The Piper Top: Pattern Review and Giveaway

The lovely ladies behind Violette Field Threads asked me to be a part of their Piper Top and Dress tour and I was thrilled to join in because all of their patterns are top quality.  Now I get to show off my Piper Top sewn with some of my most favorite chiffon ever!

(and don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post.  3 of you will win your very own copy of the Piper!)

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A few months ago, I stumbled upon this amazing black and white geometric polyester chiffon over at Michael Levine (the online shop) and knew I had to buy it.  I had no idea what I would use it for until this project.  It makes a perfect Piper!

I chose to do the short sleeve Piper top with the peter pan collar.  By the way, I skipped the interfacing because I ran out and was too lazy to buy more…. which is why it is a bit crumpled looking.  I always preach the importance of interfacing and here I go breaking my own rules 🙂

 

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While the front is pretty, the back is really the showstopper of this top.  It has a deep plunge and then a large “bow”, which looks way more complicated to make than it actually is.  From start to finish, this entire top took me about 3.5 hours.  I think it would take a lot less time if you aren’t using a tricky fabric like I did.

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I really love how the chiffon drapes and gives the back a very flowy feel.  Because the chiffon is sheer, I layered a nude colored camisole underneath.  I was a bit worried that the back would be too low for undergarments, but it is great!  I was able to wear the tank underneath with no issues!

piper 4

Isn’t this so cool and unique looking??  The pattern has a vibe of business in the front, party in the back.  hehe.

(and I clearly need to still snip a few threads, whoops)

piper 2piper 5

The size small fit me perfectly.  I cinched it with a belt, but it would also look super cute tucked into some high waisted pants.

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The pattern calls for a sleeve gather, but I did a little pleat instead… for no other reason than I thought it would be cute.

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Oh and for those wondering (or maybe I was the only one wondering??), the top works great reversed too!  Not that I would wear this particular one backwards because of the peter pan collar, but it got my wheels turning… Perhaps, I will make another version but reverse it?   Thoughts?

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Thanks so much for having me be a part of your tour, ladies!  As always, your patterns are so well written and a joy to sew up.

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Now, 3 of you will win your very own copy of The Piper!  Woohooo!

The only mandatory entry is liking Violette Field Threads on Facebook, but the other options are extras for more of a chance to win!

Good luck… winners will be announced next week.

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hayley
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Hayley

Hayley Crouse is a wife, mother and multifaceted designer. Her love of sewing, crafting, cooking and interior design infuses her daily life and naturally spills over into her online presence. She pushes the envelope of her creativity and hopes that others will be inspired to do the same. She currently authors the Welcome to the Mouse House Blog, is the pattern designer behind Mouse House Creations and is a collaborative designer with Willow & Co. Patterns.
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140 Responses to The Piper Top: Pattern Review and Giveaway

  1. Marian June 2, 2014 at 6:50 am #

    What a beautiful top!

  2. Annika June 2, 2014 at 7:07 am #

    Love your top. I think I’d also go with the top as a jeans and a top are what I wear most days…

  3. Elsa June 2, 2014 at 7:20 am #

    I might try and make a dress, in a lighweight chambray…! both fabric and pattern suit you, lovely!

  4. Angela June 2, 2014 at 7:23 am #

    I need more tops right now. This one is beautiful and feminine.

  5. Cristina F. June 2, 2014 at 7:23 am #

    I think I would make a top. Dresses are harder for me to wear with 2 lil ones running around.

  6. Chelsey June 2, 2014 at 7:25 am #

    A shirt for sure! Dying for breezy tops that hide the mommy pot but look stylish as well!

  7. Liezel June 2, 2014 at 7:27 am #

    Super top!!! I really like it in the chiffon-version!

  8. Ashley June 2, 2014 at 7:28 am #

    I would make both! I have 3 weddings to attend this year so the dress would be perfect for me to wear.

  9. Carol Meyer June 2, 2014 at 7:30 am #

    Super cute top pattern! I really like the top, but a dress would also be nice……..humm, top!

