I don't know about you, but I always struggle to find comfortable things to wear in the heat. I'm from Scotland, and it was pretty rare to need anything lighter than my default breton top when I lived there.
In Dorset, on the other hand, there are a good few weeks of the year where that's too warm. I'd go for a t-shirt which could still feel a bit heavy, but was at least more hard-wearing and comfortable than the nasty polyester tops I'd bought before I started paying attention to fabrics.
As this is my first summer of sewing, I've spent a lot of time looking at suitable patterns and admiring everyone's makes on Instagram. I finally decided that the ultimate summer top for me would be something along the lines of a Grainline Scout tee. It might just be my familial frugality, but I'm already a little ashamed by how many patterns I have (around 15-20, mostly from charity shops and magazines), so despite the Scout tee being a well-loved pattern, I decided to draft one based on a pattern I already own.
I don't think Sew Over It's Ultimate Shift Dress/Top needs any real introduction - it's a lovely simple make (which I've nonetheless managed to make a pig's ear out of more than once) with a few different sleeve length options.
I cut around the neck and armholes, but continued the armholes out beyond the pattern by about an extra 10mm each side for a looser fit. At this point I shifted the pattern up the fabric so I could skip the dart, then continued cutting. I did the same on the back, adding 10mm to each side, and on the sleeves, too, so everything would match up.
From there the construction was the same as the shift top itself, minus the darts. I added french seams along the shoulders and user an overlocker-like stitch down the side seams. I finished the cuffs by folding and pressing twice before sewing the side seams. I kept it long until try-on stage and then took up the hem by a few inches. Loose-fitting tops normally make me feel quite frumpy and scruffy, but I think the length of this makes it a bit more interesting.
I promise I don't feel quite as smug as I look.
And here it is! The fabric is viscose from Fabric Land that I think cost £3.99/m a few months back. It's quite shifty but lovely and light, and I think it even appeared on the cover of the first ever issue of Suzy magazine!
I put this top on as soon as it was finished and wore it round the house for the rest of the day with a pair of old Gap shorts. This is a good few inches shorter than any of my other tops, so I'm not used to my waistband being seen - I love the length, but definitely need to make or buy a nice belt now!