The Alder top is a simple project that can be easily made in a short amount of time, yet still make you look like you stepped straight off the catwalk! Easily pair this beautiful top with your favorite pair of jeans, high-waisted skirt, or even your comfiest pair of leggings. This gorgeous top is so versatile it can be worn day to night, at work, around town or even to the most casual of gatherings. We made ours with a super comfy ponte knit, however, this top can also be made out of a knit interlock or pique knit. We are sure that once you put it on you will want to live in it!
Fabrics & materials used:
- 1.5 yards of Chartreuse Stretch Ponte Knit
- 1 spool of 850 Bright Sunshine 100m Gutermann Sew All Thread
- MDF082 – The Alder Top Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
The Alder Top – Free Shirt Sewing Pattern
All seam allowances are 1/2″ unless otherwise stated. See chart below for sizing specifications. Note, this specific pattern is available up to a size 30.
Once you have all your pattern pieces cut out and all of your notches are marked, begin by connecting the lapel panel pieces to each other along the outer edge and about 4″ in from the corner of the neck curve, then, leaving the sides where the pieces will be connected to the front bodice open, flip right side out and attach to the main front piece. I used a french seam at the bottom and then the sides I attached flat to avoid too much bulk. I left the facing pieces un-sewn on the sides at first, then I finished them with a zig zag stitch at the seam allowance.
Once the lapel panel pieces have been connected and the front of the shirt has been completed you can go ahead and attach the back of the shirt at the shoulders and sides (Be sure to leave your sleeve opening!). Now let’s work on the collar. Begin by pinning, then sewing the 2 pieces around the top and sides and leaving the bottom open where it will get attached to the neck.
Now, carefully attach the collar at the neck. Once you have attached it on one side you will be able to flip it in and tuck the seams into the closed collar. The edges of the collar where they meet with the lapel panel will be tucked into that opening.
Finally, we will work on the sleeve! Begin by sewing the sleeve pieces together on the sides and on the narrower side to create the cuff, flip right side out, then pin the piece to the opening on the main shirt.
Complete by making a small hem around the bottom of the shirt and presto! Your new favorite top is complete!
27 comments
Neat pattern but for the end result to look its best, “pressing is sewing”.
Agreed! To prevent this fabric from rolling, especially in the collar, I do recommend topstitching the edge to make it lay flat.
Theresa, you read my mind. And is the bodice supposed to have pleats where the placket is inset? Or were those an unintended “feature?” I don’t see those on the schematic…I do love the shape of this top and color of the fabric, though!
I will be honest, it was an unintended feature..but if you sew the bottom of the insert the same way as the sides instead of trying to do a french seam like I did you won’t have that problem.
LOL! No worries! If I had a nickel for every time that happened to me…:-P It seems like a French seam would be awfully bulky and sort of unnecessary for a knit fabric. I sew primarily with knits and am a big fan of topstitching (whee! decorative stitches!) for seams that need to be “nailed down” for whatever reason. Your chartreuse top would look super cool with a pop of magenta or purple topstitching. So many ideas, so little time…
Love the jacket. Hope the pattern works for me.
Has anyone tried this with a woven for the main pieces and stretch for the collar and cuffs?
This is one of the coolest sewing patterns I’ve seen in a long time! What an amazing design!
Thanks! Enjoy!
Very cool. Love the exaggerated shape and collar. Also looks wicked comfy!
Lovely and classy! Thank you!
Great pattern! Are the seam allowances included on the pattern, or should I add them?
Seam allowances of 1/2″ are included 🙂
Wow! So nice! I have for a long time now, an idea growing in my mind for making something like this ;)! This top pattern have many options..Make it longer, as a long coat, in outwear fabrics-
Change the pattern, like cutting it in other ways (as diagonal)
Redesign, make it out of a carpet, sheet, or something else, use all your creativity and fantasy..
So thank you very much for this free pattern and tuourtial. I’m Norwegian and I’m sorry for my bad English ;D
Pernille, I’ve been in the US my whole life, never left, and your English is perfect! 🙂 You are so creative! Love the ideas you posted. Thank you!
Love this pattern! Thanks!! Can you please send me some extra time to make it? 😀
Can this be made with a woven fabric?
Hi Ellen – it can, but you may want to widen the sleeve, or add some buttons to get them around your hands. 🙂
Thank you so much 🙂
Hi. I love this pattern. All the stunning details are just fabulous❤️
Are the top open in the bottom seam? Do you know What i mean??? Im always cold and i Think i would get a lot of cold Wind on my tummy What to do??
Love from Denmark
Hi Janne! Yes, this shirt is fairly open at the hem, and since it’s a ponte we left the edge raw. It doesn’t get too cold though – it’s best paired with a high-waisted skirt or jeans so you can tuck it in a bit! 🙂
Did I read that right? 15 yards of fabric? Seems a bit excessive. Hopefully it’s just a typo.
Hi Antonia! That reads one and a half yards. 🙂
Where is the size chart? There isn’t one on the pattern, which is frustrating.
Hi, there! The size chart is in the blog post above, below the pattern download. 🙂
Thanks. The size chart doesn’t always show up for some reason… Oh well. Joys of technology. I screenshot it so I’ll not lose it again.
Lol sorry about that! Technology is a pain. If it helps, we use the same size chart for all of our patterns, so hopefully you can always find it working on one page!