So excited I had the chance to test this pattern for Adrianna from Hey June Patterns. She has created such an amazing top pattern for summer, the Santa Fe. It’s so versatile, super easy to sew, and it’s a three season top. I would still wear them in the winter with cardigans and sweaters since it doesn’t get very cold here. Saying I love this pattern is honestly an understatement! After the Union St Tee, this is by far my favorite top. I plan on making 20 more!
The Santa Fe comes with SIX different versions, and technically nine if you count the versions with and without the center seams. You have a ton of options to choose from! All views are a wide, flowy knit top perfect all those drapey knits you aren’t quite sure what to do with! Views A-C have optional center seams. Views D-F have contrasting insets. The insets are a great opportunity to use of some scrap pieces you have left over from other projects! You can color block or pattern block. You can use cotton spandex, lace, or faux stretch leather for the insets. I’m sure you could even use french terry, liverpool, and scuba for the insets too!
Views A & D are both a narrow strap tank top, but the only difference is that view A can be made with or without center seams, and view D has contrasting insets.
The black is view A in a rayon spandex I got from Joann’s. I made this one with center seams, left it unhemmed, and used a flatlock style top stitching on my coverstitch for a sporty look. Of course I forgot to get a close up of the stitching! If you have any issues with top stitching, you can use tear away or wash away interfacing.
The navy tie dye (rayon spandex) is also from Joann’s. This is view A, unhemmed and without the center seams.
Another view A in a gorgeous periwinkle rayon floral from Sew Vaga Bond! I’m surprised I convinced myself to cut into this fabric! I was planning on hoarding it for the rest of my life… This one has no center seams, and it’s hemmed.
This beauty is view D! (Excuse the insane lighting, the sun was starting to set.) This one is definitely one of my favorites, and also my husband’s fave. Stripes are cotton rayon jersey blend and the solid is a cotton spandex. Both are from Girl Charlee. Below is a close up of the insets.
Views B & E are a wider strap tank top. View B can be made with or without center seams, and view E has contrasting insets.
Bright blue is a modal spandex from Joann’s. Modal is great because it doesn’t shrink or distort during washing and drying like rayon does, and it’s SUPER soft and drapey! I do have to say, top stitching and hemming was a pain even on my coverstitch, but I absolutely love how it came out. I made this one with center seams and unhemmed.
Also a view B without the center seams, and it’s hemmed. Fabric is a cotton rayon spandex from Girl Charlee.
Another view B in a bright rayon spandex tie dye from Joann’s. I used the blue modal above for the binding on this one, although you can hardly tell. No center seam and unhemmed.
Unfortunately I didn’t get final pictures of this one! I had to redo the binding, but never actually had the time before pictures. This is a view E, hemmed, with cotton rayon spandex bodice and faux stretch leather insets. Both fabrics are from Girl Charlee. I plan on using regular cotton spandex for the binding.
Finally, we have view C which is a dolman style top with cuffs. I made this one in a solid burgundy rayon spandex from Joann’s. This was actually my muslin, but I loved it so much! I left this one unhemmed.
Fabric makes a huge difference in the final look. Any lightweight, drapey fabric is perfect for this top! Cotton spandex, lace, faux stretch leather, and other fabrics would still work for the insets only. Others who tested the pattern in smaller sizes were able to use lightweight wovens so that’s also an option! The Santa Fe pattern shows you how to use binding for the neck and armscyles, but using bands will work also! Since this is such a drapey, lightweight top, hemming is an option! Perfect for those who hate hemming!
Go ahead and grab the Santa Fe Top while it’s 25% off until May 16th! No code needed for discount! Check out all the tops Adrianna made on her blog, and also look at all the awesome tops in the tester round up which should be online tomorrow! I can’t wait to see all the Santa Fe’s you make in the Hey June Pattern group on facebook!!! I hope everyone has a great weekend!
-This blog does contain affiliate link, but all opinions are my own!-
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