For my second blog post for Jenny Stitches, I have chosen to make the Honey Top by Fibre Mood. This is a super-cute boxy top with the option to add ruffles galore, both around the collar and over the front button placket. The sleeves are finished with long ties which can either be left long or tied in a fancy bow. Jenny printed out the pattern for me on her in-house A0 printer (which was very speedily delivered!) and I chose the most beautiful fabrics by Fabric Godmother to sew the project with. What could possibly go wrong, right?
Well… this was the first time I’d sewn a Fibre Mood project and I don’t think I’d be overstating the case if I said it’s been an EPIC make!! I have experienced every emotion – joy, despair, frustration, anger, elation etc etc and this was entirely down to my difficulty in following the instructions. None of the techniques used in the pattern were in any way particularly complicated, but my goodness the instructions had me scratching my head at times! For example, I literally spent 3 evenings trying to work out what to do with the button placket and, I may be completely wrong, but I am convinced the diagram is the wrong way around!
However, on the plus side, I do feel that having conquered this pattern, that I could now take over the world! I have never struggled with a pattern as much as this, but there was an immense satisfaction each time I managed to master another step. I’m also pretty sure that if I were to make this top again, it would be so much easier! The only change I made to the pattern was to add 5cm to the length, because I’d read a few comments about it being short in the body, and for me this extra length was definitely needed.
I chose to use two beautiful Fabric Godmother cotton lawns from Jenny’s shop for this project, the Montpellier for the main body of the top, and the Richmond for the collar ruffles and sleeve ties. The Montpellier has a retro feel to the design, and I love the vibrancy of the pink and bright green colours together, whilst the Richmond features ‘fresh foliage and pretty blossom,’ again in striking colours. Both fabrics were luscious to work with, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t spend a fair amount of time staring at them and stroking them when they arrived (perfectly normal behaviour for a sewist!).
Overall, this has been a great project. Whilst the journey to get to this point has been along a somewhat bumpy road, I am absolutely delighted with my finished Honey Top and will wear it with pride. We’re so spoilt with so many wonderful indie patterns that hold our hand every step of the way, it’s sometimes a bit of a shock to find a pattern that tests us, but the joy of facing a challenge, is reaching your goal and realising how much you’ve learnt along the way! It definitely hasn’t put me off Fibre Mood patterns, as I think their designs are so beautiful and unique, but I think I’ll be a little more prepared next time to know what to expect!
Jenny Says:
"It was really interesting to read about Beth's rollercoaster journey making this top! Every now and then, there's a pattern that really makes you scratch your head but thankfully in this case it was worth the effort! Beth's blouse really suits her and is a creative use of this unusual print."
Inspired to make your own version? Here's what you'll need:
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| Pattern : Fibremood Honey, can be purchased directly from the designer here and printed using my A0 pattern printing service. | Fabric : Fabric Godmother Montpellier Cotton Lawn (Beth also used a small amount of the Fabric Godmother Richmond Lawn as her accent fabric). |