Anthropologie Knock Off Striped Interlude Top

I’ve been doing some sewing for me! Woohooo!

So I’ve been wanting to do a little more apparel sewing this year. It’s something I used to do – ages ago – and I got out of the habit. But one of my goals this year is to get back into it a little and work on my skiiillllllz. So.

I’ve started with a little knock off top – this Anthropologie Striped Interlude Top!

Isn’t it fun?! I love how casual and cute it is. Perfect for pairing with a little tank top and some jeans for this summer.

It mixes this pretty rayon fabric with a fun knit stripe, and finishes the whole thing off with some crochet lace around the hem. That’s totally my favorite part.

Here’s the inspiration top from Anthro:

So are you ready for a little tutorial?

I used about 3/4″ yard of the knit and about 3/4″ of a yard of the rayon – but your fabric amounts will depend on the fabrics you use and the size you need.

The top is based on one of my favorite new patterns – the Casual Lady by Andrea from The Train to Crazy and Go To Patterns.

Andrea did a fabulous job with this pattern. The instructions are super easy to follow and the style is so fun and cute! Andrea is also donating ALL of the proceeds from the sale of this pattern to the She’s Worth It campaign – which helps provide funds to rescue women and girls from sex trafficking. You can read more about that here.

I started with the basic top pattern and tweaked it just a little.

To the shoulder seam of the top I added just a little length and lowered the armhole. I also shortened the pattern since I’d be adding the lace to the hem.

If you want, you can use a top you own as a guide, just to help you decide where you’d like the arm to be.
I did the same on the back, with a little more curve to the armhole.

For the top front, I drew a straight line from shoulder to hem about 2″ from the neck edge on the right side. Cut out a piece of knit the size of the small piece left on the bodice, and a contrasting fabric for the remainder of the top. Cut the back out of the same fabric as the small bodice piece.

Sew this front seam together. I found the fabrics didn’t pucker as much when the knit was on the bottom of the seam.

Cut out two small rectangles of the contrast print, 4 1/4″ x 4 1/2″. Sew the pieces right sides together around all four sides, but leave a small opening at the bottom for turning.
Clip your corners and turn right side out. Press.

Sew an edge stitch just inside the fold along the top, then another 1/4″ from the stitching.

Decide on your pocket placement (hold the front up to you and place pocket on the side with the seam so it overlaps just a bit.) Pin the pocket in place, then sew around the sides and bottom with the two edge stitching seams.

Match up the shoulder seams and sew them, right sides together.
(Just pretend the pocket is already on here k?)

Measure the neckline of the top. Cut a piece of your knit against the grain, 1″ x the neckline measurement, minus 1″.

Sew the binding in half and press the seam open.

Mark the center of the binding opposite the seam, then the halfway points between those marks. Do the same on the top.

Pin the binding to the neck of the top, right sides together.

Sew the binding on with a 3/8″ seam allowance. Fold the binding to the back of the neckline over the seam allowance and pin in place.

Sew the binding in place on the front side of the top, in the “ditch”. So you’ll be sewing inside the seam of the top/binding. Make sure that the binding on the wrong side is sewn down all the way around.

Trim the edge of the binding on the inside of the op close to the seam.

Repeat the binding process for each of the arm holes.

Sew up your side seams.

Try on the top and check your length. If you need to, trim off a little so the lace is where you’d like it.

Measure the bottom of the top and cut your lace piece 1″ smaller. Sew the lace together to make a tube.

Sew the lace to the bottom of the top. Press the seam towards the top and topstitch the seam.

And that’s it!! So fun right?? Such a cute little top for summer.

Here’s the back. I think the lace is such a fun contrast with the knit!

Here’s the link again for the pattern – and while you are there look around! There are soooo many cute patterns there – for women, kids, and your home!

Linking up at Sunday Scoop, Today’s Creative Blog, Met Monday, Tutorials & Tips Tuesday, Shabby Creek Cottage, My Repurposed Life, 504 Main, The Scoop, and the other fabulous parties on the party page – make sure you check them out!