The Silva Top – Free Sewing Pattern

For those of you who like to show some skin, the Silva Top is perfect for you and it’s easy to sew! Best in a delicate lace, it’s great for that summer gathering, rooftop bar, or going out. Want to add a bit of modesty? No problem! Jump on the layering trend and wear the lace top on top of another shirt!

Purchase Materials Used Below:

• 1 panel White Delicate Chantilly Lace
  • Note: this fabric comes in a 3-yard piece. If using a fabric sold by the yard, you’ll likely only need 1-1.5 yards.
• 1/2 yard Premium Suzie Nude Polyester 4-Ply Crepe
• 20 White 500m Gutermann Sew All Thread
• 5019 White 10m Gutermann Elastic Thread
• MDF252 – The Silva Top Sewing Pattern (free download below!)

Alternative Recommended Fabrics:

• Lace 
• Charmeuse
• Linen 
• Voile

Note: all seams used here for this top are French seams.

Tip: mark an X with your pins so you don’t forget what side is the right side. 

Step 1

Place your pattern pieces on the lace fabric. If you want your lace to match, place your pieces side-by-side on the fabric.

Note: for the ones that are on the fold, you will have to find where the lace repeats and place it there. 

Step 2

Cut out all your pieces. Place pins where the notches are. 

Step 3

Lay all your pieces on your table like so.

Step 4

Using French seams, start sewing the top row of the bodice. Pin lining to bust pieces and sew as if the lace and lining are one layer. I just pinned it; you can also stay stitch around the piece if you like.

*Note: I did not press the seams with an iron, just to make sure there would not be any potential melting. 

Step 5

Attach Front Bust to Side Front Bust. Sew wrong sides together, trim, and sew again to create your French seam. 

Step 6

Matching the notches, sew the Side Front Bust to the Upper Side Back.  

Step 7

Matching notches, sew Lower Center Front to Lower Side Front. 

Step 8

Matching notches, sew Lower Side Front to Lower Side Back. 

Step 9

Attach the lower portion of your bodice to the upper portion, matching at seams.

*Note: make sure the seams are hand-pressed away from the Center Front. 

Step 10

Change your bobbin to the elastic thread. Find the seam line of your Center Back panel and mark a pin in it. From there, start sewing your shirring 1/4″ apart.

*Note: since lace fabric has a lot of gaps, I did not use any marking materials. I used the presser foot as a guide to make the shirring perfect. Sew a row of stitching on the side to secure the ends of the shirring. 

For tips on shirring, check out this video tutorial!

Step 11

Sew the back panel to the rest of the bodice. 

Step 12

Now you are ready for the top edge hem. Use a rolled method and pin all around. Hand sew the hem all the way around. If also using a lace, trim 1/4in off the top edge of the back panel to match the rest of the hem around the bodice. (The top of the back will be a raw edge.) 

Step 13

Create the straps by folding in the edges like a bias binding technique, pin, and sew straight down.

Step 14

Fold the top points down in the front 1/2″ and pin. Get your strap, place it underneath the folded edge, pin, then topstitch. 

Step 15

Sew the back end of the straps along the back seams by the shirring.  (Make sure not to twist the straps.)