Summer in New York hack
Since its release back in 2022, Summer in New York is still our most popular pattern and although the pattern is a dress it is really simple to make into a top which is perfect for the intense summer weather we are currently experiencing in the UK! The loose wide sleeves are not only comfortable but also provide protection as they act as a great cover up and with only two pattern pieces and no shaping, this is a very quick sew.
For this Summer in New York hack you will need:
some paper, tape, a pen and ruler; and
the Summer in New York pattern and instruction booklet!
MAKING THE NEW PATTERN PIECES
1. First we need to adapt the existing bodice pieces. To do this, first tape a piece of paper to the bottom of the front bodice pattern piece (pattern piece A). Make sure the paper is slightly wider than the pattern piece and approximately 30cm long which should provide plenty of room to extend the bodice to your required length.
2. Extend the side seam and centre front lines of the front bodice pattern piece to your preferred length, then extend by a further 1.5cm for the hem. We extended by a total of 20cm (approximately 8 inches) so that the top will sit comfortably just above the hips. Please note if you would like the top to sit on or below the hips you will need to taper the lines out as you extend the bodice.
3. Connect these two lines to complete the new front bodice pattern piece.
4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 for the back bodice pattern piece (pattern piece B) ensuring you extend the side seam and centre back lines by exactly the same amount as for the front bodice.
SEWING THE TOP
5 Finish ALL the seams which are: the centre front seam, shoulder seam, sleeve edge, underarm and waist seam of both front bodice pieces. You may want to re-mark any notches with a fabric marker first as the notches may be difficult to see once the seams have been finished.
6. Place the two front bodice pieces right sides together. Pin the centre front seams together from the notch to the bottom waist edge of the bodice pieces. Sew together (this is step 2 in the instruction booklet).
7. Press the seam open then continue pressing the remainder of the neckline on each front bodice piece by 1.5 cm wrong sides together (this is step 3 in the instruction booklet).
8. Finish ALL the seams of the back bodice piece which are: the top of the back bodice piece along the entire length of the shoulder seams, sleeve edges, underarm and waist seams. You may want to re-mark any notches with a fabric marker first as the notches may be difficult to see once the seams have been finished.
9. Place the front and back bodice pieces right sides together. Pin the side seams together from the underarm to the waist. Sew together. Then pin along the shoulder seams starting at the sleeve edges and matching the notches. There will be a gap between the left and right necklines of the front bodice (this is for you to get your head through). Sew together. Press the seams open.
10. Hand stitch the front neckline in place on both sides of the front bodice (this will already have been pressed in place in step 7 above. The back neckline between the two sleeves will have a natural fold where you have already sewn the shoulder seams on either side. Press the fold already created and hand stitch the neckline of the back bodice in place.
11. Turn the hem of one sleeve under by 1.5cm so the wrong sides are together and press. Hand stitch the sleeve hem in place. Repeat for the other sleeve (this is step 20 in the instruction booklet).
12. Turn the hem under by 1.5 cm so the wrong sides are together and press. Hand stitch the hem in place (this is step 22 in the instruction booklet). Give the top a good press.
Congratulations, you are now ready for a top Summer in New York.