Twist and Shout with Rebecca Page's Talia Tunic & Twist Top Pattern

Some days I'm dark and Twisty like Meredith Grey.

Other days I want to Twist and Shout (before my back suddenly gives out).

Either way, I really enjoyed making the Talia Tunic and Twist Top patterns.  Together, they enhance what I've been blessed with. Apart...well...they have the same effect. 

The Twist top has multiple arm lengths, and hugs my bust in a lovely way!  

Sewing it up, DEFINITELY read the instructions AND watch the video.  The instructions are a bit confusing at first.  Sewing the second shoulder seam is definitely a lot more confusing than the first. 

That could also be migraine brain getting super confused lately. 

I only needed to take my seam ripper out once before I got the concept. 

I recommend a straight stitch the first time around sewing the shoulder seams...JUST in case. 

I've paired this Twist Top with my favourite pair of Pippa Pants. 

As you can see, the Talia Tunic is the perfect length. 

I'm 5'-2" and didn't hem it - the lovely wonders of soft knit fabrics that don't fray. 

I paired my Tunic above with my Mini Peggy Skirt and one of the last non-me-made leggings in my wardrobe.

This Talia Tunic is a lovely DBP - again, unhemmed and super flowy.  I just love the feel and the drape. 

The front and back gathers along with fabric choice bring this top together. 

The binding is MUCH easier to make than anticipated - the instructions are detailed verbally and with pictures, and you can find the perfect strap length for your body with one quick fit test. 

My final Twist top has 3/4 length sleeves, and is made of a lightweight stretch lace/velvet fabric. 

It has pretty Tardis blue within the black fabric.  

It has been paired with my hacked Slim Cargo Pants. 


Overall, this pattern can be as casual or fun as you like - and I definitely recommend lighter weight knits to keep with the flow. 

A boxier cotton lycra or scuba for the tunic would make it larger and not flow well - but may work well for the twist top. 

Enjoy these quick sews - they'll certainly become staples in your wardrobe in no time. 

Get your Talia Tunic here.

Get you Talia Twist Top Here


Bundle it up Here.

***Affiliate Links Above used - I love these patterns, and without the help of those who love their patterns, marketing would be extremely difficult for the pattern makers we love and learn to love. Affiliate links help with the hours, fabric, and tears that go behind testing each pattern in order to provide a real-person view on the patterns for you (and me!) 

Come and Knock at My Door - Rebecca Page's Chrissy Crossover Has Been Waiting For You!

I love wrap tops and ruching - and the Rebecca Page Chrissy Crossover incorporates both!

Fun Fact: My nickname growing up (and that my parents and sister still call me) was Chrissy.

Much nicer than the Crystal Chandelier or Bow Wow I got at school.

She includes:

- Top, Knee, or Midi Dress Length

- Gathered or Smooth Skirt (below bust) options

- Optional Cami for modesty or nursing

- Optional binding or fold over elastic for cami straps

- No fastenings

- Ladies XXS to 5XL sizing



I paired my first top with my Paige Pencil Skirt, giving a more professional look to my outfit (or Shazam as those boots really rock!).

I used lightweight jersey (striped) and normal weight cotton lycra (plain fabric) from Water Tower Textiles, along with some scrappy European cotton Lycra filled with butterflies, flowers, and whimsy.

Note: the normal weight cotton lycra doesn't drape so well, so I don't recommend it for the front skirt if you opt for the ruching option - otherwise it will hang droopily and not be so flattering. The lighter the fabric for the Ruching portion, the more flattering and flowier it will be.

The bust portion requires NO fastenings and isn't going to be opening up on its own accord (yay!) - I did take 1" off the bodice portion as I'm 5'2" with a 35.5" full bust and 33.5" high bust.  Since the pattern is graded for a C bust, this was a wise decision.  I also learnt to reduce the bodice portion during my Meghan Wrap dress testing, where an inch of the height made all the difference of playing peek-a-boo or not.

I love the ruching on my top - it's perfect for large meal days, and I feel comfortable and alluring in it. Due to the body con fit of the remainder of the top, it also gives me more confidence. And hey, it's ruching - which means it's awesome! 

Again, look at my sleeves - I'm in love with this fabric I got during a blitz fast finger auction at Okee Dokee Canadian Fabrics a few months back.  Sure it was a scrap, but I can do a lot with scraps, and rarely have anything created from just one fabric alone.  This means lovely co-ordinates -and I want ALL the fabric, so buying 2 metres of one fabric means I miss out on 1 metre of another...I rarely buy 2 metres of consistent fabric - there's just too many to try out!





My second top is pretty nerdy, but I love it.

The fabric is from Zenith and Quasar - a quirky fabric company based out of Tennessee.  I won a Facebook sew-a-long recently, and part of my winnings included a lovely gift certificate to try out Z & Q.

Again - SO many fabrics, I opted for a surprise box (5+ yards of whatever they want to send me), and this nerdy cartoon organs (yes..like heart, lungs, kidney) and lime green super soft better-than-spandex fabric were calling to be made into Chrissy.

Fact: I used the cut off border from the custom fabric - the white band usually gets cut off, but I felt it made a good inbetween for the lime green and organs - so I left it on. I also lacked 1" of the organ fabric, so just went with it.

This is SOOO comfy in a softer silkier fabric vs my already comfy cotton jersey fabric version.

I'm thinking next season, it will be the perfect cycling jersey!  Just add a water bottle pocket to the back, and voila.  The ruching will hide my winter belly, and I'll be totally stylin' on the bike paths!

I also paired Chrissy with my amazing-butt Pippa pants.

Overall, it's an easy sew, the ruching is easier than you think, and fabric does make all the difference in the fit and feel.

You NEED a faux wrap top in your wardrobe - and you can't go wrong with Chrissy!

Sew On!

Sewing Pattern Review: The Neve Wrap Blouse

I love a nice flowy shirt that doesn't feel bulky.

Enter Rebecca Page's new pattern, the Neve Wrap Top.

On Sale throughout July 2018 for 30% Off!!

It's best made with flowy fabrics, like this chiffon type fabric I scored at Fabricland a few weeks ago! 

What more screams summer than Sunglasses?



Neve features:

- Options for either wovens or knits

-  Sleeve tab options

I prefer the tab feature, as it brings the loose sleeves up and makes the top a bit less billowy. 

The back is sewn with a middle seam, and is intentionally lower than the front - it can easily be tucked into your skirt or pants for a full billow look front and back.

I like the look of the back untucked - do you?

I used hemming tape for the hem so it sat still - especially while sewing it up - otherwise, it would leak to a wonky hemming job that I'd prefer not to have.

After sewing the hem, I ironed, ironed, ironed, and it sits flat now.

The front billows, and wraps around - I definitely recommend wearing a tank top or camisole underneath in order to prevent spillage from you-know-where.

It is sewn with an elastic waistband, and may be a higher rise than I generally wear, therefore I didn't cut the pattern piece on the shorten line (I'm 5'-2") so it sat as low as possible.





You can see the sleeve at the side - both arm up and down.

I've paired this with the new Peggy Skirt, which is sort of high waisted and a good fit with the Neve Wrap Top!

My recommendation:

- Sew slowly with lightweight fabrics!

- Use a lightweight fabric - anything medium weight or more structured will simply look boxy, and not feel so flattering

- Learn to love French seams - I've sewn so many in the last few weeks, I love the look of the finished seams inside! 

- Size down if you want a less billowy look (I went with Small vs my normal Medium, and didn't grade for my hips/waist to XL as I normally with with Rebecca Page Patterns).

The Neve Wrap Top is a lovely cover up top for the beach, summer party, or running errands

Sew on!