Hacked Moneta Top

Anyone who reads my blog will know that I’m a huge fan of the Moneta Pattern by Colette Patterns. I have made several now ( here and here) and have plans to make many more. It’s a really quick pattern, it’s made for jersey so makes great dresses for throwing on and packing for holidays. It’s a really flattering shape and I genuinely think it suits most people. Therefore, when it comes to hacking an Indie pattern, how could I not chose this to get creative with?!

I went to Sew Up North a few weeks a go and as part of the fabric swap I got this blue jersey from Ali of Thimberlina and although I’m trying to shake it, I tend to think of a Moneta each time I see jersey! So, I thought I would use this as a hack and make a top instead.

I cut the bodice pieces as normal (*TIP: I always add an inch to the inside shoulder because otherwise the neckline is wide and you tend to be peeking your bra straps at everyone and then used the top of the skirt pieces and cut shorted versions of the skirt. I cut much shorter sleeves and then cut two longer rectangles with the fabric I had remaining, which wasn’t much at this point.

I made the bodice up as normal and then measured the bottom of the sleeve pieces. I cut clear elastic, in the same way as the pattern tells you to gather the waist, and I stretched this along the two rectangles which i had cut and hem. I then attached these gathered pieces to the bottom of the sleeve pieces and sewed the bodice up. I just adds a bit more detail to the sleeves for me, I didn’t want it so gathered that I looked ridiculous!

It was a very windy photo shoot!

I then attached the bottom pieces as normal – using clear elastic to gather it and hemmed it. I really please with the length of it – I wasn’t sure that it would be as flattering as a top but I think it is -what do you think?!

 I’m also really pleased with the placement of the pattern in the fabric on this – I think it works out really well, which I didn’t think would happen considering I didn’t have loads to play with. I have managed to get this from the top perfectly!