  10. Crystal D June 2, 2014 at 7:31 am #

    Top!

  11. Harmony June 2, 2014 at 7:36 am #

    I’m in stood need of new clothes in general, but especially new tops and this one is beautiful!

  12. Elena June 2, 2014 at 7:36 am #

    I love your top! I do need something pretty to wear and I think a top would be great. I love the reversed version idea too!

  13. Meand mygirl June 2, 2014 at 7:40 am #

    So cute in the chiffon!!

  14. Dee V June 2, 2014 at 7:43 am #

    I love this top. I would make a dress and a top out of this for myself and my teen loves it too.

  15. Natalie from Sewoutnumbered June 2, 2014 at 7:45 am #

    I would definitely make a top! I love a good peter pan collar 🙂

  16. Henriette Terkelsen June 2, 2014 at 7:46 am #

    What a lovely pattern! Both the top and the dress-version is adorable. Cute and grown up all in one.

  17. Kayla O. June 2, 2014 at 7:50 am #

    Definitely a top! Looks great on you!

  18. Donna June 2, 2014 at 7:53 am #

    I adore the chiffon!
    I would make the top, definately 🙂

  19. Victoria M June 2, 2014 at 7:54 am #

    The piper would be perfect to make matching top and skirt to be worn as a dress. Then I would also have two separates that could mix or match with the rest of my wardrobe. This is often the best solution for those of us who are a bit heavier on the top or bottom.

  20. Josi June 2, 2014 at 7:54 am #

    The girl’s pattern is on my list to make. I need tops so this would be great. Thanks for the great review.

  21. Denita Walker June 2, 2014 at 7:54 am #

    You look fab in the Piper. I was wondering about wearing it reversed!

  22. Beth June 2, 2014 at 7:56 am #

    Love love love this!! Would love to make a dress version

  23. Erin June 2, 2014 at 7:56 am #

    This is on my to buy/to do list. I think it’s absolutely beautiful. I think I will make both a top and dress with it.

  24. Alison June 2, 2014 at 7:57 am #

    i would so love to sew this!

  25. April June 2, 2014 at 8:00 am #

    Oh gosh….I would have to make both. Super cute. Thanks for the generous giveaway 🙂

  26. Dian June 2, 2014 at 8:02 am #

    I will love to make top with this pattern. Look awesome

  27. Elizabeth June 2, 2014 at 8:07 am #

    A top first, then maybe a dress. I like that it can be worn front or back.

  28. indy W June 2, 2014 at 8:08 am #

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! I woukd make a top!

  29. Cori C June 2, 2014 at 8:08 am #

    I’d probably start with a top, but I’m definitely open to a dress as well 🙂

  30. Randi Collins June 2, 2014 at 8:11 am #

    I would make both! It’s so cute I wouldn’t be able to help myself

  31. Cara J June 2, 2014 at 8:12 am #

    I would make a top! Love it!

  32. Randi Collins June 2, 2014 at 8:13 am #

    I would make both! A top for a friend and a dress for myself

  33. Cynthia Errisuriz June 2, 2014 at 8:14 am #

    Id make a top or several with some vintage 1940’s feedsack fabrics. And pair them with my vintage high waisted jeans of course. 😉

  34. Toni June 2, 2014 at 8:14 am #

    Top 🙂 looks fabulous.

  35. Beth June 2, 2014 at 8:15 am #

    This top is beautiful!

  36. Claire Lewis June 2, 2014 at 8:16 am #

    Both, definitely! Probably a top first, ready to wear in the cooler weather, and then a dress to wear until it falls apart!

  37. Gina C June 2, 2014 at 8:16 am #

    This is so pretty! If I won the pattern, I’d definitely make a top with it, or maybe extend the length a bit and make it more longer.

  38. Liza Ahern June 2, 2014 at 8:17 am #

    I have to say as a working mom I never have enough tops and this one is so nifty!

  39. Erika M June 2, 2014 at 8:19 am #

    Would love to try this pattern!

  40. Andrea June 2, 2014 at 8:24 am #

    Lovely!!

