The Esme Top

Esme sports a gentle, 50s-inspired batwing sleeve and your choice of a shawl collar or V-neckline. A quick and satisfying make, Esme is the perfect palate-cleanser between more involved projects.

 

A to F cups in sizes 6 to 34!
Up to hip 159.5cm or 62 3/4″

Check out the new Size Guide Info here.

 

The Details

Say hello to the Esme Top – with so many options included to personalise your Esme, you’ll be hard pressed to choose which mix’n’match options to make first. From cuffed long or short sleeves, to long-line or regular bodice lengths to shawl or V-necklines, Esme has something for everyone and every season.

The Shawl Collar variation looks great teamed with a pair of denim slacks or cropped pencil jeans for a retro Teddy Girl vibe. Alternatively, tuck a long-line, V-necked Esme into your favourite high-waisted skirt for the perfect casual Marilyn look.

Made with comfy stretch knits, the grown-on, 50s-style batwing sleeve can be worn short or extended (using the included Long Sleeve pattern piece) and Esme is perfect for colour and pattern blocking! Both the long and short sleeves include cuffed hemlines that are great for using up odd bits of knit scraps you have tucked away in your sewing room.

Esme is easy to grade under the arm for a more exaggerated batwing sleeve it that’s more your style. Esme has been styled with the Bastion Culottes, available in both JLH Original and JLHCurve size ranges.

 

Skill Level

Esme is designed for confident beginners through to advanced seamstresses. If you’ve never sewn with knits before, Esme could be the perfect project to dip your toes into the wonderful world of knits.

With a special technique for getting the perfect squared off necklines, you’ll be wondering why you didn’t jump in ages ago.

 

Sizing

The Esme Top comes in both the Original and Curve sizes individually, or in an economical bundle option where you can access both size ranges, from 6 to 34 with cups A to F. You can find the new sizing information here, including how to choose your cup size.

Depending on the size range you choose and your cup size, Esme can have slight negative to slight positive ease at the bust, to zero/positive ease at the waist.

If you’re worried about choosing a size, I’ve also included a whole bunch of additional Finished Garment Measurements. Simply compare these measurements to a knit top you already like the fit of (or one you know you’d like to alter) and you’ll be surprised at how much of the hard stuff is already done.

Esme is drafted for an average height of 170cm or 5’7″

 

Multiple Bust Cups – A to F

Due to the nature of  knit fabrics and the gentle batwing sleeve, two cup sizes are integrated per front bodice – A+B and C+D Original Pattern, and C+D and E+F Curve Pattern. This gives a total of 4 front bodice pattern pieces to choose from (rather than 8 separated cups).

 

Fabric Options

Look for medium knit fabrics with good stretch across the grain. Knits should have 40% stretch with good recovery.

The long sleeved Esme works well in floppier/drapier knits with less structure (both long sleeve Esme examples – Jen in green and Tatenda in stripes, are made with 100% merino knit). In this case, if using the shawl collar, you may wish to interface this to keep it looking crisp and staying upright during wear.

All variations (bindings, shawl collar, long sleeve piece, cuffs) can be made with the same fabric as the body, or a contrasting fabric for colour and pattern blocking potential.

 

Meet the Models

 

Tatenda – Curve, Yellow Short Sleeve & Stripe Long Sleeve.

Tatenda is wearing a 24E+F Curve Esme Top. The waist is graded out to a 28 along with the hip.

3cm (1 1/8″) was removed in length from the long sleeve pattern piece. No adjustment was made to the bodice length, but please note Tatenda is shorter than the 170cm (5’7″) height Esme is designed for.

High Bust: 120cm / 47 1/4″

Full Bust: 130cm / 51 1/4″

Waist: 117cm / 46″

Hip: 145cm / 57 1/8″

Height: 157cm / 5’2″

 

Jen – Original, Stripe Short Sleeve & Green Long Sleeve

Jen wears a 10C+D Original Esme Top, graded out to a 12 at the waist and back to a 10 at the hip. No other adjustments were made to the pattern.

High Bust: 84cm / 33 1/8″

Full Bust: 91.5cm / 36″

Waist: 76cm / 30″

Hip: 99.5cm / 39 1/8″

Height: 170cm / 5″ 7′