Sewing Pattern Testing- Serger Pepper- Sheer Plaid Top

Sheer Plaid Top by Serger Pepper

I recently had the opportunity to test a pattern for another talented sewist, Irene Valle, of Serger Pepper. This time, I tested a pattern for me, the Sheer Plaid Top.

The Sheer Plaid Top is a super simple pattern that contains of three pieces- that's it! No zippers, no buttons, no fancy extras! The results, though, are a light, airy top that flows nicely. The top is done in a sheer material (I found my black and white fabric on the clearance table at Hancock Fabric), and can be worn over a long turtleneck, a cami or as a swimsuit cover-up. Since the temps here in the Carolinas have been downright frigid, I wore mine over a turtleneck. Come summer, though, I believe I'll make another, slightly longer, and use it as a swimsuit cover-up.

The Sheer Plaid Top introduced me to a new type of finishing seam technique called, The French Seam. Basically, you sew a straight line, iron, fold back on itself and enclose with another straight stitch in what is known as French Seam. I had never done one of these until this pattern, but it was such an easy, clean way to finish the seam and reinforce it (since it was a sheer material).

I tested size medium, but in retrospect, I probably could have done a small. The pattern is meant to be worn over something, so it's a little looser in fit. From start to finish, it took me about two and a half hours to sew (that includes printing, putting the pattern together, cutting fabric and sewing). This top is probably not something that I normally would have tackled on my own, for myself. However, after completing it, I love the end result and I'm so glad I sewed it! This would be a great beginner piece.

So fun! Thanks for letting me test this pattern, Irene! :-)