Sew To Grow: Bondi Top

I stumbled upon Lindsey and the Sew To Grow pattern brand when I was searching for some wide leg pant patterns. Her design style is amazing – patterns that are stylish, flattering and simple to make no matter what skill level you are. You can imagine my little squeals of delight when I finally met Lindsey in person and attended one of her Fit to Flatter presentations at the Sydney Quilt Expo. She is gorgeous inside and out and so giving in all that she does. Her teaching is extraordinary – making alterations for a flattering finish to garment sewing is a breeze with Lindsey’s help! I’m so thrilled to call Lindsey a friend {and kinda stoked I can call out to her when I need help!}.

I always have great intentions of sewing up garments for myself – I pick fabrics and patterns and throw myself guns-blazing into this romantic view of an afternoon sewing for myself. I always faltered though, when it came to measuring myself and sorting {sometimes altering} pattern pieces to give myself an extra couple of inches around the bust, and an extra couple of inches in length. This step frightened me and the fabric and the pattern and the good intention were all put away in the cupboard. Quilts are easy right?! You don’t have to wear them, and they don’t have to fit you around the hip area! 😉

Lindsey takes your hand and walks you through all the scary stuff. She teaches bust adjustments, and offers patterns from smaller sizes through to larger ones {for girls like me with shoulders, boobs, mummy-tummy’s and hips!} in a complete package. The patterns are written beautifully, and allow you to add those extra inches in length and alter to fit perfectly. Lindsey took my complete measurements, and I have them pinned to my noticeboard and keyed in my phone for when I’m pattern-buying out-and-about.

I made the Bondi Top using the most gorgeous Chambray and contrasting Liberty print {Wiltshire Fluo from Ava & Neve}. I am in LOVE with this pattern; it literally took me an hour and half to cut, sew and finish this top and the result takes my breath away. It will be a staple piece in my wardrobe, and I’m planning so many more just like it! I love the loose fit of this design, and the options for fabrics and contrasting pieces is amazing. Apologies in advance for my less-than-perfect garment modelling attempt! 😉

The trickiest part of this piece is finishing the neckline, but with a load of pins and the guidance of Lindsey’s video tutorial it turned out beautifully. I opted to purchase bias binding as opposed to making my own, purely for time. Lindsey offers a tutorial for making your own though for that perfect finish to your tops. My next selfish Sew To Grow sewing will be the Flatter me Frock – I’m excited to get started, and if it’s anything like this one I’ll have one for each day of the school week! 😉

Get someone to measure you up – adjust the measurements over time if they change {yay you if they get smaller!}, grab your favourite Sew To Grow pattern and watch the online video tutorials to step you through piece by piece to creating a garment that looks amazing and was so simple {and stress-free!} to make.  Lindsey has been so generous in offering a coupon code to get your Sew to Grow patterns for 10% off in her store. Simply enter code LIVELOVESEW at the checkout to redeem.

We are also so excited to offer one lucky reader a copy of this awesome Bondi Top pattern – entries valid for Australian and International readers and will close at 6pm (AEST) Friday 6th January 2017.

To enter:

  1. Head to Sew to Grow and sign up to Lindsey’s newsletter {where you’ll get up to date info on new patterns and awesome online tutorials}
  2. Leave a comment on this post telling us what fabric combination you’d use for your Bondi Top.

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