The Maya Top
True story. Earlier this year we replaced the old cover of our Robbie Pants pattern with this photo below and since then, we’ve been fielding weekly queries asking us if the pattern is ours and/or where can I find it?
And so, with that volume of replies and a third version now under my belt, I thought it was high time to write down all the details in a blog post and give due homage to this most excellent pattern.
This is Marilla Walker’s Maya Top pattern with a few super simple modifications. I can’t take credit for this hack – there are loads of beautiful versions out there and unquestionably inspired by Elizabeth Suzann‘s beautiful Georgia Tee.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I don’t often make up a pattern multiple times. And if I do, it’s because…
A) it’s a relatively quick sew
B) it’s an easy, wardrobe go-to
C) it’s comfortable
D) all of the above
This top? Most definitely a hard D.
So here are my changes. The pattern has a neckline facing which I subbed for a double fold bias binding, as outlined in this tutorial. I made the body a little bit wider by extending both the centre back and front foldlines by half an inch, giving me an extra inch on both sides. I cut a size 2 and extended the sleeve out to size 6 length. The cuff pattern dimensions are 17cm x 36cm (the latter measurement is the sleeve circumference, plus seam allowance). All you need to do is sew the narrow ends together (with right sides together), fold in half and overlock/sew to the sleeve circumference. And that, lovely readers, is it!
My grey version was made up in a long stashed linen and the Spiced Stripe is unfortunately now sold out. My black tunic length version is made up in our Black Lave Linen.
The Maya Top is such a great, basic pattern and totally lends itself to a whole heap of simple hacks to make it your very own. Check out the hashtag on Instagram and you’ll see what I mean. Three Mayas down and I’m pretty sure I’m not done yet…
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Thank you for featuring the Maya top Lisa – it spurred me to go over the Marilla’s site and she has this one among some others now available in print format (always my preference!) so I ordered the Maya and the Roberts Collection which is incredible value. Marilla runs out of her print copies so fast, I’d advise anyone who is interested in this pattern in print better get over there pretty quick!
I LOVE the Maya tunic . Where can I get the pattern? Or is it a pattern for give-away?
You can download the top pattern from Marilla Walker’s website – https://www.marillawalkerpatterns.com/products/pdf-maya-dress-and-top-sewing-pattern. I just extended the length to create the tunic
Hi Lisa! I was wondering, when you extend the sleeve, do you lengthen on the diagonal (to create a wider sleeve opening) or simply lengthen to elongate the sleeve? I have a bunching in the underarms, and am not sure if I did that step right. Thank you! I am excited for my finished Maya top :)!
Hi Jen. I just lengthened to elongate x
Lisa, I can’t work out how you ordered the pattern according to the web address you gave. I have tried Marilla’s website and I can’t get anything but a blank screen. When I tried other ways, all I got was SOLD OUT for the paper pattern and no luck anywhere else! Any helpl would be appreciated. Kate
Hi Kate – not sure why you can’t see it at your end. This is the blog link (to PDF) that i used. Hope it works via this link…
https://www.marillawalkerpatterns.com/products/pdf-maya-dress-and-top-sewing-pattern
THANK YOU! I have drooled over this top since seeing it on your site this past summer. I kept hoping it was a planned new release and revisited you site often in search of it. Now I will order the Maya pattern and use your alterations to finally have this top. Love your patterns and always enjoy making and wearing clothes from them!
Is there a difference between the Maya top and the Coni dress cut down to a tunic? The sleeves and neck look very similar.
Hi Liz. There are no cuffs on the Maya Tunic so you will need to draft these. The Coni Dress neckline is slightly wider and it’s also wider in the body.
Well, after making and loving two Tessuti dresses, I saw the Maya top, bought it and sewed it in a midweight linen front Blackbird Fabrics. The back flares out like bell!! Any suggestions besides repeated washings?
Hi! Great tut!! I am wondering when doing the bias neck binding as opposed to the facing, did you trim off any of the seam allowance, since the facing uses 5/8 and the binding 1/4. Thank you!!
Thanks Alyson. From memory, there was no trimming.
Hi Lisa. When making the black Maya tunic (love it!), did you simply lengthen the pattern you used for the grey top – i.e. Maya top pattern “A”? Or did you use pattern “C” instead? Thanks. Can’t wait to get sewing!
Hi Karen! I just used view A.
Waht shoes do you have on in the black version? 😀 Also, love this version with the pants — schmick.
Thanks Cherie. The shoes are from Hobes
Well I finished the Maya with mods and the sleeves scoop out and look weird. Is there a way to fix this before I hack it up for something else?
I tried making the sleeves longer, but they still bell out.
Suggestions anyone?
Hard to say but the sleeve bands may have stretched out on the bias Helen. Do you have enough to re-cut two?
Do you think this pattern would work in a knit or french terry ?
Possibly Jen. Worth a muslin I’d say, and probably would work better in a firmer knit
Hi
I’m trying to obtain a Maya Top print sewing pattern.
Is the pattern still available?
Hi Kate – blog post now updated with the current pattern link
Hi, would love to try this pattern but i cannot get it on the link
Hi Claudine. I just read recently that this pattern has been discontinued. For something similar, try our Coni Tunic and crop to a top.