a sleeveless cowl summer top | NewLook Patterns 6108

With a hot, humid Summer on the horizon, a sleeveless top always suits. Particularly a sleeveless cowl top that has an easy-going, easy-wearing, yet classic look that can be dressed up or down.

This top works well worn with the hardworking white Ottobre pants, as I did this hot day.....

....or layered with a jacket or cardi.  On our 90+ degree F days, it's nice to have a lightweight cardi to guard against the freezing air conditioning. 

This particular top was made specifically to go with the recently made Megan Nielsen Axel Skirt I blogged about here.  After making this super cute form-fitting skirt, there was nary a top in my closet that would well with the skirt.  Wanting to honor the skirt, realized I had enough material left over to make a top and one thing led to another upon deciding this sleeveless cowl top might work.  And it works perfectly all nice and tucked in and gives this ensemble of separates more of a one-piece 'dress' look.

When I first made this top in 2013,  I cut a size 8 and sewed a 1/4"/serged seam.... so that's what I did here too..... because I had actually cut the pattern sheet, something I rarely do now.  What's curious to me, is that I never would've cut an 8 today as according to the pattern envelope's measurements I should be wearing a size 12 sewing a 5/8" seam.  Yet this top fits perfectly.  Anything larger would be too large and not give me this type of 'fit'.  So sometimes not knowing what you are doing is a good thing?!  :)  By the way, all that draping down at the back waist does not bother me a bit.  Probably need a sway back adjustment, but this is a little fun top that was a quick and simple make.  Didn't want to make a mountain out of a mole hill with this project.  This project takes about an afternoon or two.

NewLook Pattern 6108 has a couple of different top variations.  I made View C.  Thinking I might make view A for this summer too.

 Front - right side out

 Front - inside out to show the panel that makes the cowl

A couple of things I did differently than the pattern instructed.... this pattern does not have you understitch the panel that lines the front that finishes off the cowl.... not sure why, as that seems a critical step that helps the cowl lay inward, so of course I had to do that. 

I also stabilized the back neckline with a strip of binding as I do not want this neckline to stretch out.  Also it sort of finishes everything off nice and neat on the inside.  Seams are stitched then serged.

Armholes and bottom hem are simply turned under and zig-zagged.  Hobby Lobby fabric.

I can see this top being in strong rotation in the wardrobe this summer.

Happy Sewing Everyone!  :)