Hadley Top Sew-Along

Master the Hadley Top through our comprehensive sewing guide! This simple yet elegant design is incredibly versatile. We'll guide you through creating this architectural top with its distinctive center seams, bust darts, and deep hem facings. Choose between View A's pleat back with long sleeves or View B's sleeveless V-neck design - both perfect for layering or wearing solo from day to evening.

Lesson 1

Ready-To-Wear Inspiration

Collage of five ready-to-wear tops showing sleeveless styles in polka dot, solid colors, and back details with center seams.

Start your Hadley Top journey with ready-to-wear inspiration! We explore styling possibilities from bold statement prints to elegant solids, plus seasonal layering ideas. The geometric front seam and architectural details make this top perfect for creating versatile looks from casual denim pairings to polished office wear.

Lesson 2

Selecting Your Fabrics

The key to choosing the perfect fabric for your Hadley Top is looking for fabrics with beautiful drape — the Hadley needs to flow with you, not stand away from your body. We explore rayon, silk noil, lightweight linen, and cotton options with real sample insights and care tips for each fabric type.

Hadley Top in cream linen on hanger surrounded by fabric swatches in navy, lilac, emerald, natural linen, and dusty rose.

Rayon and Rayon Blends

Rayon is an excellent choice for the Hadley because of its beautiful drape and fluid movement. Look for rayons with prints scaled specifically for garments rather than quilting as the larger scale works well with the Hadley's architectural seaming. Rayon holds its shape while still moving gracefully with your body.

Silk Noil

Raw silk offers the perfect combination of softness, fluid drape, and interesting texture. Much easier to work with than other silk weaves, it's ideal for texture mixing in your wardrobe. Care tip: Prewash on warm/cold cycle and dry on low heat, then you can wash the finished garment on cold and air dry without worry.

Lightweight Linen

Linen is a classic choice, but choose carefully - avoid tightly woven linens that will create a stiff tent effect. Look for handkerchief linen or loosely woven varieties that start crisp but wear in beautifully. Two-color weave linens add gorgeous depth to the finished garment.

Lightweight Cottons and Lawns

Cotton lawns and other lightweight cottons work wonderfully for the Hadley when they have the right drape. Look for fabrics that feel fluid rather than crisp, and consider how they move when you handle them in the store.

Lesson 3

Hadley Supply List

The first step to a successful project is making sure you have everything you need from start to finish right at hand. From pattern and fabric to interfacing and notions, this comprehensive list ensures you're ready before you start sewing. Being prepared makes the whole process more enjoyable.

Flat lay of sewing supplies including Hadley pattern, fabric swatches, thread, scissors, measuring tape, hooks and eyes, and ham.

1. Hadley Top Sewing Pattern

The first thing you'll need is the Hadley Top pattern. You can purchase the pattern in both of our size ranges here.

2. Main Fabric

I’m using an ivory rayon for View A and a monstera print cotton/rayon lawn for View B. If you’re on the fence about what to use for your top, check out our prior post about fabric choices. And don't worry, we have a different color background for the white Hadley photos, so you will be able to see it!

3. Fusible Interfacing

You’ll want either a woven or tricot fusible interfacing in approximately the same weight as the fabric you’re using. Avoid bonded interfacings as they lack the drape necessary to produce a professional looking garment you’ll want to wear.

4. All-Purpose Thread

I prefer to use standard poly thread for my garments. I like poly because I pre-treat my fabrics and I know that poly won’t shrink when laundered, keeping my seams nice and neat. Try to use high quality thread as it’s kinder to your machine.

Lesson 4

Choosing Your Size

Dress form showing bust, waist, and hip measurement locations alongside size chart with body and finished garment measurements.

Learn how to select the perfect size for your Hadley Top using three key measurements. We cover taking accurate bust, waist, and hip measurements, navigating the size chart, and handling falling between sizes. The bust measurement is most important for the Hadley due to the fitted shoulders and bust area.

Lesson 5

Common Pattern Adjustments

Need to customize your Hadley Top pattern? This post covers four key adjustment techniques: blending between sizes, lengthening or shortening, moving the dart position, and full bust adjustments. Learn the proper order for making multiple adjustments and get step-by-step guidance for each technique.

Three-step pattern lengthening diagram showing front bodice piece with lengthen/shorten line, slash and spread technique, and result.

Blending Between Sizes

When your measurements fall into different sizes, you can blend between them for a better fit. We show you how to gradually transition from your bust size to your hip size, focusing on these two key measurements since the A-line shape makes waist measurement less critical.

