It may be a tad optimistic, what with a historic storm hitting us on the east coast just last week, but my mind is already on spring. I cannot wait for gorgeous prints and flowy blouses that won’t be totally wasted under layers of cardigans and coats. The Karri Top joins me in my quest to prematurely populate my wardrobe with spring pieces. This free sewing pattern features long tulip sleeves, an adorable peplum silhouette, and a tie at the waist to cinch it all together. Try it out with your favorite cotton print or go in an elegant direction with linen or silk!
Purchase Materials Used Below:
- 2 yards Mood Exclusive Abstract Concepts Cotton Voile
- 1 pkg Dritz Size 2 Nickel Hook & Eyes
- Optional: Wrights Oyster 1/2″ Extra Wide Double Fold Bias Tape
- MDF233 – The Karri Top Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
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.
First, sew the bust darts onto the front panel of your bodice following the guides on your pattern. Press the darts downward.
Attach the front and back of your bodice at the shoulders and side seams. To keep things neat, I recommend French seams. Press each seam toward the back of the garment.
Clip the center back of your shirt 3.5″ down from the top edge on either side. Give this 3.5″ a 1/4″ rolled hem and press. Finish the remainder of your center back with a French seam and press.
Your neckline can be finished with a 1/4″ rolled hem; or by sewing some bias tape along the face, folding to the wrong side to hide the raw edges, and stitching into place. Press neckline when complete.
Before creating your sleeve, give the large outer curve (shown below in red) a small rolled hem. Your sleeve is then created by overlapping the pointed tip with the curved guide on your pattern piece. The thinnest portion of your sleeve, marked below but the dotted line, is the inseam and can be aligned with the side seam of your shirt when setting the sleeves into the armscye.
Create your peplum, attaching the two panels at the sides using a French seam. Press your seams and then add your peplum at the waist of your blouse. I used a French seam here as well, but be careful as you sew since the peplum has a slight curve.
Finish off the bottom of your shirt with a 1/4″ rolled hem.
Lastly, fold your belt in half along the length, faces together, and stitch along the raw edges. Leave 2″-3″ open along the long edge, turn the belt right side out, and press. Slip-stitch the opening closed to complete.
Will you be giving the Karri Top a try? Let me know what print you’re considering in the comments below!
31 comments
Yes I will loved the print you ysed, but will try a black and white design pattern
Dank je wel voor het patroon
I’ve made this top twice and love it, easy to sew and always gets complements. I hacked the sleeves onto a summer dress and it looks fantastic. Second top I turned into V neck and that looks fantastic too. One of the most versatile patterns I’ve used
Hi Rose, we’re so glad you love it! It really is a great pattern, isn’t it? I’m thrilled that you’ve adapted it for a few different projects. 🙂
Muy linda y fresca la blusa
This is such a lovely blouse! Is this pattern suitable to elongate/alter the peplum such that it becomes a dress?
Hi Kathy, that would be gorgeous! I wonder if it might be easier to pair the top part of this pattern with the skirt of the Nyssa?
Gracias por compartir los patrones
Saludos desde Perú
Made this top out of a silk liberty print
Looks wonderful and is extremely comfortable.
Tempeted to make this top into a summer dress
Very cute!
I love the shape of this and have a beautiful mustard floral cotton which I think will look amazing made up. Nervous about those sleeves though! Will download the pattern and see if I can figure it out. While I love the print you’ve used, it’s the difficult to see the details of the steps when your eye is distracted by the pattern x
thank you for the free pattern
I already imagine this pattern with some of my fabbrics. Thank you for sharing.
I love this pattern and will be creating it in a khaki green and white fabric from my fabric collection.
Thank you so much for sharing this pattern.
merci pour ce patron ,je vais le faire pour l’anniversaire de ma fille
Dear Courtney,
Once again you have put out a great pattern. I sent the pictures to info mood so you can see what I made. I love this top and although it took me a bit of concentration to figure out the sleeves, they are the best part of the top! I used two prints and a somewhat sheer fabric and the results were fabulous. I think I will make this again and again. Thank you for an easy to make pattern and a great look for spring! cakdesigns
Merci beaucoup pour le partage de vos patrons.
THANK YOU MOOD FOR THE FREE PATTERN. IT LOOKS AMAZING! I LOVE THE FABRIC AS WELL!
I love these sleeves, but I have a big belly and the belt would not work for me. But it looks like I don’t have to have it, right?
Hi, Demity! Yes, you can definitely skip the belt if you’d prefer – it’ll just be a basic peplum then. 🙂
You can also sew some long darts in the front to take in a bit of fullness.
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Yes I will be giving it a try, I think I’ll use a double gauze fabric i previously purchased from Mood..
Beautiful sleeve concept !
I’ve fallen for #319953 , the yellow gray pink and cheetah silk , and was looking for a top to showcase the print . Do you think that fabric would work well with this pattern ?
Oooh, gorgeous! It would be a little translucent so you may want to wear something beneath it or line it, but the fabric would drape very nicely for this pattern. 🙂
Thank you
Thank you. I absolutely LOVE this pattern. Does it have a lot of ease? I’m wondering about the finished measurements for the bust particularly.
Thank you very much for sharing this pattern I made this summer. A bit difficult to understand how to sew the sleeves but the result is fantastic. I will do it again.
I made this today! I used a lightweight ivory cotton with an orange print. I had a heck of a time figuring out the sleeves, but somehow I managed to get them right. It’s not perfect, but it looks pretty good and I learned so much. Thank you for these wonderful free patterns!
I just finished this blouse is a lightweight cotton print – floral on a mustard background. I struggled a bit figuring out how to do the sleeve overlap but once I got that right, I was able to insert them without a hitch.
This is one of the most successful projects I have ever sewn. It fits me beautifully. The peplum and sleeves float and the simple lines make the floral print absolutely pop!
I already know what fabric I will use for the next blouse.
Thank you for sharing this pattern!
Amy
Hello, I just want to confirm part of the pattern for those who have made it. Is the seam allowance of 1/2 inches included in the pattern or do I have to add it? I like to double check as some patterns don’t say if it includes it and I hate assuming that it does. I can’t wait to make this blouse out of my fabrics!
Hi, Rebecca! The 1/2″ is already included. 🙂