Cashmerette Club - Alton Top
In August 2022 sewing.patternreview.com had a Mini Wardrobe contest.
For my Mini Wardrobe I made 2 pair of Calder pants, the Vernon shirt in black linen, the Alton top in a black and white print linen and a reversible Kersoe top in Ponte.
My colour theme was black and white print mixing.
Mini Wardrobe rules: Sewing a capsule wardrobe is a great way to make dressing easy. Whether you are dressing for the office, working at home or working out, this contest will help you ensure that your wardrobe is versatile, super easy and customized to your needs. In this month-long contest, participants will sew five items that coordinate to form a collection. The collection must include two tops, two bottoms (pants, shorts, skirt, skort, etc.) and the fifth item is Sewer’s choice – can be another top, bottom, topper (cardigan or jacket) or a dress.
Pattern Description:
Boho is in full bloom with the Alton Blouse! The Alton features striking pleated sleeves with elastic cuffs or straight long sleeves and a faced keyhole neckline that can be worn open or tied. Sew yours up in a silk or voile for an ethereal blouse you’ll love to wear, or mix and match the Alton with the Cashmerette Montrose Top’s pattern necklines, yoke, and sleeves for even more options!
Boho is in full bloom with the Alton Blouse! The Alton features striking pleated sleeves with elastic cuffs or straight long sleeves and a faced keyhole neckline that can be worn open or tied. Sew yours up in a silk or voile for an ethereal blouse you’ll love to wear, or mix and match the Alton with the Cashmerette Montrose Top’s pattern necklines, yoke, and sleeves for even more options!
This pattern is only available with membership in the Cashmerette club which has a yearly subscription fee. That being said the designs they have released so far as part of the club membership are great especially if you prefer patterns with different cup sizes including C-H and designed for more curves and for less curves.
Once you have a good fit the blouse does come together quickly, the pleat sleeve version does take up a fair bit of fabric but you can use the plain sleeve option instead. I think it would be very pretty in a border eyelet lace cotton.
Once you have a good fit the blouse does come together quickly, the pleat sleeve version does take up a fair bit of fabric but you can use the plain sleeve option instead. I think it would be very pretty in a border eyelet lace cotton.
Pattern Sizing:
This pattern comes in sizes 0-32, cup sizes C – H
My test run Alton was a size 18 G/H cup view A in a poplin. I don't have a picture of it.
This pattern comes in sizes 0-32, cup sizes C – H
My test run Alton was a size 18 G/H cup view A in a poplin. I don't have a picture of it.
My second Alton I made in a floral cotton fabric - Kristen Katz May Morris quilting cotton satin from spotlight.
My final Alton is size 20 G/H cup view A linen/cotton safari print from Spotlight.
As for the fit, you can choose loose or more fitted across the bust depending on the size you go for.
Pattern matched the design across the front, sleeves and back
Pleats on the sleeve
Fit changes
My toile made in the poplin was actually a bit tight across the back in the size 18 so I drafted off the size 20 and made that up in the printed cotton.
My toile made in the poplin was actually a bit tight across the back in the size 18 so I drafted off the size 20 and made that up in the printed cotton.
I moved the bust apex down 1” on the size 20.
Strangley the quilting cotton top fitted me across the bust and the darts lined up with the apex of my bust as expected. When I made this linen version for some reason the bust apex was lower than before so I had to unpick and resew the position of the dart points higher.
I wanted a jumpsuit looking outfit but made with a top and bottom so it would be easy to wear. I decided the Alton blouse and the Cashmerette Calder palazzo pant would work.
I cut a 4.5" wide strip of the linen fabric the circumference of the hem with the pattern running horizontally. I joined the ends of the strip, leaving an opening for the elastic to be threaded through, then folded the strip in half and pressed it.
I overlocked the long edges together making a flat tube. I pinned the tube to the hem with the opening facing the inside at the side seam of the top.
I sewed the tube to the hem.
I sewed the tube to the hem.
I threaded the wide thick belt elastic thought the opening and then sewed the elastic ends together and closed up the opening.
I made the Calder Palazzo pants in the same fabric and was carefully to match the pattern from the top to the pants at the centre front. With the wide elasticated waistband the outfit does look like a jumpsuit but it is easier to wear and you don't have to take it all off to go to the bathroom!
This top has simple lines but the wide pleating on the sleeves make it more interesting. The pleats look best on a solid colour, you can see them on floral blouse because the pattern is large but the black and white Alton I made the pleats disappear in the geometric design.
Alton top with Calder pants
