by Claudine Gauvin This was my very first time working on a project using eyelet embroidery, and I have to say, the idea came to me quite naturally: this season, openwork fabrics are absolutely everywhere! Whether it’s tops, dresses in crochet, lace, or embroidery, they’re a major trend in stores. Feminine, elegant, and light, they instantly add a fresh touch to any summer outfit.
When I came across this black and white fabric with scalloped edges — both graphic and delicate — it was love at first sight. And as soon as I found this top pattern, featuring fabric ties instead of traditional buttons, I knew it would be the perfect project to highlight the beauty of the embroidery.
The McCalls #M8557 pattern originally offers a peplum cut with puff sleeves — very pretty — but I preferred to adapt it to my style by opting for a straight, blouse-like cut. My biggest hesitation was choosing between short sleeves or sleeveless. After trying both versions, the sleeveless style won me over. To create a clean finish around the arms, I added a black bias binding around the armholes.
The ties were supposed to be easy to make, but with my openwork fabric, turning tiny fabric strips right side out turned into quite the challenge! I ended up using a method I like for making belt loops: folding the fabric wrong sides together, then folding each edge towards the centre, just like making bias tape, before topstitching close to the edge. This way, the ties came out neat, strong, and perfectly suited to this kind of fabric.
I briefly considered using store-bought ribbon to make things easier, but in the end, I’m happy I stuck with the original fabric — it keeps the whole look much more cohesive.
When you work with a fabric that has a beautiful scalloped border, you really want to make the most of it! I carefully positioned the embroidered edge at strategic places — like at the hem of the top — to create a natural, finished look without needing to sew a traditional hem.
When cutting, instead of following a straight line as usual, I carefully followed the curves of each scallop to preserve the charm of the embroidery. It takes a bit more patience, but it’s definitely worth it: the scalloped edge adds a sophisticated touch without any extra finishing work.
The rest of the sewing process went very smoothly. This top will easily find a place in my summer wardrobe: perfect paired with white jeans, linen shorts, or even worn open over a swimsuit with a sarong on vacation.
Long live eyelet embroidery! If you’re tempted to give it a try, go for it — there are so many beautiful colours and patterns out there, perfect for creating a unique, lightweight, and charming piece for the sunny season.
