Cara Top | PDF Pattern

£12.50

Click here for the online workshop option (suitable for beginners).

The Cara Top is a simple summer blouse that's flexible enough to wear in a wafty muslin at the beach or in a smarter silk as part of a wedding two-piece. It comes with 2 length options, shorter to sit right on the hip or a little longer to hit the top of the thigh.

It is a simple piece to make which means it’s a great project for beginners, however this doesn’t mean we cut corners on the construction quality. You’ll be using french seam construction and you’ll have the option of a double fold hem or a flat binding to finish the hem and armholes.

Sizing: Sizes 4 - 28 (with PDF Layers)

Skill level: Suitable for beginners and early makers. If you're a total beginner we recommend following our online workshop to start your sewing journey.

You can search instagram for customer makes with the hashtag #mscaratop

Getting your fit right for the Cara Top is relatively simple. The main measurement you need to check is the bust, making sure you choose a size that has a bit of room for movement.

Measurements in cm

UK 4 | US 0 | EU 32

Bust - 91, Waist - 104.4, Shorter length - 59, Longer length - 67

UK 6 | US 2 | EU 34

Bust - 93.5, Waist - 106.9, Shorter length - 59.2, Longer length - 67.2

UK 8 | US 4 | EU 36

Bust - 96, Waist - 109, Shorter length - 59.5, Longer length - 67.5

UK 10 | US 6 | EU 38

Bust - 101, Waist - 114, Shorter length - 60, Longer length - 68

UK 12 | US 8 | EU 40

Bust - 106, Waist - 119, Shorter length - 60.5, Longer length - 68.5

UK 14 | US 10 | EU 42

Bust - 111, Waist - 124, Shorter length - 61, Longer length - 69

UK 16 | US 12 | EU 44

Bust - 116, Waist - 129, Shorter length - 61.5, Longer length - 69.5

UK 18 | US 14 | EU 46

Bust - 122, Waist - 135, Shorter length - 62, Longer length - 70

UK 20 | US 16 | EU 48

Bust - 128, Waist - 141, Shorter length - 62.5, Longer length - 70.5

UK 22 | US 18 | EU 50

Bust - 134, Waist - 147, Shorter length - 63, Longer length - 71

UK 24 | US 20 | EU 52

Bust - 140, Waist - 153, Shorter length - 63.5, Longer length - 71.5

UK 26 | US 22 | EU 54

Bust - 146, Waist - 159, Shorter length - 64, Longer length - 72

UK 28 | US 24 | EU 56

Bust - 152, Waist - 165, Shorter length - 64.5, Longer length - 72.5

Construction techniques: French seam, darts, collar, hemming or flat binding, button stands and buttons & button holes

Suitable fabrics: Light weight cottons and linens are perfect for this style

Fabric requirements: Our lay-plans are always done on a single layer of fabric to reduce wastage.

Self Fabric width 150cm | Sizes 6 - 12 = 90cm | Sizes 14 - 20 = 150cm | Sizes 18 - 20 = 160cm

Self Fabric width 110cm | Sizes 6 - 12 = 150cm | Sizes 14 - 20 = 150cm |

Sizes 18 - 20 = 160cm

Materials list: Self Fabric (see above), 5 x small buttons, 1 x spool of thread, either matching or contrast, a small strip of fusing for the buttons stands

Pages to print: Instructions - 12, A4/US Letter - 22, A0 - 1

We send out 'deep dives' and hack ideas to our subscribers and then we save them on our blog to refer back to. If you'd like to receive these ideas to your inbox then make sure you're subscribed. You can sign up from our home page.

(Another) Worker Trouser Hack - How to add a pin tuck to your Worker Trousers & a simple round neck Cara Top

A Yellow Silk Two-Piece - The Cara Top & Spring Trouser duo!

Where to find your patterns & workshops:

After purchasing you'll find your PDF pattern download and any workshops in your account page. Simply log in (or create an account using the same email address used to purchase) and click the account button in the top right corner. The most up to date versions of the patterns will always be available from within your account. If any changes are made to the pattern or instructions you’ll receive an email notification.

How to print your pattern:

You have two options for printing out your pattern.

1. You can get it printed in A0 at a printing shop or sewing pattern company. Search for "sewing pattern printing company" to find a company that does this in your region.

2. Or you can print it yourself on a home printer in A4 or US Letter format and then tile the pages together using tape.

Using PDF layers:

All of our patterns come with PDF layers so you can select the sizes you want to view and print. To do this you’ll need a PDF viewer such as Adobe Acrobat Reader (this is free to download).

More details on printing, using PDF layers and general preparation tips can be found on the ‘Using Our Patterns’ document (download for free here). This document comes with all of our patterns.

Women's Body Measurements

Bust / Waist / Hip (based on standard UK measurements) - Measurements in cms

Size 4 - 75 / 59 / 83

Size 6 - 78 / 62 / 86

Size 8 - 81 / 65 / 89

Size 10 - 86 / 70 / 94

Size 12 - 91 / 75 / 99

Size 14 - 96 / 80 / 104

Size 16 - 101 / 85 / 109

Size 18 - 106 / 90 / 114

Size 20 - 111 / 95 / 119

Size 22 - 116 / 100 / 124

Size 24 - 121 / 105 / 129

Size 26 - 126 / 110 / 134

Size 28 - 131 / 115 / 139

Men's Body Measurements

Chest / Hip - Measurements in inches & cms

XS2 - 32/81, 24/61

XS1 - 34/86, 26/66

XS - 36/91, 30/76

S - 38/96, 32/81

M - 40/101, 32/81

L - 42/106, 34/86

XL - 44/111, 36/91

XL1 - 46/116, 38/96

XL2 - 48/121.5, 40/101

XL3 - 50/127, 42/106

Cara top

The Cara top was a great beginner project. I found the video tutorial to be extremely helpful as it helped me understand how all the steps came together. Through this project, I learned how to make a button stand and a curved hem. I also swapped the collar out for bias binding --another technique that has helped me tackle trickier projects since. I think the design of this blouse is extremely understated and I did not expect it to look and feel as elegant when worn. If you're just starting out with Hetty's designs, I'd highly recommend starting with this blouse as the instructions are fantastic and leave little room for error. I plan on making matching Spring trousers to match my Cara top!

This is the second pattern I have made from the Modern sewing company (my first was the Frida shirt) and once again I am very pleased. The pattern itself is beautifully drafted and goes together easily. I made the shorter length in a liberty tana lawn and it will be perfect for warmer weather. All the seams inside are finished with french seams and the collar attaches neatly. I like the clean and stylish lines of this top and having read the blog page on the website I can see plenty of ideas for future makes. This is definitely a 5 star rated pattern.

Easy, cute and versatile

I had been wanting to try one of the Modern Sewing Company's patterns, and decided on the Cara top because I thought it would be a good indicator of how well the sizing worked for me. The only modification I made was to straighten the sides a little, because the fabric I had was not super drapey and I didn't want the shirt to flare out too much. The shirt came out great and I am so pleased! I would recommend this shirt if you want to try one of the patterns from this site. I made it with the collar, but I can also see making it without, and cropping the top for a different look. I even got several compliments when I wore it to work!

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Cara Top | PDF Pattern

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