Wrap Top Vondel

Have you seen the latest pattern from Meghann at Halfmoon Atelier? It’s so fabulous! It’s the wrap top VONDEL and it’s got all the classic feminine bits but somehow manages to not get overly girl-y. I made the wrap top; it’s also a dress. In fact, the pattern comes as a dress in two different lengths (short or midi length) or a top. I’m planning on making a wrap dress next but I’m going to break the rules a bit and make an ankle length dress. Eee!

I was really lucky to be a pattern tester for Meghann and while it’s far too cold to wear this top outside right now, I can’t wait to throw it on when I’m on vacation this April.  Won’t this look amazing on a beach in Mexico?! Ah yes. Yes it will.

As is often the case with Halfmoon Atelier patterns, the wrap top VONDEL has got a sexy easy, Parisian way about it.

I made my tester version in a lightweight cotton lawn fabric from Jones and Vandemeer that I bought years ago.  I had just enough fabric leftover from making this sweatshirt. Well, just enough to make it work. Technically I didn’t actually have enough. Parts of the wrap-around tie and the inside facings are actually made of a pure black rayon-cotton blend but you can’t even tell! I was very pleased with myself.

The key details with this sweet top are the gathers on the front and the lovely scooped yoke with gathers at the back. The arm lengths (there are three options) are also fun and unconventional.  I chose the arm band length, which is probably closest to a cap sleeve but there is also a 3/4 length sleeve and a 7/8 length. I think the unexpected lengths give the top a bit of an eye-catching (but I don’t know why it’s eye-catching it’s so subtle) surprise. I’m very happy with how well this top pairs with my ankle length Lander pants!  Hooray for handmade wardrobe. You can’t see it but I’m also wearing my classic black espadrilles.  It thrills me to no end to have a head to toe (literal toe!) handmade outfit. Ah, love!

It came together relatively easily. It is labeled as intermediate and there are definitely intermediate aspects of its construction but don’t let that scare you.  It’s got French seams, a burrito method for the back neck and the attachment of binding to the front neckline. All of which are so fabulous to learn and Meghann’s instructions definitely walk you through all the steps.  It’s the kind of pattern that requires you work step-by-step the first time you make it. Sometimes that is hard for me, I kind of want to bounce three steps ahead and speed things up.  But, the time it takes is SO worth it and then the next time you make it you can go wild. Wild!

Of course, if you have a keen eye you know that I did go wild and used the wrap top VONDEL pattern as part of the pattern mash that created the crazy striped track suit sweatshirt! I really didn’t realize just how much I love a wrap front. Now I can’t stop. Isn’t that just the rabbit hole of sewing?

Note: I was given this pattern for my work as a pattern tester. My opinions about it are all my own.