When the new Pink and Neon Fizz arrived from Merchant & Mills I knew I wanted to colourblock with it immediately! The Florence top top caught my eye as I love the back button detail and the gathered bottom half. This was a bit of a cheat colourblock project as I didn't actually have to make any new seam lines or anything myself but still adds a fun effect to the overall look of the top.
I find the patterns pretty easy to follow, I wouldn't recommend Merchant & Mills patterns to absolute 100% beginner sewists only because their instructions don't hold your hand as much as some other indie pattern designers but definately still appropriate for beginners who have a few projects already under their belt.
You can see here that I did a really poor job of the gathering. Like I would give myself a C- 😅. To be honest, I only did two lines of gathering threads not 3 and maybe that's what killed it for me. I definately need to improve on this skill.
I love the set in sleeves, after my latest Sagebrush top which its massive sleeves I was happy to have something a little more modest. I also love the curve of the gathered part - how its low on the front of the top and goes up high on the back, it such a cute detail.
The back gathers are much better! But another mistake which thankfully is hidden is that I totally screwed up my first row of buttonholes, they were just not placed in the right position and so I just re-did them on the other side and now thankfully the wonky ones are hidden.
The little buttons are so cheery, I love this turquoise colour as they add yet another pop of colour to this fun top. They are by a brand called "butttons by eto" and are made in NSW in an off grid studio! How cool is that? We stock a wide range of colours in these fab buttons.
The fabric is a linen/cotton blend which just made it a dream to sew up.
Here's another version (photo is by Merchant & Mills) sewn up in a Suzy Stripe which we also stock.
Overall a delightful sew and I've worn this top heaps. Its going to get lots of wear this Summer.
Stitch Summary
Pattern:
Florence Top by Merchant & Mills
Fabric:
Merchant & Mills Neon Fizz and Pink Fizz Linen/Cotton.
Notions:
Buttons by ETO
Size Cut:
6 (warning, arm holes are smallish, check finished garment measurements)
Mods:
Added 2 inches to the hem so it wasn't so cropped
Would I make it again?
Yes, I'd like to make another version and improve on my gathering. Id love to do one in some of our two-tone tencel twill.
Uh-oh moments
Have I mentioned the gathering?
Stitching Skill Up
This pattern will help you practice the following skills:
- buttonholes & buttons
- gathering
- setting in sleeves