My Fielder Top - made in Derwent Handloom Indian Ikat

I had to build myself up to cut into this one, our very own ikat fabric design of 2016! Our handloom Derwent Ikat has a lovely soft feel and I thought would really suit this Merchant and Mills sewing pattern The Fielder. I had thoughts of a dress shirt or tunic at first but then I wanted to make something I'm more likely to wear, a lot! As I started the process I had little pangs of guilt that I was not doing this fabric enough justice with a statement piece!

I live in jeans and tees and I've had my eye on the Fielder Top for ages, I could just picture it working perfectly. This casual style is right up my street, my favourite bit being the rib cuffing. I spent quite a while finding the right type of rib, I wanted something close to this 'washed black' fabric colour. Finally deciding on this cuffing, also from Merchant and Mills, hand dyed to match their linens and it's amazing quality. What I really love about M&M sewing patterns is their unique stylings that just make the garment so beautiful to wear with a gorgeous fit.

I also gave careful thought about how I wanted the ikat design to fall when cutting my pattern pieces, to really make use of the off-centre pattern repeat within the fabric. This is the style and theme that I was going for all along when I designed it, that 'non uniform' look!

I've worn this top a few times already over Christmas, so this is how it's been photographed, worn and not ironed, in all it's glory!