Fall in Love With Juliette: A Perfectly Ruffled Top

Minerva has done it again. This is yet another fantastic exclusive viscose challis featuring a perfect colour palette for fall combined with a delicate abstract floral design. Introducing Orchid Spray.

This is the Juliette top, a new pattern release from Chut Charlotte. It is an A-symmetrical ruffled blouse design that offers several different styling options.

Juliette is a fun, easy to sew asymmetrical top that offers several options that can combined in creative ways. It can be made with or without this wonderful bottom ruffle and a V or round neckline. The sleeve pattern pieces can be combined in lots of different ways: flared, gathered or straight, with a variety of lengths. There is even a fun pattern piece to appliqué a heart on the front. The options offer a multitude of ways to create flowy, stylish tops for any season.

I wanted a top that really featured the drape and design elements of this viscose challis so I chose to add the ruffle. I hacked the sleeve to create a gathered sleeve at the shoulder with a slimmer fitting straight sleeve. To create the gathered sleeve at the shoulder, I cut out one size larger then gathered it between the front and back notches. It worked really well and adds just a touch of gather that echos the gathered ruffle. The only other adjustment I made was to lengthen the bodice by 1.5" so it would hit at my natural waist.

The pattern was originally designed to have front and back facing with a back placket and a tie back. I wanted something more minimalist so after making sure that the neck opening was large enough to pull over my head I decided to create bias binding to bind the neckline Instead. The pattern comes with an elastic casing to create a gathered cuff sleeve which is the perfect size for the bias binding. I simply laid it out at a 45 degree angle and voila, I had a strip long enough to easily fit around the neckline. I love the look of a matching fabric binding. This challis is the perfect weight to create bias binding that adds a bit of interest to the neckline without any bulk. I think you could also bind the arm holes to create a sleeveless version for Spring and Summer. The options really are endless which makes it a versatile pattern to own.

I love the fall colours and orchid design incorporated into this challis. It makes a perfect choice for a transitional top as it won't be too warm. As the weather cools, it will be a great staple for layering under a longer coat or gilet, or wearing with a cropped jacket to allow the ruffle to peak out the bottom adding yet another creative layering option.

I highly recommend both this exclusive Orchid Spray fabric and the Juliette pattern.

You can use both to add a creative flare to your to fall wardrobe.

After all… there is Sew Much To Design

Happy Sewing,

Lou Sheffer

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