Man I feel like a bad ass in this top! As what my retired father who used to sell cars affectionately refers to as “a 1971 model”, that doesn’t happen all that often!

This is the sleeveless short peplum top version the Mix it up dress from George & Ginger designs. I see many more of these in my future because this pattern has an AMAZING number of options so you could sew your entire wardrobe of dresses and tunic topics from this pattern alone:

Options include (taken directly from the G&G website):

Front Bodice–yoke, horseshoe, leaf, keyhole and asymmetric (I did leaf!)

Back Bodice–yoke, square, diamond, keyhole and full closure (I think I did full closure)

Sleeves–sleeveless, cap, short, elbow, 3/4 and long (sleeveless for this first go)

Skirts–full circle (peplum, mini, dress), half circle (peplum, mini, dress), handkerchief (peplum, mini, dress), hi-lo tunic (short and long) AND fitted skirt to add to peplum, hi-lo or stand alone (I did the short peplum length to achieve a top vs a dress)

I used a nice stable knit for this – a crepe textured Liverpool from Fabricmart Fabrics (they often have great sales on their doubleknits and liverpools which I love to sew). Using a stable knit with some weight to it is helpful if you are going to do the lined bodice because the instructions call for you to use your sewing machine on it and also understitch the neckline. My Singer HATES lightweight jerseys and especially double-brushed poly (DBP) so I’ve pretty much given up on sewing those fabrics on anything but my serger.

The instructions were very clear and surprisingly for me, my first attempt to get this somewhat ornate neckline to lay flat was a success. I sewed a straight size 10 based on my measurements for G&G, and the fit is perfect…so no changes for future versions.

I REALLY love this pattern and I highly recommend it. I’m a huge G&G fan – the pattern designer achieves an edgy and hip feel for her patterns but keeps the techniques simple and within the reach of beginner and intermediate sewists. And I love that although I am likely older than the average G&G sewist (I say based on all the hip photos I see on the site!), I can make something a little different that still feels like me.

Get the pattern here: https://georgeandgingerpatterns.com/collections/dresses/products/the-mix-it-up-dress-womens-sizes-pdf-sewing-pattern

Check out my other G&G makes: https://sewnsilly.com/tag/george-ginger/

Thanks for stopping by! 🙂