Style Arc Elizabeth top

Style Arc Elizabeth

After my month-long dalliance with knits, I swung backs to wovens at the weekend. I find each one makes me appreciate the strengths of the other: the speed of fluid knits vs the accuracy of sturdy wovens. Both good fun in their own ways.

Style Arc Elizabeth

Talking of fabrics first, this gorgeous crepe de chine was kindly sent to me by Sam via the Stash Diet swapping group on Flickr. What a great idea, eh? I’ve sent out several bits of fabric and yarn (I have some left, check the group!) and received back this lovely stuff and some new-to-me patterns. Thank you Sam and I hope you approve of what I did with it!

Style Arc Elizabeth

The pattern I used is the Elizabeth top from Style Arc, an Australian company who also sell their patterns to big retail stores like Asos. In general I’d say that they are geared toward the more advanced sewist, as the instructions for both patterns I bought are somewhat scarce. Very little guidance is given on things like seam finishes and construction methods, so a bit of prior knowledge and common sense is a must. But the trade-off is you get extremely good drafting, great style lines, and a very RTW type look to their garments. And for this pattern anyway, it was easy enough to figure out the construction steps without much help.

Style Arc Elizabeth

My aim was to create something similar to my silk tulip-front Scout, which is definitely my most-worn woven top. I think this ticks a lot of the same boxes: graphic print in muted colours, luxe yet easy to wear (and sew) fabric, comfortable shape while still looking like I’ve made a bit more of an effort that just wearing a plain tee. Mission accomplished, I think.

Style Arc Elizabeth

As I said, the drafting and the fit of this pattern are great. I made no fitting modifications besides lowering the neckline quite a bit. I especially like the slim ‘longer-than-short’ sleeves and the subtle asymmetry at the hem. The under layer covers pretty much the whole torso so there’s no risk of it flying open.

Style Arc Elizabeth

There’s a little keyhole at the back neck, which I finished with a comedy giant button. The rest of the neckline is finished with self-fabric bias, and I used a twin needle throughout on the hems. This pattern works in a knit or woven, so I think I’ll be making up more versions sometime – check out Sally’s sweet striped jersey one!

14 thoughts on “Style Arc Elizabeth top

    1. Katie Post author

      They are great if you can get past the thin on the ground instructions! If you ever want to split an order to save on postage there are more I want – I did that with Kathryn before – drop me an email if so :)

  1. Sam

    This is fantastic Katie! I’m so pleased you were able to put the fabric to such good use as it wasn’t speaking to me at all. I now know that’s because it was sitting there quietly wanting to be this top.

  2. Sally

    This is so cool! I really like how the pattern looks made up in a woven fabric :) And the print is so cool – I need to get in on this stash diet swapping! And thanks for the shout out! ;)

  3. JamieDSC

    I had no idea StyleArc patterns were used by retail stores too?! How did you hear about that? I guess that explains why they follow the trends so closely.

    Love this top and fabric on you. I’ve been on a StyleArc kick lately and cut 4-5 patterns and fabric out a couple weekends ago, but only got around to finishing the Billie top so far. I’ll have to throw the Elizabeth in my already overflowing queue.

    1. Katie Post author

      I can’t remember where I read it, but I’ve seen their designs on Asos (and the same dress on the SA site with the same Asos model, so definitely the same design). The whole ‘industry secret’/professional patterns thing I think alludes to that. Perhaps they also produce designs for retail stores but they are separate to the patterns they sell?

      Anyway, they are really great patterns. I’ve just made their Sandra jeans and I want a bunch more! The Billie is really cool, love how it looks draped.

  4. crab&bee

    I think you’re the first person to make something out of swapped fabric! I’m thrilled and your top is perfect. I’ve been cruising the style arc patterns a bit lately and I’ve been impressed. I didn’t realize they sold to retailers too.

  5. sallie

    Gorgeous top! And gorgeous fabric too! Such a great, easy-yet-pulled-together look! I’ve been meaning to try some Style Arc patterns myself, too – so thanks for your thoughts on that as well.

  6. Katie

    Wow, I love this! That pattern’s been on my wishlist for ages now, so it’s great to see it on a real person! Does the shipping cost work out quite expensive from SA? That’s the only thing that’s been putting me off ordering from them..

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