Lengthening and Shortening

Adjust the overall length of your Hadley using the lengthen/shorten lines marked on the pattern. This method maintains proper proportions while customizing the fit for your torso length and preferred styling.

Adjusting the Dart Height

Perfect for when your torso length is correct but the dart hits in the wrong spot on your body. Learn to easily relocate the dart up or down to align with your bust point for the most comfortable fit.

Small and Full Bust Adjustments

An essential technique for those who need adjustments beyond the drafted cup size. The 0-18 size range is drafted for B cup while the 14-32 size range is drafted for D cup. Learn to increase or decrease room through the bust area while maintaining the Hadley's elegant silhouette and proper fit through the shoulders and armholes.

Lesson 6

Cutting your Fabric

Pattern piece layout showing all numbered pieces needed for Hadley Top View A and View B with cutting and interfacing instructions

Ready to cut your Hadley Top? This straightforward cutting process has just a few pieces plus interfacing. We answer common questions about cutting pieces on the fold, mixing sleeves between views, and switching back pieces. Learn which modifications work and which ones need special considerations.

Lesson 7

Applying the Interfacing

Black interfaced pieces laid flat showing curved neckline and armhole facing shapes for Hadley Top construction

Learn which Hadley pieces need interfacing and why we skip the lower hem facings to preserve the garment's beautiful drape. We break down the interfacing requirements for both views with clear guidance on piece numbers and application techniques, plus links to detailed interfacing selection guides.

Lesson 8

Assembling the Front

Hadley front bodice in palm leaf print showing stitched center front seam and bust darts with staystitched neckline

Time to start sewing! Learn to assemble the front of your Hadley Top with proper staystitching, center front seam construction, and dart sewing techniques. The instructions work for both View A and View B, with optional topstitching to emphasize the geometric design lines.

Lesson 9

Assembling the Backs

Hadley back bodice in colorful geometric print showing completed center back seam and keyhole opening with secured pleat detail

Learn to assemble the backs for both Hadley views! View B follows the same process as the front, while View A requires special techniques for the keyhole opening and back pleat construction. We cover proper seam finishing, pressing, and securing the distinctive pleat detail.

Lesson 10

Shoulder and Side Seams

Two Hadley tops showing sewn shoulder and side seams - palm leaf print flat lay and geometric print on dress form from back

This is where your Thayer really starts to come together! Sew the shoulder seams, construct the sleeves, then set them flat into the armholes for the jacket's relaxed fit. Finish by sewing the continuous side seams from jacket hem through sleeve hem.

Lesson 11

View A Sleeves

Close-up of Hadley View A sleeve construction showing gathered sleeve cap with basting stitches and set sleeve in armhole.

It’s time to set the sleeves for View A. Learn to gather the sleeve cap for smooth easing, sew underarm seams, and insert sleeves with confidence. Then create clean sleeve facings with understitching for a polished finish at the wrist.

Lesson 12

View B Armhole Facings

Fused armhole facings laid flat and pinned to palm leaf print Hadley bodice showing circular facing construction and placement

Learn to finish the armholes for sleeveless View B. Construct circular armhole facings, attach them with proper grading and clipping techniques, and create clean understitching for a finish that rolls to the inside. Master this technique and you'll be ready for the neckline!

Lesson 13

View A Neckline Facing

Close-up of Hadley View A jewel neckline on dress form showing attached purple facing with keyhole opening at center back

Learn to construct and attach the neckline facing for View A's jewel neckline. This post covers assembling the facing pieces, proper alignment around the curved neckline, and finishing techniques including understitching and hand-stitching at the back opening for a clean, polished result.

Lesson 14

View B Neckline Facing

Hadley View B V-neckline flat lay showing fused facing pinned to palm leaf print bodice with clipped center front V-point

Ready to tackle View B's V-neckline? We cover facing construction, working with the center front v-point, and finishing techniques for a polished result. Learn specific grading and clipping methods plus understitching tips for this more involved neckline style.

Lesson 15

Talk about your brand

Close-up of Hadley hem showing deep curved facing in palm leaf print attached and understitched for clean finish.

Learn to construct and attach the deep hem facing that gives the Hadley its sophisticated finish. We cover assembling the circular facing, proper alignment and attachment, plus understitching and securing techniques for a polished hem that enhances the top's elegant drape.

Lesson 16

Finishing Your Hadley

Two finished Hadley tops on dress forms - View A with long sleeves and jewel neck, View B sleeveless with V-neck.

The final day! Complete your Hadley Top with finishing touches including a hook and eye closure for View A and the final tacking of all facings for both views. Double-check that everything is secure and ready to wear — your brand new Hadley is complete and ready to become a wardrobe staple.