Get ready to be utterly charmed by our latest free sewing pattern: The Georgina Top! With the perfect amount of cottagecore charm, a snug bodice, and perfectly voluminous sleeves, this top is about to become your next obsession. Sew this with tweed and wear with a high waisted skirt for a dreamy rustic fall outfit, or use suiting with a matching circle skirt for a modernized take on Christian Dior’s New Look. 

The Georgina Top is essentially a 2023 version of an 18th century women’s jacket, and seeing how Halloween is right around the corner, this top could lend itself to lots of wonderful costumes! 

• • Change the shape of the neckline and sew out of wool or linen to create an Outlander or Poldark inspired look. Pair with a gathered maxi skirt.
  • Use faux leather and omit the sleeves for a pirate costume. Sew our Camellia Peasant Blouse to wear underneath and off the shoulders. Pair with a few layers of different gathered length skirts. Or wear with pants! 
  • Use richly textured fabric such as velvet or a chunky tweed, and create a Hocus Pocus inspired look with gathered skirts. Distress well for that classic Sanderson Sister look. 
  • Pair with the Rodanthe Dress, to create a Disney Princess look à la Cinderella, Rapunzel, or Sleeping Beauty. 

Purchase Materials Used Below:

• 2 yards of Mood Exclusive Carlos Shadow Purple Stretch Cotton Sateen
• 2 yards of Red and Purple Bi-color Floral Jacquard Lining
• 1 Spool 944 Frosty Purple 100m Gutermann Sew All Thread
• 3 yards of Dark Plum Double Face Velvet Ribbon 
• MDF354 – The Georgina Top Sewing Pattern (free download below!)

Alternative Recommended Fabrics:

• Polyester Twill 
• Brocade
• Linen
• Velvet

This top does not require boning, however if you want some extra shaping, you can always add it at the side seams! If you’re going for that fully corseted look, this would look great over the Spearmint Corset. 

How to sew the bodice:

1 – Right sides together (RST), sew the back center to the back side at the curved edges. When placed RST, the curves will be going in the opposite direction, so pin well and take your time. Clip the curves, trim the seam allowance, and press well. 

2 – Repeat with the front side and front center. Press well. 

You should now have a complete back bodice, and two front bodices.

How to sew the sleeves:

1 – Sew a line of gathering stitches at the top edge of each sleeve, between the gathering notches indicated on the pattern.

2 – RST, sew the sleeve together at the inner seam. Press well. Repeat with the other sleeve. 

3 – Gather the top edge of the sleeve, and then pin the sleeves onto the bodice’s armscye, RST. Match the notches on the sleeve to the seams on the front and back bodice. Adjust the gathers if needed. 

4 – Sew the sleeves to the bodice, and press. 

Repeat steps 1-4 with the lining. 

How to attach the peplum:

1 – Align the top edge of the peplum with the bottom edge of the bodice, RST. Pin, sew, and press. Repeat with the lining, only this time, leave about 6” free at the center back waist so we can bag out the lining.

How to bag out the lining:

1 – Place the lining against the outer, RST. Pin together along the edge, as indicated above, and sew. Clip the corners and trim the seam allowance. 

2 – Bring the top right side out, by pulling it through the opening at the very bottom. Press the seam allowance towards the lining. 

3 – Understitch the lining where you’ve just sewn in step 1, stopping an inch away from each stitched end. This will take some patience, as you’re sewing through the opening at the bottom. You’ll need to shift things around as you sew, but you can do it! 

4 – Bring the top wrong side out again, and close up the bottom edge of the peplum. 

Determine what kind of arm hem finishing you want. If you want a visible casing for the elastic, read below. If you want more of a bubble look, as seen on the garment, cut 1” off the bottom of each sleeve lining, then continue onto step 5.

If you’re sewing a visible casing for the elastic, do the following steps before moving onto the next section:

• Bring the top right side out, this time using the opening at the center back. Put the sleeve linings into the outer sleeves, and pin. Baste stitch along the outer edges, ¼” from the raw edge, to secure the two layers together.
• Double fold the raw edge under, ¼” on each fold. Sew, leaving 1” open to insert the elastic.
• Insert the elastic in the opening. Sew the elastic ends closed, and then finish sewing the hem.

5 – Pull the sleeve lining and outer apart, and lay flat. Make sure the sleeves aren’t twisted.

6 – Pinch and pin the lining and sleeve RST at the cuff.

7 – Sew together, around the entire cuff.

8 – Mark the quarter sections of the sleeve with pins. 

9 – Cut elastic to your desired length, and mark the quarter section with pins.

10 – Switch over to a zig zag stitch on your machine, and adjust the width to fit your elastic.  Sew the elastic right on top of the seam you just sewed in step 7. Stretch the elastic as you sew, using the pins on the cuff and elastic to determine how much stretch is needed.

11 – Bring the top right side out, this time using the opening in the lining at the center back. Hand stitch the lining closed.

Add the eyelets or grommets and you’re done! Use the instructions provided with your tools, if needed.