Have you ever put on an outfit and just… felt it?
Like everything clicked. The fit was right. The fabric moved the way it was supposed to. You walked out the door feeling like yourself — not like you squeezed into something that was never made with you in mind.
That’s what we’re going for this summer. And the Iman Top is going to help us get there.
The Iman is one of those beginner-friendly patterns that delivers a seriously polished result without requiring you to be an advanced sewist. The split neckline, bell sleeves, dual chest pockets, and drawstring hem come together beautifully — and because the construction is straightforward, it’s a great confidence-builder if you’re still growing your skills.
Here are three easy summer looks to sew using the Iman Top this season.
Light fabric, relaxed fit, drawstring cinched just enough. Pair the Iman Top with wide-leg trousers or a flowy maxi skirt and you have the definition of effortless summer dressing. This is the look that says “I put thought into this” — without having to explain it.
The Iman’s drawstring hem is one of its most underrated features. It gives you a soft, defined waistline without any boning, shaping panels, or complicated fitting adjustments. For curvy women especially, that kind of ease-with-shape is everything.
Best fabrics for this look: Linen, cotton gauze, chambray
Styling tip: Keep the top loose and drape it over high-waisted trousers for that easy, elevated feel. Add slides and a pair of hoops and you are genuinely done.
Let your fabric do the talking.
A vibrant print in the Iman Top — those bell sleeves catching the breeze, the split neckline sitting just right — paired with a solid bottom is a complete look. No accessories required (though we know you’ll add them anyway).
This is one of the reasons the Iman is such a great beginner-friendly pattern: the style is already built in. You don’t need to fuss over details or add embellishments to make it look intentional. Choose the right fabric and the garment does the work for you.
And if you’re looking for the perfect print to start with — I actually designed one. The Brush Strokes print in yellow and grey is available exclusively on Spoonflower, and it is exactly the kind of fabric that makes this look sing. Bold enough to be a statement, grounded enough to pair easily with a solid. It’s one of my favorites.
Shop the Brush Strokes Yellow & Grey Print on Spoonflower →
Best fabrics for this look: Ankara, cotton lawn, or a lightweight rayon print
Styling tip: Pull one color from your print and match your bottom to it. That’s the whole formula. Solid pants or a skirt in that coordinating shade ties the outfit together without competing with your print.
This is the summer sewing project I want everyone to try — and it might be the smartest easy summer look to sew on this entire list.
Here’s the idea: sew both the Iman Top and the Inaya Wide Leg Pant in the same fabric. What you get is a coordinated matching set that reads like a custom jumpsuit — without any of the fit compromises that come with an actual jumpsuit. No crotch-length drama. No bathroom struggles. Just a head-to-toe look that looks completely intentional and incredibly polished.
The Iman’s drawstring hem hangs over the Inaya’s elastic waistband, and because the Inaya has that wide, relaxed leg, the whole silhouette flows beautifully. It’s comfortable. It’s modest. It’s stunning. And it’s more approachable than it looks — both are beginner-friendly patterns, so sewing them together is a completely manageable project.
Best fabrics for this look: Medium-weight crepe, linen blend, or textured cotton in a solid or tone-on-tone pattern. Sage, terracotta, and deep navy are all beautiful options — but if you want to go bold, go bold.
Pro tip: Cut all your pieces at the same time so your fabric grain and any print direction stay consistent across both garments. If you’re new to matching sets, cutting together is the step that makes the biggest difference.
Sewing order tip: Sew the Inaya pants first, then finish the Iman Top. That way you can check exactly how the drawstring hem sits at the waistband before you do your final finishing on the top.
One of the things that makes the Iman a standout beginner-friendly pattern is how much styling range it has. The same construction — same sleeves, same neckline, same hem — reads completely differently depending on your fabric choice and what you pair it with.
Crisp white linen gives you something polished and minimal. A bold Ankara print gives you something festive and expressive. The same fabric head-to-toe gives you something that looks custom and considered. That kind of versatility is rare, and it’s exactly what you want from a pattern you’re going to reach for all season.
Both patterns are available now in the Cover Me Chic shop. If you’re a CMC Collective member, you already have access — head to your pattern library and get started.
Shop the Iman Top Pattern →
Shop the Inaya Wide Leg Pant Pattern →
Not a member yet? The CMC Collective is the sewing membership built specifically for curvy, modest women — with patterns designed for your body from the very first draft. Not retrofitted. Not adjusted. Made for you. Membership includes access to the full pattern library, live sew-together sessions, fit support, and a warm community of women who are here to create, encourage, and cheer you on.
Whichever look you go with this summer, I want to see it. Tag us or share your photos in the community — you already know we’re going to celebrate every single stitch.
Zahiyya
Cover Me Chic
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