Last year I was sent some of this beautiful Lady McElroy fabric to review from Sew Loco. I made this top and took photos in the old house but then life happened and Lucy took a little break to have a baby! She’s back now and Sew Loco has reopened with 20% off all fabrics all this weekend with the code SUMMER20 . So I am excited to finally share this make with you!
It’s an absolutely gorgeous Lady McElroy Ponte Roma and as soon as I saw it I knew it was supposed to be this top – the Named Clothing Sointu Robe, especially as the pattern is specifically written for Ponte Roma fabrics – it was like a match made in heaven! I made the size UK10/12 based on my measurements and from looking at the pattern pieces I felt a bit worried it would look too oversized. I do really love the sample pictures though so I decided to trust the pattern and I’m glad I did! The end result feels comfortable and stylish, the belted waist gives the top enough shaping for the pattern to feel both dramatic and fitted.
I used my overlocker for much of the construction but the neckline is bias bound so I used my sewing machine for that. I used a walking foot and went slowly and carefully and am really pleased with how flat it sits – I made my own knit bias by cutting a 3cm strip of jersey parallel with the selvedge to reduce the stretch. I decided to use a scrap of turquoise jersey from my stash for this as the Ponte Roma is quite thick and I felt like it would add too much bulk when folded over three times.
The fabric feels weighty in hand, but still has a beautiful drape. I measured it before and after prewashing and am pleased to report I didn’t have any shrinkage at all! It also came out of the machine with zero creases so I am fairly confident I won’t ever have to iron the finished top – a BIG win in my book! It also has an interesting honeycomb texture which I have tried to capture in the photos and somehow gives the finished garment a luxurious feel.
I have styled the top with jeans and boots as I liked to contradict the luxurious top with a casual silhouette, however, I definitely think I need to make a solid colour pencil skirt to wear with it like Named Clothing have on the pattern cover. I think it would transition beautifully into evening with a pencil skirt and heels. Day and night, I know this top is going to get a lot of wear!
I am so excited to see Sew Loco are back! Don’t forget the code SUMMER20 if you decide to treat yourself this weekend!
Disclaimer: ⭐️Fabric was provided free of charge in exchange for a review. I chose the fabric and what to make with it. All opinions are totally my own, and I wouldn’t recommend something I didn’t like!
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