Surplice tops

The front pieces can be stitched to the back at the side seams either w/o gathering, keeping both front pieces even at the hemline or w gathering/ruching which depending on what you choose to do could still appear level at the hemline or with a slightly scalloped appearance at center front.

What I learned with the one I made for Puyallup --

I chose to sew the side seams w/o gathering and had a slightly curved front neckline. That neckline worked with the bias and tended to make the fronts "droop" a bit at the center. This is not necessarily a bad thing ... just something to watch for and accommodate with some other decisions.

My bottom layer wanted to peek out at the bottom and so I solved it by taking an invisible tuck in that piece -- wouldn't be seen from the outside and solved my issue.

The next time (and there will be) I think I will try a vee neckline (lowered, though, from default) and will do a bit of gathering in the side seams to see if I like it better that way.

BIG TIP: hem the front pieces BEFORE you sew the side seams. Once those pieces are sewn at the sides it makes it difficult to turn up a hem because now you have two layers instead of one front like a typical top.