Introducing The Bronte Top! Pattern Number Two.

Friday, June 6, 2014
You Guys -  she's here! I'm so excited to introduce you to my second pattern, The Bronte Top...






I love RTW knit tops - they are the perfect thing to wear with my ever favourite circle skirt. They're easy to wash, don't wrinkle, they're comfortable and perfect for layering on these cold and clear winter mornings we've been having (the best kind of winter morning in my opinion. We've had some amazing sunrises!).

However, I didn't want to re-invent the wheel and make just another classic knit top. Nope, this knit top needed to have a vintage edge, in keeping with my style, what I feel comfortable in and something that would blend seamlessly into my current handmade wardrobe. Enter, Bronte.




Bronte is a 40's inspired knit top that you can make with long or short sleeves. What makes her stand out amongst other knit top patterns is her 40's inspired shoulder detail. The back pattern piece sweeps over the shoulder creating a 40s style shrug sleeve which you can then either leave plain or decorate with buttons or other notions of your choosing. I've always loved and been drawn to 40s patterns that feature the shrug style shoulder, so it only made sense to incorporate this beautiful detail into my favourite type of top.

You can use a contrast binding around the neckline or keep her simple by using the same fabric you're making up the body with.




Bronte is also deceptively easy to whip up - in fact, for a few of my pattern testers, she was the first knit they had ever made!

After all the amazing feedback I received on how I laid out my Afternoon Blouse pattern, Bronte is done in exactly the same way which means she's super easy to print out and put together. You only need to print out the version you want to make up, you don't have to rearrange your entire living room to tape together one huge pattern sheet AND doing things my way means you save a bunch of printing paper, making both your pocket, watch and the Earth happy while doing so.

I will be running a sew-a-long for Bronte with detailed posts on lots of useful things like selecting the right kind of knit fabric for her, useful machine settings and stitches, and of course, detailed photographs that will walk you step by step through each process of constructing your own Bronte Top. If you've never sewn with knits before, I hope making Bronte will encourage you to dip your toes in! Sew-a-long details to come.

Bronte is a multi-sized pattern that ranges from an NZ size 6 to 20 and you can purchase the digital pdf pattern files from my Etsy Shop.

So, what do you think? Good? Bad? Okay-ish?

xx
J

83 comments on "Introducing The Bronte Top! Pattern Number Two."
  1. I LOVE it. I haven't sew with knits much (or at all) but this is so lovely I have to give it a try.

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  2. So so cute!!! I love knit tops, easy to sew & comfy to wear. Looking forward to making this on my new Coverstitch machine that I ordered today, it's like you knew ;)

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    1. I think you were the first person to buy it Jennie!!! I soooooo hope you like her (and using your new baby to make her!).

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    2. Haha :) Well you always post when I'm off to bed & as I'm quite forgetful since having a baby, so it's best for me to do things straight away or I forget in my sleep ;)

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  3. Exciting!! Looks fabulous - I love the shoulder detail, what a lovely touch.

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  4. Gorgeous! Lovely to see a knit top with some really unusual detailing. I love it.

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  5. The Bronte looks amazing! I especially love the version with the button details! This is really a great pattern. You made a simple boring knit to something special :)

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  6. LOVE it! Can't wait to make it. Congrats on your second pattern Jen! x

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  7. This is lovely...and a great range of size too! Hurrah!

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  8. Gorgeous! Can't wait to download it. I've just bought some fabric for an Afternoon Blouse as well, so its going to be a Jennifer Lauren sewing month :)

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  9. Ooooh she's so pretty!!!! I love the button details, or the contrasting neckband and detailing! I have some magenta knit fabric that I got for Christmas and is just sitting in my stash waiting for the right project. Bronte might just be that project....

    Congratulations on a second beautiful pattern!

    Cheers,
    Eileen

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  10. Oh my gosh, I love it!!! The second top that you made with the buttons sealed the deal for me! Definitely going on my wish list right now!

    Brigid
    the Middle Sister and Singer

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  11. Love it- great to have a version of a knit top a bit different to most that are out there. With the variations in sleeve, option to add contrast binding etc it looks like a really versatile pattern!

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  12. This is great! I need this top in my life! Well done designing a top that is classic, casual, yet stylish. :) you're beautiful btw :)

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    1. Awwww shucks, thanks so much Johanna!!! You're beautiful too :)

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  13. Love this detail Jen, very cute! I see a theme developing :)

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    1. If you're referring to buttons, I don't know what you're talking about (the skirt pattern is covered in them! They just won't leave me alone! I love buttons...).

