today i'm happy to be reviewing the lovely Heidi's (of Elegance & Elephants) first pattern, the ruffle top. when i first saw her a-line dress version of the ruffle top, i knew it was a pattern i needed to have in my ever-expanding pattern arsenal.
![ruffle top review]()
my original plan for this pattern was to exactly copy this tunic by Suzanne of Winter Wonderings, Wanderings, & Whatnot, but then Heidi made this fabulous dress for the Straight Grain Kids' Clothes Belgian Style series, and i knew i needed a ruffle top sans ruffles with contrasting panels, and fast! (you can see more great versions of the pattern in the E&E flickr group.)
but what fabrics to use??? as luck would have it, i had this special edition fat quarter of over-printed linen from Leslie of maze & vale sitting right on my kitchen table as i pondered this very question.
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i paired the handprinted linen with one of my favorite print staples, bike path, from Lucky Penny by Alison Glass for Andover. i gave B the choice of colors (yes, i have a stash of this print and so should you!)... i was hoping for gray or orange, but she demanded hot pink. so, hot pink it is. with a gray tie, so i got that in at least.
![ruffle top pattern]()
![ruffle top pattern]()
a few of my thoughts on sewing the ruffle top:
. the pattern pieces were clear and easy to print (and only three of them, yay!).
. i confess that i am absolutely terrible at following pattern instructions, so i doubt that i'm qualified to judge any such thing. i will say that the step-by-step instructions in this pattern are accompanied by photos, which is great for those of us who are more visual.
. the pattern is definitely suitable for a confident beginner or intermediate sewist, as stated.
. i like the range of options in this pattern: tunic, a-line dress, or swing dress. it's definitely nice to get that kind of variety in one pattern. with sizes 18 mos-8 years, i'll get a lot of use out of it.
i'm super happy with the result, as is miss B!
![ruffle top pattern]()
![ruffle top pattern]()
![ruffle top pattern]()
modifications made to the pattern:
. no ruffles.
. i made the ties extra long so they can wrap all the way around the tunic, upon request of one cute little model.
. when finishing the armholes and neckline with bias tape, i used pre-made bias tape, which i understitched and then turned under so that it is only visible on the interior. because the bias tap on the neckline was finished this way, i simply extended it on one side in the back for the button loop.
. i added topstitching on the side panels where they are attached to the front and back centers.
![ruffle top pattern]()
and now a goodie for you!! Heidi is giving away one free pdf of the ruffle top pattern to three lucky imagine gnats readers! can't wait? use code "IMAGINE10OFF" for 10% your copy of the ruffle top pattern through tomorrow, march 28.
*disclosure* i received a free copy of the pattern for the purposes of posting this review, but all opinions are my own.
![]()
the all-important "how to win" details:
to enter, you must follow the Elegance & Elephants blog OR "like" Elegance & Elephants on faccebook and leave a comment letting me know.
*bonus entry* for current or new imagine gnats facebook fans... just leave an additional comment telling me that you're a fan. (and thanks for being one!)
giveaway closes march 30th at 8pm EST. the three winning names will be drawn randomly and notified via email. this giveaway is open internationally. if you are a "no reply" or anonymous commenter, include your email address in your comment so that i can contact you if you win.
good luck!
![]()
my original plan for this pattern was to exactly copy this tunic by Suzanne of Winter Wonderings, Wanderings, & Whatnot, but then Heidi made this fabulous dress for the Straight Grain Kids' Clothes Belgian Style series, and i knew i needed a ruffle top sans ruffles with contrasting panels, and fast! (you can see more great versions of the pattern in the E&E flickr group.)
but what fabrics to use??? as luck would have it, i had this special edition fat quarter of over-printed linen from Leslie of maze & vale sitting right on my kitchen table as i pondered this very question.
i paired the handprinted linen with one of my favorite print staples, bike path, from Lucky Penny by Alison Glass for Andover. i gave B the choice of colors (yes, i have a stash of this print and so should you!)... i was hoping for gray or orange, but she demanded hot pink. so, hot pink it is. with a gray tie, so i got that in at least.
a few of my thoughts on sewing the ruffle top:
. the pattern pieces were clear and easy to print (and only three of them, yay!).
. i confess that i am absolutely terrible at following pattern instructions, so i doubt that i'm qualified to judge any such thing. i will say that the step-by-step instructions in this pattern are accompanied by photos, which is great for those of us who are more visual.
. the pattern is definitely suitable for a confident beginner or intermediate sewist, as stated.
. i like the range of options in this pattern: tunic, a-line dress, or swing dress. it's definitely nice to get that kind of variety in one pattern. with sizes 18 mos-8 years, i'll get a lot of use out of it.
i'm super happy with the result, as is miss B!
modifications made to the pattern:
. no ruffles.
. i made the ties extra long so they can wrap all the way around the tunic, upon request of one cute little model.
. when finishing the armholes and neckline with bias tape, i used pre-made bias tape, which i understitched and then turned under so that it is only visible on the interior. because the bias tap on the neckline was finished this way, i simply extended it on one side in the back for the button loop.
. i added topstitching on the side panels where they are attached to the front and back centers.
and now a goodie for you!! Heidi is giving away one free pdf of the ruffle top pattern to three lucky imagine gnats readers! can't wait? use code "IMAGINE10OFF" for 10% your copy of the ruffle top pattern through tomorrow, march 28.
*disclosure* i received a free copy of the pattern for the purposes of posting this review, but all opinions are my own.
the all-important "how to win" details:
to enter, you must follow the Elegance & Elephants blog OR "like" Elegance & Elephants on faccebook and leave a comment letting me know.
*bonus entry* for current or new imagine gnats facebook fans... just leave an additional comment telling me that you're a fan. (and thanks for being one!)
giveaway closes march 30th at 8pm EST. the three winning names will be drawn randomly and notified via email. this giveaway is open internationally. if you are a "no reply" or anonymous commenter, include your email address in your comment so that i can contact you if you win.
good luck!
