This pretty cropped top by Amanda Walker is perfect all year round and would look great sewn in a lightweight chambray or cotton. Available in sizes 8-20, the design involves making keyhole openings in the front and back centre seams, plus sewing two-piece sleeves with ties, and binding the neckline for a neat finish.
1 Download and print the pattern at sewmag.co.uk/templates. Cut out the pieces according to the cutting guide and transfer any markings. Neaten the centre-front edges of the front and back pieces, then pair up each set right sides together. Match the seams and stitch – for the front pieces, sew 1.5cm down from the neckline, leaving an 11.5cm gap, then continue stitching down to the next notch marked. For the back pieces, stitch from notch to notch, leaving the top unstitched. Press the seams open.
2 Neaten the front and back at the shoulder seams, pin right sides together, stitch at the shoulders and press the seam open. Fold and press 1cm on either side of the neck binding strip or using a bias binding maker, fold in half, then press again. Open one side of the binding strip, then position it around the neckline, leaving excess binding at each end. Pin, then stitch along the strip’s fold line. Fold the strip over to the wrong side of the neckline, san