Yum yum yum – just look at this beautiful fabric. So very 1960s, I thought. I saw it at the Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate and couldn’t resist it. And I was then inspired to create the pattern for the 60s Inspired Top – FREE SEWING PATTERN.

1960s-fabric

This neat retro top hangs beautifully and has a built in back panel so you don’t have to wear a cami underneath. It would be super comfortable if you used a t-shirting fabric here and would give the whole garment a bit of stretch and give. It is a little more fitted than the (very popular) 2 hour top with darts at the bust and a slimmer fit all over.

60s-inspired-top-drawing

There are also turn ups on the sleeves which you can do in a complementary colour as I have. I used a heavy weight black satin and the same for the inside back panel. It would look great to do the top in a plain and then contrasting sleeve turn-ups and back panel – navy and hot pink or white and red.

It would also work really well in a tartan. Or you could try combining your fabrics – maybe a knitted outer fabric and a silky inner fabric. Or, for the winter, a wooly outer layer (a bit like a cardi in reverse!) teamed with something softer inside.

I haven’t done a step-by-step tutorial for this pattern but here are the basic instructions:

• On one of the FRONT / BACK pieces cut along the pink line to create the front neckline.

• Align the green dots on a sleeve and a back piece. Stitch between the green dot and the blue dot. Repeat with the other sleeve.

• Align the green dots on a sleeve and a front piece. Stitch up towards the blue dot – the fabric will not align at this point.

• Cut along the pink line on the sleeve to continue the curve of the front neckline. Repeat on other sleeve.

• Stitch back and front together from green dot down to pink dot.

• Finish neckline and hem, including curved corners, with bias binding

couture-1
couture-2

Have look at these two lovely versions of the 60s inspired top from La Couture de Mam’ – gorgeous fabric!