  41. jeanine June 2, 2014 at 8:28 am #

    looks lovely on you! I’d probably make a top… or skip the back bow to make a dress.

  42. Carmen Statham June 2, 2014 at 8:29 am #

    I would make dress because a girl can never have too many dresses.

  43. Jill June 2, 2014 at 8:33 am #

    So cute! And I love that fabric!

  44. Jill June 2, 2014 at 8:35 am #

    I would definitely make a top 🙂

  45. Becky June 2, 2014 at 8:41 am #

    My wardrobe is in need of am overhaul so I would need this in both versions!

  46. Meri June 2, 2014 at 8:43 am #

    What a lovely photos of you! I like it and you did a great job;)

  47. Nadine June 2, 2014 at 8:47 am #

    So lovely!

  48. Liz Y June 2, 2014 at 8:54 am #

    Love the fabric choice & the pleated shoulder!

  49. Heather June 2, 2014 at 8:59 am #

    A dress and top! Very cute pattern!

  50. Bonnie June 2, 2014 at 9:03 am #

    Would definitely make a dress – such a pretty silhouette. Thanks for the chance to win 🙂

  51. Chary June 2, 2014 at 9:03 am #

    Make a top for sure!

  52. Lyn Kaufmann June 2, 2014 at 9:04 am #

    The top. I don’t wear dresses to often. Love the Peter Pan collar but the bow is cute too and would make a cute front.

  53. britt June 2, 2014 at 9:06 am #

    Cute! I think I would make a top too!

  54. Melissa June 2, 2014 at 9:17 am #

    Beautiful pattern and lovely fabric choice.

  55. Liela June 2, 2014 at 9:22 am #

    Would love some tips on working with chiffon.

  56. Jolien June 2, 2014 at 9:22 am #

    I’d love to make a top, reversed though. High necklines don’t suit me, but the bow is fun! 🙂

  57. Brenda Iwami June 2, 2014 at 9:23 am #

    I would make a top. Very cute pattern. Thanks for the chance to win!

  58. Flavia June 2, 2014 at 9:27 am #

    As I am not a “dress” girl, I would certainly make a top (or 2!).

  59. Alicia June 2, 2014 at 9:30 am #

    I would make a dress! I am in desperate need of some cute summer dresses, and that would be adorable.

  60. Lindsay June 2, 2014 at 9:32 am #

    One of each?? lol, probably the top. I don’t wear many dresses and this looks like it would be the perfect summer top for work.

  61. Hillary June 2, 2014 at 9:36 am #

    I would love this! I never get to sew for myself. I would probably make a top and the dress!

  62. Adra chim June 2, 2014 at 9:43 am #

    Love this. Good excuse to see with chiffon

  63. Kelly June 2, 2014 at 9:44 am #

    Pick me! So cute.

  64. fenna June 2, 2014 at 9:51 am #

    a top!!! I have the perfect fabric for it 🙂

  65. Anh-Chi June 2, 2014 at 9:53 am #

    I would make the top. And I LOVE the reversed version with the bow in the front. Lovely!

  66. Marti June 2, 2014 at 9:56 am #

    Both! I would probably make a top first then tackle the dress.

  67. Amber June 2, 2014 at 9:56 am #

    You made this top look so good! I bought the pattern for my girls but I may just need to sew up one for myself as well 🙂

  68. Ashley Luther June 2, 2014 at 9:57 am #

    Super cute! I can’t wait to make one to coordinate with my girls!

  69. Alison June 2, 2014 at 9:58 am #

    I’ve already purchased the children’s piper and Love this pattern. I’d love to make myself one too! Your top is beautiful.

  70. Misty Dupree June 2, 2014 at 10:03 am #

    This is such adorable fabric! Great Choice!

  71. Trinh June 2, 2014 at 10:11 am #

    I love the fabric you used!

  72. chinapat June 2, 2014 at 10:14 am #

    Would be lovely as top or dress.

  73. Mandy Tacchini June 2, 2014 at 10:16 am #

    I’d do the top first then a dress. For the record I like it backwards without the collar too!