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  14. It looks so fabulous on you! Love it!

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  15. Bronte is beautiful jen! Another one to add to my ever-growing list!

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  16. This is fantastic - there seem to be quite a few (similar) tee patterns out there, but this one really stands out ;o)

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  17. This is awesome!! I love the shoulder detailing! This is my kind of top😁

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  18. Such a great top! The shoulder detail is amazing!

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  19. congrats! It looks gorgeous - almost tempted to brave the print your own pattern process! :o) well done

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  20. As much as I love the look of tailored shirts and collars, what I wear most often with my skirts and pants is knit t-shirts. I've never actually made myself any, though. This pattern is PERFECT! I love the detailing and the neckline is a really nice height (not too low, but I also wouldn't feel like I was being strangled). The print you used for the short sleeve version is adorable and I love the buttons on the grey version. I'm going to have to buy a copy!

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  21. I love it! It’s got a nice twist with the shoulder detail. Well done!

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  22. Absolutely love it. Just bought it right in the middle of catching up on my blog feed, that's when you know it's good. I hope I have something suitable in my stash so I can make this up straight away.

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  23. I love it! It's like an elegant baby onesie... except the detailing looks fab and flattering, not, you know, babyish! The wide but high neckline is a winner! I'm off to buy it RIGHT NOW. Great, great work, Jennifer!

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  24. OMG, just started reading the instructions - comparing the suitable type of fabric to cotton undies is GENIUS! Universal and clear, and so simple!

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    1. YAY!!!! You have NO IDEA how happy this comment makes me! When I was writing them, I was trying to get across the feel of the fabric and realised that cotton undies were pretty much the ideal fabric. You can also use a heavier weight, which I have for a few of the long sleeve versions, but 'Undie Weight' (new term?) is is what the pattern was initially designed to be made up in :)

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  25. Love it! I'm really trying to sew with more knits, but I haven't found a knit top pattern so far that I really like... so this is perfect! I love the detail, and it's a really flattering neckline. (Oh, and thank you for making it in a size that fits me! I often have to size down indie patterns, so it's a real plus when I don't have to)

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  26. I NEED THE BLUE ONE WITH BUTTONS IN MY LIFE.

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    1. Shoulda Coulda Woulda! How's Fiji? Warmer than Dunedin I suppose... Ha!

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  27. Such a cute top! I can totally see myself making a few of these and having them as a wardrobe staple. Thank you!

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  28. Congratulations! Very cute.

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  29. This is really, really cute! Congrats, girl!

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  30. This is lovely, Jen. Well done on another very cute, very wearable design!

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  31. I love the shrug shoulder detail, she's so cute. It takes what could have been yet another basic knit top to another level. I can see her in a cropped length looking gorgeous with some high waisted trousers. I want!

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    1. Oooohhhhh, cropped! Totally awesome! If you make a cropped version I'd LOVE to see it :)

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  32. Gorgeous top! Congratulations! I am adding this to my list of things to make this autumn.

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  33. This is gorgeous. I love knit tops, I can definitely see me making several of these.

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  34. Ooh I like! Congrats, lady xx

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  35. I RAN over here as soon as this popped up on my pinterest feed. MMM made me realise I need more knit tops to casual up some of my more dressy skirts and this is the perfect neutral with a twist.

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  36. It's lovely Jen, congrats on designing another lovely, unique pattern!

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  37. Ooooo - I LOVE this top! Such a cute detail to have the shrug style shoulder. Well done on another beautiful pattern. I'm hoping to make my Afternoon Blouse this weekend, but think this top could be my project after that!

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  38. Ooh, I love it! I plan to make mostly dresses the rest of the year, but I'll be buying this soon all the same!

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  39. This is really cute! I love that how different it is from the majority of available knit top patterns (not knocking those AT ALL - I just don't need 3 copies of the same pattern ahaha :)). Really beautiful and flattering!

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  40. yum! As sweet as the first pattern - love that neckline! Off to buy it:)

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  41. I need this pattern, need. But I have no printer! Arrgh. Need to find somewhere to print.

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  42. I really love this, it reminds me of baby vests, but in a good way. :)

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    1. Hehe, omg it DOES! I hadn't even thought of that!! Cute baby vest's for women, here we come :)

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  43. Love this. Really suits your style and cute shoulder details, especially with the buttons. Will add it to my wish list :-)

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  44. Lovely top! One of my favorite tee shapes. I really wish it was available in truer plus sizes (50+ inch bust )

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    1. If there is a want for bigger sizes, I can definitely do them in the future!! It's something I'll definitely note down for future patterns :)

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    2. I'll add my vote! I had to size up the afternoon blouse pattern.

