The Sienna Top Tutorial + Free Pattern

This top was first shared at The Sewing Rabbit as part of our monthly contribution last year, and I've decided to bring it home! I hope you enjoy the tutorial and free pattern in 4T for this cute top!

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The kiddos are going back to school soon, and that means they need some cute clothes to add to their wardrobe (and I need another excuse to buy more fabric!) My 4-year-old is very tall for her age, so she's always outgrowing everything. I guess I can't complain, I love to sew for her! She's at the age where she genuinely loves the things I make for her, so of course that fuels my sewing itch even more.

The Sienna Top was created with my daughter's preferences in mind. It needed to be comfortable enough for everyday wear, but still have a girly flair to it. This comfy knit top has a small pocket in front and slight curved hems, but the bows along the back neckline are what make it really special. My daughter loves it; and best of all, I'm sharing a free pattern in 4T with you today! Since my daughter is so tall, it's on the larger edge of a 4T, so children in a 5 may be able to wear it as well (you may want to extend the bottom hemline down a bit though.)



SUPPLIES: free printable pattern in 4T HERE, 3/4 yard knit fabric for the front and back, 1/4 yard knit for the bows, scraps of fold over elastic (FOE) for bows, sewing machine and basic supplies.

Cut Out Your Pattern Pieces:

ONE: first, print and cut out my free pattern HERE on card stock. Tape together the pieces as directed. The pattern goes to the very edge of the page, so make sure you check the 1 inch test box after it's printed out to make sure your sizing is correct. Cut out one front piece on the fold, one back piece (with neckline on the dotted lines) on the fold, 2 bow pieces on the fold, and also two pieces of fold over elastic (FOE) about 1 1/2 inches long.

Making and Attaching Your Bows:

ONE: fold one of your bow pieces in half long ways with the right sides together. Sew down the long edge to make a tube. Turn right side out and press with the seam to the center of your bow. Repeat with other bow piece.
TWO: make a small tube with your FOE by placing the sides right sides together and stitching down the side. Turn right side out and slide over your bow piece.
THREE: place your back piece with the right side facing down. Fold down the raw edge of your neckline 1/4 inch and pin all around. Sew with a zig-zag stitch to secure.
FOUR: Place your bows on the neckline of your back piece (make sure the crease of your bows are facing up) and pin down the edges. Sew on top of your existing stitches to attach the bows to your back neckline. Cut off any excess fabric.

Assemble Your Top:

ONE: hem your front neckline just as you did the back neckline in step 3 above.
TWO: place your font piece on top of your back piece with right sides together. Pin the shoulders, and stitch with a zig-zag stitch to secure the shoulders only.
THREE: if you'd like to add a pocket, cut out your pocket piece and iron the top down 1/2 inch. Sew straight across. Turn under each side and iron.
FOUR: open up your shirt and place your pocket on the front where you'd like it. Pin and sew around the edges to secure (don't sew the top!)
FIVE: lay your shirt right side down, and fold each sleeve 1/4 inch. Pin and sew to hem.
SIX: fold your shirt with right sides facing, and pin the bottom of your sleeves and sides. Using a zig-zag stitch, sew across the bottoms of each sleeve and down the sides. Finally, fold up the bottom of your shirt 1/2 inch, pin and sew to hem.

And you're done!

I love the bow detail in the back. You could combine any number of pretty knits to make the shirt your own. I fell in love with this Native Stripes print from Banberry Place and knew I had to include it in this top. It gives the shirt a fun, southwestern feel. The main fabric is stretch denim from Jo-Ann Fabrics (which I make bi-weekly trips to, if not more :)

And of course, because I couldn't stop at just one shirt, I made another in purple and polka dot.

This version is a little dressier, and my daughter's favorite. She demanded purple, so who am I to argue? The girl has good taste :)

I hope you enjoy making a Sienna Top for your little girl as well. And if you have any questions, please let me know!