  74. Jenny June 2, 2014 at 10:26 am #

    Loverly!

  75. Jenny June 2, 2014 at 10:28 am #

    Would have to make both!

  76. Catherine June 2, 2014 at 10:34 am #

    Looks lovely in chiffon!!

  77. Nicole June 2, 2014 at 10:39 am #

    Love this! I love the bow in front! Beautiful job

  78. Rebecca Pelletier June 2, 2014 at 10:47 am #

    Umm…definitely both. Loving the bow back.

  79. Jenniffer June 2, 2014 at 10:48 am #

    This is so cute. Love the back

  80. Dita June 2, 2014 at 10:54 am #

    Such a pretty blouse! I think i’d love to sew a top too! I love the peterpan collar and the bow on the back!

  81. Justina McBride June 2, 2014 at 10:57 am #

    I think I would make one of each…no, I know I would! 🙂 But I would probably start with the top first. 🙂 Love your Piper version. Adorable as you are!

  82. Donna Lee June 2, 2014 at 10:58 am #

    I think I’d make a top after seeing yours!

  83. mjb June 2, 2014 at 10:58 am #

    I’d make a top.

  84. LaDonna K June 2, 2014 at 11:03 am #

    What a great looking top. Love the back.

  85. Jacara June 2, 2014 at 11:05 am #

    I love the idea of trying the top backwards, minus the collar of course 😉

  86. Laura June 2, 2014 at 11:24 am #

    I LOVE yours!!! I would probably make a bunch of tops if I had the pattern.

  87. Dolly Carwile June 2, 2014 at 11:40 am #

    I would make a dress. A very cute dress.

  88. Emily June 2, 2014 at 11:40 am #

    Love the fabric and your glowy pictures! Good to know it can be reversed. 🙂

    • Emily June 2, 2014 at 11:45 am #

      I’d make a top because I’m nursing.

  89. Natalie June 2, 2014 at 11:58 am #

    I would make a top, I actually love it backwards!!!

  90. Raina DelRio June 2, 2014 at 12:17 pm #

    I would make the Piper into a dress.

  91. Kaitlin Madson June 2, 2014 at 12:24 pm #

    This top is so cute! I also think it looks great reversed 🙂

  92. Tania June 2, 2014 at 12:27 pm #

    I’d make both a top and a dress! I’ve seen a bunch floating around and I’m in love! I love it with the bow in front too. I wouldn’t have thought of that myself!

  93. Heather June 2, 2014 at 12:35 pm #

    Looks so cute on you! I would make a top first 🙂

  94. Jackie June 2, 2014 at 12:39 pm #

    Love it!!

  95. Jackie June 2, 2014 at 12:40 pm #

    I would probably make a top- it’s very versatile!

  96. Capi Cohen June 2, 2014 at 12:41 pm #

    What a cute top! I love it and would want to make a matching skirt, too!

  97. Ashley P June 2, 2014 at 1:30 pm #

    I love your top and I would want to make one just like it! 🙂

  98. Tanya Hooper June 2, 2014 at 1:39 pm #

    I love it! Those ladies are so so talented!

  99. Barbora June 2, 2014 at 1:54 pm #

    Girl can never have enough beautiful tops!

  100. Tina June 2, 2014 at 2:05 pm #

    Both 🙂

  101. Melissa June 2, 2014 at 3:24 pm #

    You look perfect as usual. I would make both. I think the options are endless

  102. Amy mayen June 2, 2014 at 3:41 pm #

    I’d make mine as is, but without the collar.

  103. Mama Lusco June 2, 2014 at 3:49 pm #

    I would make a top. Love the back as front!

  104. Kelie June 2, 2014 at 4:08 pm #

    Dress — but can I just say that you are way too stinking cute!

  105. Stephanie Morgan June 2, 2014 at 4:51 pm #

    o my i need this pattern

  106. Tara June 2, 2014 at 4:59 pm #

    Love love love. This is stunning.

