The Lincoln Top is the newest release by Love Notions and could possibly be the cutest shirt you sew all year. This pattern is a relaxed, boxy fit top with interesting side seams featuring workable (or not!) buttons. Two necklines are included- boatneck and scoop, both with a clean finish binding. Three sleeve options are also included- long, 3/4 and sleeveless for a more muscle sleeve or vest look.

I was in love with this pattern when I first caught a glimpse of it in the beginning stages of it’s creation.  I made it a goal of mine this year to get better at buttonholes. Since this pattern had button plackets as side seams, it was going to be the perfect project for that. I wasted no time making up two of these shirts as soon as I had a spare moment.

You don’t necessarily have to do actual working buttonholes if this many seem overwhelming. You could simply sew some buttons on for a faux button look. I went ahead and did the whole eight buttonholes and buttons for each shirt I made, even though they will most likely never get un-buttoned.  I just really wanted to do them. 

I love the button plackets as side seams. It’s such an interesting detail. I had never done buttons on knit fabric before so I was a bit nervous. I found that once I had fused the interfacing to the inside of the fabric that it was super easy. I just marked where to start my buttonholes and set my automatic buttonhole size. Then I did them like I would have on any woven fabric. It worked beautifully and was easier than I imagined.

I also love the clean finished look of a neck binding rather than a band. It looks so much nicer and professional. A twin needle works perfectly for that too. You can see above that I used a twin needle to top stitch my neck binding in place. This is the scoop neck options but the pattern includes a boat neck option as well.

I never sew a pattern just as suggested. I always have to tweek it just a smidge. One thing I did on my orange top was shorten the ¾ sleeves 5 inches. That way they would hit right at my elbow. 

It’s warm where I live so an elbow length sleeve was more to my liking. All I did to the pattern was measure from the bottom of the sleeve up 5 inches and fold the pattern. Then I cut the sleeve out. 

My gray shirt fabric was much lighter than my orange shirt so I did the ¾ length sleeve. I did, however, lengthen the front part of the bodice 1 inch. It’s still a little cropped, just not as much as the orange one. I think I like it a little better like this. 

I love both of these shirts so much! I think it would also be cute if the front part was a contrasting fabric. I think I may play around with this idea and see what I come up with. I’ll definitely be posting some more makes from this pattern to my instagram account so stay tuned.

Let me know if you try this pattern and do real or faux buttonholes. Either way would be cute. I’m actually thinking of just making the bottom two functioning on my next Lincoln top. 

Happy sewing my friends!

Koe

If you are interested in the Lincoln Top Pattern feel free to use code KOE10 for 10% off this pattern or any of Love Notions Patterns.

The pants I’m wearing above are the Sabrina Slims which is my favorite pants pattern and come with a digital fitting workbook to help you get the perfect fit.