Hello readers! Today I’m reviewing a pattern that has been around for a while; however, it was recently re-released with an extended size range and an additional view.
Disclaimer: I was a pattern tester for this pattern, and while I was given a free copy of the pattern as a thank you for testing, the opinions in this review are my own. Although I made the “test” version, my understanding is that there were minimal (if any) changes to the pattern draft from “test” to final version. I know that just about all of the pattern testers found the fit to be spot-on from the size chart, which aimed for a relaxed but not oversized fit.
I wanted to share my version here because I’ve been wearing it pretty much every wash cycle–it’s a great cozy sweatshirt with a fun design detail as we’re entering the cold winter months here in the Northern Hemisphere. The pattern in question is the Blank Slate Tulip Top–a raglan-sleeved sweatshirt-style top with a crossover that can be placed in the front or the back. Note that the front- and back-crossover have separate pattern pieces for each view.
Pattern name: Tulip Top by Blank Slate Patterns
Blank Slate – Tulip Top
Size range (with measurements)
The size range for the Tulip Top was recently updates, with sizes 1X-3X added to the old Blank Slate size range of XXS-XL. The current size range fits up to a 53″/135 cm bust and a 55″/149 cm hip (size 3X). Note that Blank Slate includes a high bust measurement on their size chart to help with choosing a size.
What size did you make?
Per my testing instructions, I made a size 2X with a 3″ FBA.
Blank Slate Tulip Top
What are your measurements, height, and body type? (If reviewing a top or dress, bra size is very helpful for our readers.)
I am 5’2″, with a 53″ full bust and 53″ full hip. My shape seems to be morphing into an apple shape over the past year or two.
What fabric did you use?
I used a quilted sweatshirt fabric from my stash. It’s reversible! I used one side for the sleeves and the under-piece in back and the other side for the body. The cuffs and bindings are from a rib knit from my stash.
I’d love to make this again using a French terry.
What adjustments did you make and how long did they take?
The only adjustment that I made was a 3″ FBA, where I gathered the “dart” legs into the side seam. Because I needed an FBA, I also needed to lengthen the corresponding binding piece slightly.
Blank Slate Tulip Top – Crossover back
What was the construction process like? Did the instructions make sense to you?
The construction process was easy. If you’ve sewn a raglan-sleeved sweatshirt or t-shirt before, you’ll be able to sew this up in an afternoon. Note that the bottom hem and neck have knit bindings and not knit bands.
How do you like the pattern’s fit? Do you think the design works well for your particular body shape?
I’m happy with the fit. It’s a relaxed fit without being oversized. This is the top that I reach for when I want to wear something very comfortable and cozy.
I don’t think there’s any figure trickery with this top–it’s essentially a sweatshirt. If you like to wear sweatshirt-style tops (like I do), I think you’ll be happy with this one.
Will you make the pattern again? If so, what fit or design changes will you make?
Yes! I would love at least one more of these, although I think I’ll try the front cross-over version next. The tester version showed pretty good coverage on that one, so I’m not worried about gaping. I will need to re-do my FBA (because of the different pattern pieces) and also remember to extend the FBA to the binding pieces.
Blank Slate Tulip Top -side
Do you have any advice on this pattern for other curvy sewers? Are there any resources (blog posts, fitting books, tutorials) that helped you sew this piece up?
This pattern fits true-to-size. The inclusive size range means that most of us won’t need to grade up to get a sweatshirt that fits.
Size Range (1-5): 4.5 (The size range is very inclusive.)
Instructions (1-5): 4.5 (The instructions had a few minor confusing bits in the test version, but I can confirm that those have been fixed. Note that there is some color-coding with some of the diagrams, so you might want to look over the instructions on a laptop or tablet as opposed to printing them out in black-and-white.
Construction Process (1-5): 5 (Easy-peasy.)
Final Fit (1-5): 4.5 (Fits as expected. One tester in the non-plus range found that the top ran a bit large on her, but overall, the testers were very happy with the fit. Several of us felt that the top could use a little more room in the hip/booty area, depending on the stretch of your fabric.)
Overall Rating (1-5): 4.6 (Average score)
Hi Michele,
I just love your writing! Sometimes I’m not even interested in the pattern, but I always read anything you’ve written because I enjoy it so much. Keep it up!
Thank you! That is a huge compliment!
Cute, Michelle! Love your fabric choices!
Michelle, This is a great top. Thank you for testing it out. I hope that Blank Slate is going to extend the sizing on all their patterns. A lot of us just don’t have the time to grade patterns to size and then make adjustment, too. They have such cute patterns, but it is hard to find which ones have extended sizing. Comparing your information to that on their website, it seems like there is a lot of ease in the pattern. Have you made other styles from Blank Slate and do you find that to be true?
Melly (from BS) is looking at extending the size range for her older patterns–they’ll probably be released a pattern at a time, here and there. Her newer patterns all have the extended size range.
I have found their patterns to run true-to-size, but I’m also a person who doesn’t like super-fitted things. The Tulip top is designed to have -1 to +1 inch of ease (if I remember correctly) depending on where you fall within your chosen size. That seems about right to me, based on my own experience and how other testers’ tops turned out.
Oh, this is VERY nice indeed. Is it intended for construction on a sewing machine or an overlocker?
The instructions are written for a regular sewing machine but I used my serger (overlocker) for everything except the bindings. There is a step in there to stabilize the hem area so as not to stretch out the hem when applying the bindings.
This looks so nice! I really like the contrast to go with the split/tulip shape and think using the tulip for both front and back on the same top would be cool.
Awesome sewing ! Im inspired !
Cute! It looks really good on you. And who doesn’t want something great looking AND cozy. 🙂