  107. sandra pipitone June 2, 2014 at 5:07 pm #

    would love to make the dress! thanks for achance to WIN!

  108. Shalise June 2, 2014 at 7:48 pm #

    I think I would choose the top option.

  109. Nique Et June 2, 2014 at 7:54 pm #

    I think a top would be lovely

  110. Ramona June 2, 2014 at 9:26 pm #

    I would make both a top and a dress. Both are beautiful.

  111. Amanda Wilson Levanovich June 2, 2014 at 9:27 pm #

    I love that you wore it backwards!!!! LOVE that look!!!! 🙂

  112. melissa v June 2, 2014 at 9:33 pm #

    I’d Make a summer dress for sure. So cute

  113. Brandi June 2, 2014 at 9:38 pm #

    The reverse side bow would look lovely on the front of a dress! Great idea to wear it backwards!

  114. Kathy E. June 2, 2014 at 9:42 pm #

    I would make a top and extend the sleeves to 3/4 length to cover my flabby upper arms! Very cute!

  115. Christine June 2, 2014 at 11:08 pm #

    A top! So beautiful!

  116. Joanna M. June 3, 2014 at 12:48 am #

    I would love to make the shirt! So sophisticated!

  117. Dana W. June 3, 2014 at 1:39 am #

    Dress!!!! (that way i don’t have to find something to go with the top!)

  118. Crafty Albumine June 3, 2014 at 6:19 am #

    I would do a top with this fab peter pan collar!

  119. jo wyrosdick June 3, 2014 at 7:28 am #

    I love the bow. I would probably make a dress.

  120. Mariette June 3, 2014 at 7:49 am #

    What a simple, yet classy design! I would definitely make the top, but might be tempted to make the dress as well. So many decisions!

  121. Desiree June 3, 2014 at 9:26 am #

    a top!

  122. jaime June 3, 2014 at 9:43 am #

    I would make the top.

  123. Danielle D. June 3, 2014 at 10:34 am #

    Loving this!!! I would love to have this pattern!

  124. Mickey Newman June 3, 2014 at 11:01 am #

    I would first make the top! You can’t have too many tops!

  125. Mary June 3, 2014 at 11:50 am #

    Definitely a top!

  126. Brandyn June 3, 2014 at 10:48 pm #

    I would make a dress post haste ~ I have been wanting a dress like this for over a year now!

  127. Andrea S. June 4, 2014 at 9:11 am #

    So cute! I’d make several tops out of this – adorable!

  128. auschick June 4, 2014 at 9:37 pm #

    I love this top! I would make the top becuase I’m breastfeeding right now and dresses are too tricky for that!

  129. Kim June 5, 2014 at 9:33 am #

    I would make the top! I’ve got skinny chicken legs! lol

  130. Carrie Rodriguez June 5, 2014 at 2:59 pm #

    I LOOOVE this top/dress! I have family pictures coming up with some Art Gallery Voile on the way and this would be perfect for mommy and me outfits!

  131. Susan June 6, 2014 at 5:29 am #

    I want to make a top first. I have seen this made in a T-shirt knit fabric — it is cute, but I am more interested in the chiffon version. Because I wear dresses a lot, I will probably try both!

  132. Melissa June 6, 2014 at 8:44 am #

    Beautiful top! I like both the top and dress, however I would need to lengthen the dress.

  133. John Hutchens June 6, 2014 at 3:01 pm #

    I would make a top

  134. JoAnn K Delery June 6, 2014 at 4:13 pm #

    i would definitely make the top and the dress in maxi length for winter (or summer actually).

  135. Teresa June 7, 2014 at 12:08 am #

    Dress AND Top

  136. Nicole U June 7, 2014 at 3:44 pm #

    I would make both but the dress is super cute! Thanks for the chance to win 🙂

  137. Diana Giselle SanForc June 7, 2014 at 4:33 pm #

    I would make a top! 😀

  138. Christie June 23, 2014 at 8:36 pm #

    I know this is over but just wanted to let you know you look beautiful! That top is amazing and I actually love the bow in the front. Good idea!

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