Did anyone else read the Madeline books growing up? I used to love the idea of going to a boarding school and wearing a cute little uniform with a cute little yellow hat and having sleepovers every night with all my friends. (Clearly I had a very clear and not at all superficial concept of what boarding school was like.) In fact, thinking back now, I think reading Madeline may have paved the way for my obsession with A Little Princess.

I saw this top on Modcloth and immediately knew that 1) I had to make it, and 2) I would feel like Madeline every time I wore it.

My first idea was to use the Laurel top pattern with a thicker knit and to add a zipper on the back. That was a terrible idea. Like, awful.

I ended up using a regular knit fabric and just tracing one of my t-shirts that fits well and that worked out much better. The collar was drafted based on Gertie’s tutorial, and I just made a tiny little bow using this tutorial.

I don’t think I’ve shared this skirt yet! I made it the same way as this skirt, which I have completely forgotten to post a tutorial for. Whoops.

Anyway, the moral of the story is that I’m pretty sure this top includes every single garment detail I’m in love with: navy, mustard, a bow, and a huge contrasting Peter Pan collar.