We love the unassuming simplicity of Lauren's patterns for Elbe Textiles and the recently released Staley Top is no exception! This easy-sew PDF downloadable pattern offers a tee and a long sleeve view, and after seeing these two merino versions sewn up, we're dreaming up all of the options for Spring! Read on for our review, kindly modelled by Zosia and Emma from our Online Store team!
Emma wears View A (long sleeves) in size B in our ZQ Premium Merino - Navy
Pattern Review
Staley Top by Elbe Textiles - PDF Download Only
The Staley Top features long sleeve view with a split staggered hem and a short sleeve view with a curved hem. A super helpful feature of this pattern is that the armscye and sleeve head are the same for both views, so you can interchange sleeve lengths and hem styles as you wish. Simple styles like this are so handy to have in your pattern library as they're easy to adapt for different seasons!
We made up the long sleeve view in size B for Emma using our classic Navy ZQ Premium Merino jersey and it needed no alterations! This size took 1.25m of merino (150cm wide).
We also made up the short sleeve version in size E for Zosia, using our Merino / Poly Diagonal Marle Jersey - Portobello and added 5cm to the hem length. This one took 1.2m of the merino blend, which is 132cm wide.
As always with Lauren's patterns, the instructions were very clear and easy to follow and we'd agree that this pattern would be ideal for an advanced beginner! You'll need to use the twin needle setting on your sewing machine, or a zigzag stitch and overlocking.
You can purchase the pattern via the Elbe Textiles website here.
Zosia wears View B (short sleeves) in size E in our Merino / Poly Diagonal Marle Jersey - Portobello
Fabric Recommendations
It's the first day of Spring here in the Southern Hemisphere, and we're loving lightweight merino layers! For these two Staley Tops, we used Merino / Poly Diagonal Marle Jersey - Portobello and ZQ Premium Merino - Navy. We have loads of knit fabric options available in stores and online including cottons, merino and merino blends and even a handful of silk knits!
It's definitely worth thinking about how you want your Staley to fit before you chose your knit fabric. Lauren at Elbe Textiles says that fabric choice will play a big part in how the garment fits and that the stretchier/less sturdy your knit is, the slouchier the fit will be. This is shown quite well in our merino versions, as they are both fairly lightweight knits, giving both tops a comfy, slouchy feel.
From top to bottom, Organic Merino 1x1 Rib - Powder Pink, Merino/ Poly Diagonal Marle Jersey - Amaranth, Merino Jersey - Periwinkle, Micro Self-Stripe Merino/Poly - Linseed, Merino/Poly Diagonal Marle Jersey - Clementine and Merino 2x2 Rib - Copper
The Staley Top would make a fab easy-sew addition to any #memade wardrobe! Check out a bunch of other versions on Instagram here and don't forget to tag @wearethefabricstore if you make your own!