Sewn: Sew News Bala Wrap Top

After recently seeing and loving the Bala top that SharonSews made, I bought the PDF pattern pack (Plush) ($14.99) from Sew News myself. I am not a big fan of PDF patterns - they are a bit of a faff to put together, but it was just about tolerable to create a top.

The Bala top is super easy to sew and has minimal pieces. 

Anyway, I didn't want to purchase any more fabric for this top and I thought I would have just about fabric left over from the trousers I made earlier this year. The pattern suggests lightweight fabric such as double gauze but my fabric is a medium weight woven stretch from Minerva. It is a great fabric to sew actually. I had to do a little pattern matching on the tie facings to fit the fabric and the sleeves are constructed with some black polycotton as there was just not enough to finish it.

I sewed a size Small, based on my bust measurement, and it was a good fit.

As mentioned earlier, the construction was very simple and I sewed it using both my overlocker and sewing machine. The instructions are very straightforward - which is a treat after my last few makes being from the Burda Magazine (which at times I find not very detailed).

There are two things that I would like to change:

• Firstly the length - I just feel it could be a little longer to feel comfortable (maybe it's because I like things to disguise my problem stomach area). I currently wear it with a little vest top underneath.
• Secondly the front neck is a little too high and I feel like I am constantly adjusting it so as not to choke myself. So, I will be scooping this out a little for comfort.

However, I am happy with the overall sew and I think I may also make the Banff Dolman Sweater from the same pattern pack. I may well have a go in some lighter weight fabric for a summer version.

Love Mrs Jones x