A perfect place for my pockets.

Perhaps you remember my denim skirt? I spent a couple of days trying to decide whether to sew on the back pockets, or not. Well, I have found a perfect place for them!

A while ago, I found the FREE pdf pattern from By Hand London, the Polly Top. I knew it would be perfect for the leftover fabric I end up with occasionally… and I certainly had some left when I finished my denim skirt.

Does anyone else piece together pdf patterns the same as me? I always seem to piece together one pattern piece at a time and then immediately cut it out. I guess I feel like I am accomplishing something that way? Here you can see my first piece taking shape – like putting a puzzle together.

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There are only three pattern pieces to the Polly Top, so not too many pages to cut and tape together. Bonus – it’s a good one to start with!

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Sophie doing her inspection of my pattern assembly!

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Now since I was using the leftovers of my 100% cotton denim fabric, I didn’t quite have enough fabric to lay this one pattern piece out … so I just added in another seam to join the two sections together.

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It turned out rather well!

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Here all my front pieces are sewn together. The extra seam I put in looks like a dart that was meant to be. I also put in a front and back seam, just for the fun of it… you’ll see…

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LOTS OF TOPSTITCHING!

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There are no facings for the arm and neck holes, like I said a simple pattern. I used single fold bias tape instead.

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More TOPSTITCHING on the back seam!

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The best part? My POCKETS!

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Even though it was a lovely “almost Fall” day – warm and sunny – all I could muster was headless shots. Where’s is Mad’s talented photographer when you need him. Needless to say, I was suffering from my first cold of the season and relaxing with my sewing won over getting all dolled up for photos – so sorry!

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“Five thumbs up” for this easy to assemble and sew, FREE, comfortable top. I’m going to save the pattern pieces and try another in a knit fabric with colour blocking – I will have to see what kind of fabric scraps I have stashed away.

Has anyone else out there found a favourite FREE pdf pattern that works well? Let us know in the comments… I say you can never have too much FREE stuff!

Happy Sewing!

Tags: By Hand London Easy patterns FREE PDF sewing pattern Polly Top Single fold bias tape topstitching

28 Responses to “A perfect place for my pockets.”

mumokio

28 September 2016

What a great result. You’re right, those side seams look just like darts and as if they were meant to be there. Cute pockets too !

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1. Linda of Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!
  
  28 September 2016
  
  Thank you! It turned out well considering the amount of thought and effort that was put into it – it’s a simple top!
  
  Reply
JaneyB

28 September 2016

So glad you found a good home for those perfectly made pockets! The Annie A-Line Skirt is a nice free pattern for a very simple (and therefore quick to make) skirt. http://sewthispattern.com/product/annie-a-line-skirt-free-pattern/

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1. Linda of Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!
  
  28 September 2016
  
  Thank you! I haven’t heard of that pattern yet. I’ll go take a look!
  
  Reply
Fadanista

28 September 2016

What a fabulous outcome. I really like this top on you.

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1. Linda of Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!
  
  28 September 2016
  
  Thank you! I’m hoping another run through the wash, not the dryer, will soften the denim up, but otherwise I am happy with it!
  
  Reply
jvandervlugt

28 September 2016

I LOVE THESE TOPS! 🙆 You can dress them up for work, wear them casual. I would love a closet of these tops. If it’s cold out, throw on a cardigan. The pockets look great. I really really like the top stitching because it adds a decorative touch. 👌

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1. Linda of Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!
  
  28 September 2016
  
  Exactly my thoughts! Easy to make, versatile… I can only imagine all the variations!
  
  Reply
themateriallady

28 September 2016

Great to see that the pockets have got a good home. I tried that pattern but it didn’t work for my body shape sadly.

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1. Linda of Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!
  
  28 September 2016
  
  That’s too bad. It’s not too often you find a free pattern!
  
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themateriallady

28 September 2016

Oh, almost forgot. The best free pattern I have used is the Alexander McQueen jacket. It aint an easy make but it looked great on my daughter.
http://showstudio.com/project/design_download_alexander_mcqueen/download_the_pattern

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1. Linda of Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!
  
  28 September 2016
  
  Thank you for this! Hahaha. All I need is a free pants/trousers pattern and I’ll be complete! 😂
  
  Reply
2. Linda Wilson
  
  29 September 2016
  
  wow! I didn’t even know that Alexander Mcqueen had a pattern to download. Thank you for sharing this, it’s very interesting to see the pattern shaping
  
  Reply
  1. Linda of Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!
    
    29 September 2016
    
    Yes, it was news to me too!
    
    Reply
Thimberlina

28 September 2016

I made a polly a couple of years ago (I think) in a drapey fabric and have worn it loads. I never thought if using a denim but it works so well! My first few pdfs I cut out your way but then always had bits and found it really hard. Then I discovered sticking it in one go. I tend to lay them out and work out which won’t have to be stuck together. And I find glue easier than tape too.
You’ve got me thinking I need another polly in my life.
PS so glad you found a home for those cute pockets 😃

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1. Linda of Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!
  
  28 September 2016
  
  Thank you! This denim is as lightweight as they come I think. I’m still not getting any drape out of it. I’ll try a knit next! I’m probably doing the PDFs thing wrong, but I have a serious lack of space!
  
  Reply
Naomi

28 September 2016

What an interesting front detail and I like how the top-stritching accentuates it. (And always good to have kitty approved patterns 😉 )

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1. Linda of Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!
  
  28 September 2016
  
  Thank you! I’m just glad that cat is tiny and doesn’t get in the way much or there could be problems!
  
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Sewniptuck

28 September 2016

Oooh, great versatile little summer number and thanks for all the links to freebies everyone!

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1. Linda of Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!
  
  28 September 2016
  
  Thank you! Enjoy browsing the links!
  
  Reply
Linda Wilson

29 September 2016

That’s such an interesting link from the material lady. I need to see what else they have to download?? Is there nothing that can’t be found online by these clever sewing ladies.
Anyway, I digress, that’s a perfect outcome for those pockets! I think denim often softens best with wear! I can’t stand facings on a top like that, give me a binding or binding facing anytime! Looks great.

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1. Linda of Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!
  
  29 September 2016
  
  Thank you, I am sure this top will get as rumpled, wrinkled and worn out as my favourite jeans! 😃👍
  
  Reply
corrineappleby

1 October 2016

So pleased you managed to find a use for those pockets! They look great on your new top 😀

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1. Linda of Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!
  
  1 October 2016
  
  Thank you! I’m glad they didn’t go to waste and it felt better with more designing on my top than my skirt!
  
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Mother of Reinvention

2 October 2016

What a brilliant use for all your leftover fabric and those lovely pockets. This top looks amazing. Xx

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1. Linda of Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!
  
  2 October 2016
  
  Thank you! This pattern is perfect for using up those large leftovers. I’ve got some knit fabrics I can try it with next time.
  
  Reply
klarisabet

7 October 2016

Looking good!

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1. Linda of Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!
  
  7 October 2016
  
  Thank you!
  
  Reply

A perfect place for my pockets.

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28 Responses to “A perfect place for my pockets.”