Up till now, all us Simple Sew Bloggers have each made different patterns each month but this time we are all having a go at the same one to show how many variations the pattern has… this is the Simple Sew Stylish Shell Top Challenge!!

It’s my time to show you my version of the Stylish Shell Top and of course mine is a cropped version of View B without the contrast hem band. I’m not hugely into mixing fabrics or colour blocking so this way suited me perfectly!

I wanted something bright and colourful and found this amazing harlequin Indian cotton in my stash that I got got the epic Cloth House Warehouse sale for just £2 a metre. I only needed about 75cm of it for this project – it’s such a great stash buster!

It’s also the quickest, easiest make- very beginner / lack of time friendly. Apart from the bust darts there is no shaping or fastenings so you simply sew up the shoulder and side seams, add the sleeves and finish off the edges, like the neckline. You are meant to use bias binding for the latter but I actually just hemmed the neckline as it’s a nice sturdy cotton and did the same for my sleeves and hem. It works really well that way and makes it an even quicker make!!

It may not be the most seasonally appropriate thing to make in December but I actually love how I styled it layered on top of a super warm cashmere jumper and it really brightens a dull day!

Also how well does it go with my Sew Over It Erin skirt? Match made in blue and yellow heaven!

So that’s all from me – this top is so simple and an essential part of any wardrobe and can be made in SO many different ways so I hope we are inspiring you to make your own Stylish Shell Top – we want to see yours now!

Sew much love,