more kind of “no waist, with generousely bust…
Hi Stine. I think Norway has just discovered my site. I’ve had my first 2 orders from Norway this weekend! It’s difficult with raglan sleeves. I would cut you bodice to the new size (keep all the angles the same – just extend the lengths where you need to) and then measure the diagonal where the sleeve should fit. Then extend your raglan sleeve to fit this diagonal length. Pattern cutting, especially for loose fitting shapes does not actually require rocket science precision. If in doubt, cut a little larger, try your garment on regularly as you are making it, and adjust as you go along.
[…] used this free 2 Hour Top pattern from Sew Different. I added some length and narrowed the sides a bit and finished the whole thing with French […]
This is a lovely make! Would you mind if I used it on my social media and linked back to your site?
[…] top was based on this pattern which I have used […]
Hi. I was wondering if you could post the full instructions for the Peasant Top if possible. Thanks
Sorry Alex but my free patterns don’t come with instructions. They are pretty self explanatory though – just take a guess.
The top is lovely. I’m new to drawing a pattern, and cannot download it as I have no printer. Looking at the overview, and making sure the width is 28 cms I cannot make the armline 31cms. Can you advise where I’m going wrong?
Thank you.
Hi Dianna
I’m not sure where you are going wrong. I have double checked the pattern. The 31cm is right to the top – not to the pink neckline – maybe that’s it?
[…] about it until I began switching out my winter clothes for spring clothes. I used this free 2 hour top pattern as a starting […]
Hi, Laura! I love this top, especially your black and white version. I found a cotton barkcloth that I could imagine as this top. Do you think that fabric would be too heavy? Thanks.
Hi Carol, I’m not sure what a barkcloth is to be honest. It works fine in a stiffer fabric but is worth noting that, as there is no dart, it might stand out from the body a little. But that is a style that is very on trend at the moment so you might be happy with that.
[…] is the two-hour-top, a free sewing pattern from SewDifferent.co.uk. I was planning on making it with the blue fabric, and just so happened to have the lace which I […]