The Desira top, with cute cap-like sleeves, flattering neckline, and belted waist, is the essential wrap top for your wardrobe. Make it as a top or lengthen it into a dress!
Japanese printed cotton
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May 29, 2015, 01.56 PMby Rehanamark
great project
Apr 15, 2011, 12.33 PMby tinybows
wow, i want to make this!!!
Apr 14, 2011, 06.48 PMby FabricUiPhoneApp
I think the sleeves alone are a fresh way to add oomph to blouses. Although somehow I’m thinking the top also needs shoulder pads. Just little ones to give it more weight.
Nov 2, 2009, 11.24 AMby candyjoyce
I’ve made a couple of these now and it’s a great pattern. I’ve also lengthened it to a wrap dress which worked out really well. For my next Desira based project I am going to try to draft some ‘proper’ sleeves for it using Gedwoods ‘how to’ so that I can wear the desira in winter too.
Cheers Burdastyle…. Candy
Oct 8, 2009, 07.20 AMby rauerbac
I just cut a size 38 out on 45" fabric, and laid it out to take less than 1.75 yards. It’s been a long time since I sewed anything, and this is my first foray back into it, but so far it seems to be working…now I just need to decipher all the instructions!
Sep 1, 2009, 03.42 AMby 0mega
The instructions say this pattern requires 3 yards of fabric. I’m surprised it requires so much. To those of you who have made it, can you tell me whether this is correct?
May 3, 2009, 05.18 PMby kylielovestosew
I love this pattern and hope to make it soon. i think it would be nice in linen.
Sep 17, 2008, 08.22 PMby smnr
I’m going to try and lengthen it to a dress for this summer, any tips?
Feb 15, 2008, 05.13 AMby moonbird
The intruction pdf isan’t working for me and i just taped and cut the pattern out :(.
ah well im sure ill figure it out.
Nov 9, 2007, 11.30 AMby zhenyak
Stunning. I’m inspired.
Oct 9, 2007, 08.33 PMby apriljay79
I absolutely adore this & can’t wait to make it! Burdastyle, you are the best, thank you for all the fabulous patterns!!
Oct 4, 2007, 10.26 AMby knitpixy
Zora, I have the same problem! I am size 30-32 and short too so I have to chop the length out of everything. Elainemay’s how-to is great, it took me ages to do it the first time but the effort is well worth it! I have downsized the Emily pattern successfully. I would say the biggest help is a dressform (I have a petite one), or a very patient friend (with you willing to try it on every 5 minutes) and a curves ruler. For a pattern I have to downsize more than 2 sizes I do the same measuring then sew with a little extra seam allowance. I pin the pattern together and try that on the dressform first to save myself frustration… it is very annoying to be outside the ‘normal’ range, whichever end! (and is anyone else with me on this ‘real woman’ thing… just because I am a petite version, makes me no less real than my curvy friends!)
Oct 4, 2007, 03.08 AMby elainemay
this is cute! but wrt the pattern, it seems like 2 5/8 yards of fabric is a lot for a little sleeveless top, even if it does have a wrap front— that’s more than most of the dresses on the site use, even celestina, which has sleeves. is that fabric allowance accurate? @zora: i made a how-to for sizing a pattern down- you should be able to size it down at least to a 32 using this method (possibly smaller but i’ve never gone down more than 2 sizes so i don’t know) and it shouldn’t be too hard since there aren’t many pieces. i do this every time i sew and it works great.
Oct 2, 2007, 09.39 AMby nayantara
Hi Zora, Sorry that the sizing isn’t right for you. You can always adjust the pattern to fit you, and for a pattern like this, making it smaller shouldn’t be difficult. Just figure out the difference in bust and waist measurements, and say for example you are 2" smaller at the waist all the way around, take off 1/2" on each side seam, and blend in with the original pattern line. You can do the same for the bust. Let me know if you need more assistance. :)
Oct 1, 2007, 11.15 PMby pousyyyyy2003
love it toooo & it seem to be so easy ….wiz lenghten’ it ,it can be a great dress ….Thx burdastyle this is the pattern i was dreaming about I adore this site
Oct 1, 2007, 09.15 PMby littleladyluxe
Love love love it! Very excited about this one :)
Oct 1, 2007, 08.12 PMby marcy harriell | oonaballoona
LOVE IT! can’t wait to make it! and the model is absolutely gorgeous, love that color on her.