You all know love a boxy top and I consider myself a connoisseur of boxy top patterns (see Seamwork Bo, Marilla Walker Maya, 100 Acts of Sewing Shirt No. 1, etc.). Trying the Torrens Box Top when it was released in my size felt pretty natural.
FYI: Muna and Broad provided me with a free copy of the Torrens Box Top, but all the opinions in this post are my own.
The Torrens Box Top, like the Glebe Pants, was recently re-released with an expanded size range that fits bust size 42-64" and hips 44-71". The pattern now comes with wide and narrow long sleeve options in addition to the cuffs I chose! It's got a high-ish neckline with a facing and a deep hem that's easily adjustable.
For my Torrens top, I raided my stash for a piece of cotton batik that I bought in Indonesia when I lived there. That means it's been marinating in the stash since at least 2013! Sew your stash, huh? So satisfying.
It's got some fun pastel colors on a black and brown background. The fabric substrate (like a poplin, I guess?) has some body to it, too, so it maintains the boxy structure of the Torrens.
It's got some fun pastel colors on a black and brown background. The fabric substrate (like a poplin, I guess?) has some body to it, too, so it maintains the boxy structure of the Torrens.
I cut the smallest size, bb, which corresponded to my bust measurement. My hip measurements fit me into the high end of bb or the low end of one size up, the aa. The instructions say to use your bust measurement to choose your size, so I did. The Torrens is designed to have at least 12 inches of design ease, so the finished measurements are quite roomy.
The construction of this top is pretty straightforward, with the exception of an interesting and somewhat unusual cuff construction that results in a perfectly 90 degree angle at the underarm. Muna and Broad have a helpful video if you need a bit more support with the method.
The only change I made from the instructions was to take a slightly deeper hem of 2.5" so it would hit right at my high hip.
I love it! It's really cute and I love the clever construction on the cuff. I'll definitely be giving the Torrens a go in a drapier fabric, and likely making a more seasonally appropriate long-sleeved version, too. Ha!
The only change I made from the instructions was to take a slightly deeper hem of 2.5" so it would hit right at my high hip.
I love it! It's really cute and I love the clever construction on the cuff. I'll definitely be giving the Torrens a go in a drapier fabric, and likely making a more seasonally appropriate long-sleeved version, too. Ha!