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  45. Oh, my poor husband's credit card! This looks like a lovely top and a nice change from the basic one I use from my Ottobre magazine.

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  46. I love the black and gold version - it looks os elegant. Well done on putting a new twist on a simple top.

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  47. Well, looks like I'll be buying another pattern today... I love it! I absolutely love long sleeve shirts in my climate, year round, and the neckline is just lovely. Thank you for the pattern!

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  48. It's really cute! I am really curious about that binding finish. Perfection but I never achieved anything like it

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  49. I love this! I can't wait to try making it up :)

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  50. Congratulations on the new pattern! It is really nice and just what I'm looking for right now: I need knit tops to wear with my skirts. I like the shoulder detail, in fact I have a vintage top in a similar style (with buttons) and I wanted to make another one. Would it be possible to see pictures of the Bronte top untucked with a skirt? I like to wear my tops untucked, but not all shapes are okay to wear like this with flared or full skirts.
    Also, how many pages to you have to print and attach together to make it? I don't like cutting and attaching printed pdfs very much... ^^;

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    1. Hey!! There are 24 pages to the pattern total, though I lay them out differently to other pdf patterns so that you only need to print out the version you are going to be making. They are also laid out in pattern piece sections, so again, super easy to put together.

      This is a fitted top, though I am wearing the fuchsia one with jeans untucked. I'll try and get a photo for you untucked with a skirt :) You can also adjust the length to suit you as well, so if you want a longer or shorter top for wearing untucked with skirts, it's easy to do!

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    2. I don't wear my tops tucked in as well, but this top is great for that. I also really like the way the pdf is assembled, also works great for storage!

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  51. Very, very good! I love this top a lot!

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  52. I'm 25 weeks pregnant and couldn't wait to make this! So I slashed and spread the Bronte top pattern and made it into a maternity top! I love it! Will make this again when the baby is born :)

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    1. Oh, I would LOVE to see it!! I actually have a little pattern hack planned for maternity wear (though I'm not actually pregnant!!).

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    2. If the light is ok tonight, I'll ask my husband to make a picture for you. I'm wearing it today :)

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  53. Simply perfect. where has this been all my life? :)

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  54. I love this. I used to have a navy Paul Frank top like this with snaps. Just the other day I was trying to figure out how to recreate it. So glad I stumbled on this!

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  55. I love this design, Jen, and am excited to get started sewing it. Unfortunately, I found that piecing the pattern together was more challenging that usual (I sew from pdfs often). If I might make one suggestion, it would be great to have the borders printed on all 4 sides of each page. That helps when it comes to lining things up accurately.

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    1. Hi Amy!

      Oooh, sorry it's not working for you! It sounds like it may have printed off centre, as there is definitely a border on all 4 sides of the pattern on each page you need to print out.

      Did you have to scale up? If so, this may have caused it to go off centre, so I'd recommend centring before you print off, after you've scaled :)

      I'll try to find an email for you just in case you don't come back here!

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  56. Thanks Jen! That's really strange. I'm not sure what happened, lol. My 4" test square came out all right. Well, at least I'll know what the issue is if my toile doesn't work out, lol :)

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  57. I adore this outline, Jen, and am eager to begin sewing it. Lamentably, I found that sorting the example out was all the more difficult that standard thing (I sew from pdfs regularly). On the off chance that I may make one recommendation, it is incredible to have the fringes imprinted on every one of the 4 sides of every page. That offers when it some assistance with coming to covering things up precisely.

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    1. Hi Anazeem - I'm so sorry but I don't quite understand your recommendation. There are borders on all four sides of every page tile to help you cut and line up your pattern pieces accurately - are they not showing up for you?

      There have been some instances in the past where the pattern has fallen off the page because of a pesky printer setting they didn't know was ticked. Try this: below the 'Actual Size' box may be a box called 'Choose paper source by PDF page size' that is ticked. Un-tick this box and try printing again.

      Hope that helps!

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  58. OH MY GOSH! I absolutely LOVE shirts like this (I have 3 old navy ones from forever ago) SO glad you made a pattern!

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  59. Hi Jennifer, I really like the bronte top! At first I thought the contrast binding was made of elastic bias binding that you buy ready to use. Now I found out you use fabric... can it be done with elastic bias binding? I already bought the bias binding.. thanks!

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    1. Hey Martine! I'm sure you could, you'd just need to work out your seam allowances and account for the small amount of extra width that the neckline pattern provides! Let me know how you get on :)

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