When you find a pattern you love, it’s always a bit of challenge to make multiples without looking like you have an entire closet of the same dress or top. But, truth be told, I wouldn’t mind having an entire closet of Sienna Shift Dresses to choose from each day. However, I don’t always wear dresses so I wanted to find a way to use this pattern to make a more casual top. Today I want to show you how it turned out. I think it was a great way to help me make the most of a pattern I love!
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To create this top I had to determine where I wanted the final top length to hit and simply cut the pattern skirt piece at this new length. Easy peasy. I knew I wanted it long enough to cover my stomach, and I hate when tops are short upon sitting down, so I made it a tad longer to hit at about my hip. I am happy with this length and wouldn’t make any changes to it if I made it again.
When I was trying to figure out how to style it I reached out on my Instagram Stories and overwhelmingly heard to pair it with colored jeans. So, I ordered a few pairs on Amazon and thought it looked cute with this deep red pair. Good news is, the “jeans” are super stretchy and soft and inexpensive. I was surprised at how nice the quality was for the price tag. The only thing I don’t love is some of the lighter colors I tried really show every little lump and bump. But I love the navy color I picked up and have worn them several times already. They are super long so I cuff them under and they wear really well.
When creating this top I used gingham fabric that I had the thrifted. The quality is not the best and it is super thin. To help give it a little more structure I underlined the entire top, minus the sleeve flounces, with a cream light weight cotton fabric I also thrifted! I also made sure to stabilize the back seam with interfacing before inserting the zipper. The flounces are trimmed in bias tape made from the fabric.
You can find the full pattern review I wrote for the Sienna Shift Dress here.
I hope to have several more of these in my closet to rotate through because goodness knows I can’t say no to a ruffle right now. I love that this pattern can easily be made into a top and I can make the most out of my favorite sewing patterns. Until next time,
Happy Sewing