Sewing the Named Clothing Tiia Puff Sleeve Top

I've been eyeing the Named Clothing Tiia Puff Sleeve Top on Instagram for months, drawn to the romantic sleeve shape and the relaxed, modern silhouette. A fabric-buying trip to a Melbourne haberdashery finally gave me the perfect excuse to pair a drapey viscose with a new make, and the Tiia came off my wishlist at last.

Named Clothing is a Finnish indie label, and ordering from Australia involves a small wait and a customs form, but the pattern itself is straightforward enough for anyone comfortable sewing knits. I reached for it on a rainy Adelaide weekend, hoping the puff sleeves would brighten a grey Sunday.

The Tiia sits in a sweet spot between relaxed and polished, with that gathered sleeve adding just enough drama to a simple silhouette. It features a loose-fitting bodice, a crew or scooped neckline depending on the view, and those signature puffs that finish at the elbow or above.

The PDF layered format was easy to assemble, and the instructions come in clear English alongside the original Finnish. For sewists used to bundling up in August, this top promises a wardrobe refresher when the Hobart spring finally rolls around.

Sourcing the pattern from Finland

Ordering independent sewing patterns from overseas has become much easier for Australian makers in recent years. Named Clothing ships worldwide from Helsinki, and patterns generally arrive within ten working days when posted via Australia Post's standard international service. The total landed cost included a small customs declaration and the GST that domestic retailers already fold into their prices. A copy landed at my Brisbane post office with a polite card requiring a signature, which felt oddly ceremonial for a sheet of tissue paper.

Once trimmed, the PDF layers slotted together without fuss, and I appreciated the pattern's nested format that saved on printer ink. The booklet includes seam allowances of 1 cm, slightly narrower than the 1.5 cm many UK indie brands use, plus a yardage chart in both metric and imperial units. I cut a size 38 based on my bust measurement, graded out a touch at the hips, and the bodice sat exactly where the schematic suggested.

Choosing the right fabric for warm climates

A viscose-lyocell blend from my local Spotlight turned out to be the ideal partner for this make. The Tiia works beautifully in a drapey knit with good recovery, and the slinky handle gave the puff sleeves the soft gather I was after. Australian sewists are spoiled for choice when it comes to breathable fabrics, especially in the subtropical stretches where summer humidity can stretch well into March. Heavy jerseys would swamp the silhouette, while a lightweight ponte would lose that liquid movement.

I pre-washed my fabric on a cold cycle to account for the slight shrinkage viscose is known for, then tumble-dried it briefly on low before laying it flat. This also lets you check for any unexpected dye bleed, which I've learned the hard way can happen with discount rolls at the remnant table. A ballpoint needle is essential, and I used a walking foot for the neckband and hem to keep the fabric feeding evenly. The pattern calls for fabric with at least 30 percent stretch, and my chosen viscose hit that mark precisely.

Sizing, measuring and pattern adjustments

The Tiia's size range runs from 32 to 46, and the finished garment measurements reflect a relaxed fit. I took my usual approach of measuring a similar ready-to-wear top in my wardrobe and comparing it to the schematic, which gave me confidence to choose between sizes. After cutting, I basted the side seams first to check the fit before overlocking. For sewists with a longer torso, lengthening the bodice by 2 to 3 cm is a worthwhile adjustment.

The puff sleeve pattern piece is essentially a slim rectangle with a curved cap, and gathering happens between two notches. I did not need to resize the sleeve itself, but I trimmed the neckband by about 1 cm on the centre back to avoid a slight gape across the collarbone. Many Australian sewists will recognise these as standard tweaks for knit tops, and the Tiia's drafted shapes made them easy to execute.

Construction notes and modifications

The construction is refreshingly simple: shoulder seams, set-in sleeves, side seams, neckband, and hem. The puff sleeve is created by gathering a curved cap to a smaller armscye, which can feel fiddly the first time you attempt it. I found that pinning the gather at the quarter points and easing the cap onto the armscye with the sewing machine set to a slightly longer stitch length produced an even, puffy result. My overlocker handled the side seams in one pass, though a zigzag on a regular machine would work just as well.

I lengthened the bodice by 3 cm to suit my longer torso, a common adjustment for sewists who find European blocks drafted for slightly shorter frames. The neckband sat a touch wide on my shoulders, so I trimmed 1 cm off the centre back before sewing. The hem is a single-fold 2 cm turn, which I topstitched with a twin needle for a polished ready-to-wear finish. The whole top came together in a single afternoon, with most of the time spent getting those sleeve gathers right.

Styling the finished top in everyday outfits

The Tiia is wonderfully versatile, and I've already worn it three ways since finishing it. Tucked into high-waisted trousers with tan loafers, it feels sharp enough for a coffee meeting in Carlton or a Saturday brunch along Sydney's Bourke Street. Untucked with wide-leg jeans, it leans into the relaxed Scandi mood that Named Clothing does so well. Layered under a cropped denim jacket during an Adelaide Hills autumn, it bridges the seasons without bulk.

The puff sleeves add visual interest to what would otherwise be a basic, and they pair beautifully with statement earrings. A silk hair scarf or a simple gold chain keeps the focus on the neckline. I've found the silhouette works equally well with a fitted pencil skirt for work or with linen shorts for a weekend at the markets. This is the kind of make that earns its place in a smaller, well-curated wardrobe rather than living at the back of a drawer.

Caring for viscose knit in the Aussie climate

Viscose knits deserve a little extra thought when it comes to washing, particularly in regions where hard water is the norm. I wash my makes inside out on a cold, gentle cycle with a mild detergent, then lay them flat to dry away from direct sunlight. The Australian sun is strong enough to fade darker colours in a single afternoon on the line, so I hang mine in shaded courtyards or over the laundry tub. A quick steam with the iron refreshes the drape without crushing the puff of the sleeves.

Folding rather than hanging knit tops also prevents those little shoulder bumps that develop over time, especially with looser-weave fabrics. If the neckband loses its snap after multiple wears, a gentle press with a damp cloth restores the shape. The Tiia has washed beautifully after three wears so far, with no visible pilling or shrinkage, which speaks to the quality of both the fabric and the pattern's drafting.

Final verdict and tweaks to try next

For sewists looking to add a romantic, wear-everywhere knit top to their rotation, the Named Clothing Tiia Puff Sleeve Top is a genuinely lovely choice. The instructions are clear, the fit is forgiving, and the finished garment feels both current and timeless. If you're after a similar silhouette in a sleeker fabric, try a lightweight modal or a slubby cotton jersey for slightly more texture. For a winter version, a heavier ponte or a double-knit could work, though you'd lose some of that lovely movement.

I have plans to lengthen mine into a tunic view with side splits, as well as to make a short-sleeve version by trimming the puff at the bicep line. You can read more indie pattern thoughts and UK sewing notes over at It is Josie when planning your next make. This is one of those patterns I will happily return to, and I suspect it will become a quiet favourite in my handmade wardrobe.

Practical pointers for sewing the Tiia in a warm climate:

• Pre-wash viscose on cold twice to soften the hand and confirm shrinkage is minimal
• Use a walking foot for the neckband and hem if your machine fusses with drapey knits
• Adjust sleeve gather tension with a slightly longer stitch length for finer fabrics
• Press the puff seam allowance toward the bodice so the gathers sit flat after washing
• Cut a full sleeve rather than the elbow-length view if you prefer a softer, draped puff