I wanted to update my summer wardrobe and noticed I didn’t have any off-white sleeveless top.
I found this cute off-white light-weight viscose fabric from Mercerine and thought it would be perfect for the Montavilla top pattern I had bought ages ago, but have never sewn yet.
The Montavilla top pattern
The Montavilla top pattern (also available as a dress) is an original pattern from Sew House Seven Sewing Patterns available from size 00 to 20. It’s an an advanced/ beginner level pattern.
The Montavilla Dress was originally designed to be worn long and loose for comfort in warm temperatures, however, it also looks great belted with the tie for more waist definition. There are also options for a mini dress and a top. The top is somewhat cropped and lands around the high hip. It looks great tucked into a skirt or pants or worn more casually untucked.
Sew House Seven Sewing Patterns
The outer leg of the shoulder dart gathers slightly to form a ruffle while an elastic tunnel gathers the sides at the underarm for an easy and comfortable
fit with no closures to sew.
Fabric requirements for the top:
- 44″ (112 cm) wide fabric: 1 3/8 – 1 5/8 yd (1.3 – 1.5 m) OR
- 54″ (137 cm) wide fabric: 1 1/4 (1.4m).
+ thread, 1/2”/13mm wide elastic (approximately 1/3 yard/ 30cm)
Suggested fabrics:
- For fluid sleeve ruffles: rayon challis, silk challis, sand-washed silk, light-weight woven Tencel.
- For crisp sleeve ruffles: linen, fine cotton lawn, light-weight shirting, cotton ikat.
All seams allowances are included in the pattern
Sewing my Montavilla top
I chose version A, the top on size 12. I was afraid the fabric would be too translucent to be 100% confortable wearing it, so I’ve added a lining with the same fabric, only for the front and the back pieces.
The steps description were pretty clear and I found the shoulder darts easy to do.
Again, like for my Anthea Blouse, choosing a smaller size from the size would probably have been a better choice.🙄 I had to remove 2cm on the sides towards the front piece, and 1 cm towards the back. I also cut some centimeters off the elastic for a more fitted top.
I love the versatility of this top! The off-white color makes it easier to wear it than a pure white top. I think I’ve a bit hacked the pattern making it so fitted but that’s just felt it had to be sewn this way to fit me best. It’s easy to wear with high-waist jeans / trousers, and also perfect with skirts or on top of dresses which cleaveage are a bit too deep to be confortable wearing alone.
The Montavilla pattern (PDF) is available on Sew House Seven website.
Find more inspiration on Instagram #montatop and #montadress.
Atelier Artemis 
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