The shirt so nice I made it thrice (just kidding and also sorry 😆).
A month or so ago, I was digging through my stash and found this chestnut fabric that had been completely and entirely forgotten. Right before I found out I was pregnant with my third, I made a big purchase from StyleMaker Fabrics. But my size started changing almost immediately and so all the lovely fabric I bought had to be shelved because the yardage no longer accommodated my bigger size. That was a sad day but it was a happy day to rediscover this! I had intended for it to become a Cielo top from Closet Core Patterns and it felt right to let it complete its original destiny (that and I don’t think I have many other ways to use up 1 yard of rayon).
I have made the Cielo top twice before, both times nearly three years ago. The first one I made had to be thrifted because the neckline was a bit bigger than I was comfortable with. The second one I made, though, has stayed in my closet. It’s not an every day piece as far as my life goes, but I do love it and wear it occasionally).
I think one of my favorite things about the Cielo top is how easy it is, and I mean that in a fashion sense and not (necessarily) about the sewing process. It’s relaxed and loose fitting and can have a very chill vibe, in my opinion. Of course, I think it can also look very polished, especially if you choose to use the statement sleeves (which I didn’t use in any of these iterations!).
The fabric I used here is an Atelier Brunette (Granito Rayon in Chestnut to be exact). It was my first time using Atelier Brunette and can I be perfectly honest here? I wasn’t that impressed with it. It’s an okay piece of rayon but I believe I have used better rayon at lower price points. The weave seemed to be a bit loose (though I think the individual fibers are slightly thicker). Their prints are adorable, though, and the brand seems to be treasured in the sewing community so feel free to take my very limited opinion with a grain of salt.
As I worked on the brown Cielo, I had a vague memory of buying another length of fabric in that same haul that was also intended to be a Cielo. I did a little more digging through my stash and found this cream floral fabric (a rayon poplin). Another Cielo it was!
As far as sewing goes, the Cielo top is fairly simple. The most difficult thing for me is the binding on the neckline. The pattern comes with two options: a bias neckline or a facing neckline. I prefer the look of the bias neckline and so that’s what I did with all three versions here. There is a pattern piece to make your own bias tape but I have in my stash some Atelier Brunette rayon bias tape (again, from that same order!) that I have never once regretted buying. Since it’s rayon, it’s more lightweight than your regular cotton bias tapes and it’s not too pricey either. I bought 4 yards total. I don’t use it all the time but I haven’t had to restock yet!
I finally figured out how to make the neckline work for me! The instructions call for you to trim the neckline and THEN start sewing on the bias tape. I don’t trim! That’s it! And then the neckline is perfect for me! Ha! Rarely is my fitting so simple! But I’ll take it! For the floral and brown versions I didn’t adjust the length at all, though the hem is a double rolled 1/4 inch, so pretty small. And for the purple version I lengthened 2 inches and made a deeper, 1 inch hem. I think I prefer the length of the purple one but they all work. The only other change I made (to each version) is to bring the bust dart in 1 inch.
The final version I made was this lovely purple one and I think it’s my favorite! There, I said it! The fabric is from Melanated Fabrics and it’s a viscose linen baby noil. It’s beautiful. It’s lightweight and has a slub like texture. I will have to buy some more of it because it would work for so many different things! And as a Cielo top, I don’t think it can get any more perfect than that!
Making three versions of the same pattern might seem like a lot but I’ll be honest: I feel like I have space for at least three more. It’s such a simple top that using different prints/colors really sets each one apart. Not to mention the pattern comes with another sleeve option and can also be a dress. I’d like to someday make the dress view but probably sooner on the list will be to make a white top version (maybe two: one with the statement sleeves and one with the regular sleeves). I have just never been drawn to white fabrics, but I’m going to have to change my ways because I think I would wear a white version a lot.
Anyway, I’m really happy how these turned out. I’m also happy that I kept going after the brown one. I honestly am not sure I’ll end up wearing that one much, brown just isn’t a color I reach for often. But I’ll hold onto it and give it a chance at least. It’s a relatively simple and quick sew–especially after I had done it a time or two. And in the end I got a few classic and easy to wear tops that only took about a yard of fabric each. Not too bad!
Pattern: Closet Core Cielo Top
Size: 10
Alterations: didn’t trim neckline; took in bust dart 1 inch; and added 2 inches of length just to the purple version
Fabrics/cost: Atelier Brunette Granito Rayon (StyleMaker) $22; Cream Floral Rayon Poplin (StyleMaker) $17; Baby Noil* (Melanated Fabrics) $18; Aterlier Brunette rayon bias tape (StyleMaker) $2/yd
Would I make this again?: Of course!
*I bought this in store so I’m not sure what color it is. Mine definitely seems more dusty than the “purple” they have on their site but it could very well also be a sold out or seasonal color
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