One of my favorite things about sewing is seeing something you can’t otherwise afford and thinking, “I can make that.”

Back in 2012 or so, there was a clothing line that launched called Emerson Made, just expensive enough that I couldn’t justify ever buying it. In their first few collections, they offered a topper made out of linen and I loved the shape:

(I can’t link any images because the company is Emerson Fry now and even more expensive and the topper is long gone–these are from my inspiration file.)

I’ve wanted to copy it for years and knew Simplicity 3966 would be an almost perfect match, but I ended up using that pattern a couple other times for coats and put the topper on hold. I’m glad I finally made it happen this year because I love it as much as I thought I would. In fact, I love it so much it makes me smirk:

 

This wasn’t complicated to make, especially my third time around, but I block fused my fashion fabric to give it a little more body and threw in some details like a fully bagged contrast lining, bar tacks on the pockets, and corded buttonholes. Because if I’d already waited this long, I might as well take some time to make it really nice.

Project details:
Pattern, Built By Wendy for Simplicity 3966 (out of print)
Fabric from Stonemountain and Daughter, from my California trip in 2014, plus navy bemberg lining
Time from inspiration to completion, about five years
Actual sewing time, about two weekends