PATTERN REVIEW: FS Hana Wrap Top in Midweight Linen
HANA Wrap Top made with FS SPHINX Midweight Linen
The HANA top was love at first sight when I first saw it. I quickly envision myself enjoying a long sunny walk in Paris, alongside the Seine and of course wearing this pretty top. Plus I don’t have a lot of blouses in my wardrobe and I definitely want to sew more blouses for 2022!
The HANA collection features both dress and top versions but also a skirt pattern. Top and dress have a very feminine V neckline complemented by a crisp shirt collar. The waist is certainly the prettier detail with its playful exposed drawstring, tucks and pleats as well as belt loops. The collection include a beautiful dolman sleeve, with two length options, and are finished with a neat sleeve cuff. What I also love about the HANA top is the peplum design which I have never tried before.
HANA Wrap Top made with FS SPHINX Midweight Linen
I decided to sew the HANA wrap top version out of FS SPHINX Midweight Linen and I’m so glad I chose this color! I don’t wear blue often but this one made me want to add blue in my wardrobe.
My body measurements put me on a size 20 but I decided to make a straight size 18: as always I checked the finish garment measurements before and the bust, as well as the hip, had a lot of ease (about 24 cm/9 inch). My intention was to make this top more fitted so that’s why I chose to downsize. I’m pretty happy I did because I often wear oversized garments so this top was a new challenge to me. I still had to make some adjustments while sewing to the wrap opening so that the neckline stays straight – and my bust safe – and I might add few cm at the waist for my next make to feel more comfortable but nothing serious. Also, a collar-less version would be very pretty and I think that’s what I’ll do next time!
HANA Wrap Top made with FS SPHINX Midweight Linen
Construction-wise, the HANA collection can be a little bit scary when looking at instructions and cutting layouts for the first time! I definitely would not recommend this pattern for a beginner, it tends to be more an intermediate skill level project. The cutting step was not my favorite – there are 20 pattern pieces to cut! – and I also omitted to interface the lower collar, inner collar stand and inner waistband. Because you know, interfacing is also my least favorite part – with cutting – of the sewing process! But just to reassure you I did interface all those three outer pieces and it honestly looks good just as well.
As always with Fabrics-Store sewing instruction booklets, sewing directions are crystal clear and even if it looks complicated, everything goes well. For instance, the waistband construction is clearly the most difficult and long step but I slowly followed instructions and it came out beautifully.
A little trick I’m happy to share: pressing drawstrings can also be time-consuming – and very boring – but I found out that my 18mm bias tape maker was the perfect time-saver tool to press the long edges! 
I’m very happy how my HANA top turned out. It is pretty much versatile as I would definitely wear it for a dressed up event but also in everyday life. I wanted to picture a more casual outfit for this review and I thought it would nicely match with my light grey Noice Jeans from Muna & Broad. I couldn’t capture the sunny walk I had envisioned – it’s winter in Paris and I was freezing while taking the pictures – but I really like this outfit, simple yet very effective and will gladly wear it on-repeat!
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About Author
Pauline Sarwan
I’m a multi-cultural French girl born, raised and still living in Paris. In the daytime I’m a leatherworker in a luxury brand but right after work I become a passionate home sewist. I studied fashion and learn to sew a long time ago but only started to sew for myself last year and it’s liberating! You can follow all my sewing adventures on instagram at @the.casual.sewingLeave a comment
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6 Comments
Linda Kriss
Great job! I love the color you chose too. I would have never guessed you skipped some of the interfacings steps. I don’t blame you.
Pauline Sarwan
Thanks Linda! Interfacing wise I think it depends a lot on the fabric you’re using so with this midweight linen it’s unnecessary to interface both layers!
Kate Renwick
Love it and it really suits you. Re the drawstring. Could you use elastic and just use fabric on the ends that show??
Pauline Sarwan
Thanks so much Kate! That is a really good idea, I might think about it for my next Hana!
Corinne Skulmoski
Hi Pauline – nice job & a very pretty color on you. I agree, I did not interface the waistband on this top either & still found it a bit too thick & stiff, there’s a lot of pieces in that narrow space! I could likely have gone down a size too, it’s a bit blousy. This really is a pretty pattern. I lengthened the top about 6″ also & made an A-line, ankle length wrap skirt to go with it in the same color. Really dig this ensemble & might have to start wearing it around the house for fun as SO cold here in Canada & the never ending lockdowns! Well done!
Pauline Sarwan
Hi Corinne! Thanks for your comment. I agree, this is a pretty pattern, I didn’t expected that much pieces to cut, but it’s worth it! Your hana set must be awesome to wear, and I hope spring will come soon so that you can actually wear it outside!