A Christmas Dachshund Poppy Top

That title is quite a mouthful isn't it? Well here is my latest Christmas sewing make, when I was in my local fabric shop last week I saw this gorgeous cotton fabric that is just perfect for Christmas, the shop is Happy Hare and if you are in the Sheffield area I suggest you have a look.  They have a lovely selection of craft fabrics and are really friendly, they also do lots of classes if you are looking to improve your skills.

Now I only bought a metre as I didn't know what I wanted it for but when I got home I saw this Poppy top pattern from Simple Sew that my friend passed on to me a while ago.  It does say it requires more fabric on the  pattern but there is always a way!  For me it was just a case of places my pieces right up to the very edges and making the facings and sleeves shorter.  It was a squeeze but I just managed it.  I am very satisfied with the tiny pieces that are left ;)  here is the finished top and I will talk you through the rest below.

The light in here was not great for photographs but I wanted a festive setting!

I will alternate the shots so that you can see the top better, I really like the pleats on this top and they matched up perfectly.  

It has this keyhole detail at the back and I really like that, as you can see I am wearing a top under it but that is only because it is winter.  If I was to make this top in a different fabric for another season it wouldn't need any layering.

I used a little turquoise button to pick out one of the colours in the dogs little Christmas jumpers.

The only other adjustment I made to the pattern other than shortening the facings to fit it on the fabric was to put a little pleat on the sleeves.  The reason for this was that I used cotton fabric and on the cover image the top is clearly made in a floaty fabric.  So my sleeves stood out rather than falling softly onto my shoulders so to counter this I just nipped them in a bit in a little pleat and topstitched it down.

I am very happy with how this top has turned out, it is true to size, it has basic pieces and instructions and would be a very good pattern for a beginner.  In fact I would say if you are stuck for a last minute present for someone who sews then why not get them this pattern, if you are buying fabric too though please check the back of the pattern  and buy them the correct amount.  I am able to squeeze this out of a metre because I know my size well and I have done this before. Also I only just managed it, so you wouldn't want someone to be disappointed by not having enough fabric.  Disclaimer here, I am not sponsored buy Simple Sew I just really loved the pattern. 

Here is my little roll of fabric...

Here are the pattern pieces squashed onto my little piece of fabric...

Obviously I cut them off at top length as this pattern can also be made as a dress, I will probably do that in future as well as making some long sleeved versions of this blouse.

It was a relaxing and very accurate make, the facings lined up beautifully and I didn't need to take it in as sometimes happens with a new pattern.  The pleats on the front are very easy to do  so don't be put off if you are a beginner.

What Christmas clothes have you all been making? Please let me know in the comments below and also if you have this pattern and what your thoughts were. 

Bye for now, take care.