Simplicity 2642: Flutter sleeve top

Pattern Description: Dresses. I made view B loose dolman sleeve bodice.

Pattern Sizing: 14-22, I made 14

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Sort of, but I made changes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes. And it was a very easy pattern to sew.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the dolman sleeve and the fact that the empire waist sits lower than many patterns, low enough that I didn't have to do a lower bust adjustment. I did not like the gathered skirt, fearful of a maternity look, so I changed that.

Fabric Used: Poly knit

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

1. I lengthened the sleeve 2 inches than shaped them to be fluttery instead of boxy. I like where the sleeve hits my arm right above the elbow.

2. I shortened the dress to be a 27 inch tunic, a good length, I think (but I'm not sure about tunics yet???).

3. I eliminated the pockets on the skirt. Who wants pockets making more bumps on the front tummy?

4. For the skirt, the pattern uses 3 identical pattern pieces (called front/back) all sewn together and gathered to become the skirt. You then make a casing at the waist and insert elastic. I skipped the elastic and used just 2 pieces (one for front and one for back), widened a little and no gathers. I wanted a straight skirt, so it wouldn't have a maternity feel, which I think turned out looking NON-maternity. (I'm just now venturing into the world of tunic length, not sure how to wear them, and found this length and style to be a good start for me.)

Side View shows it does NOT look maternity.



5. I added a narrow tie in the back, replicating a look I'd seen in RTW. I like how this cinches the waist without having to sew a tight waist.

Back view shows tie in back.



6. The pattern recommends wovens, so their way to do the neckline makes sense. But I used a drapy knit so did it differently. The pattern has you use bias tape, stitched in a 3/8 inch seam, then top stitched. Instead, I extended each front piece 1 1/2 inch for a self facing. I serged the edge and just turned it under that 1 1/2 inches. It stays nicely turned under resulting in a softer drapy-er edge with the knit than the harshness of topstitching.

Style advice??? I'm new to tunics, so a bit insecure. I used to think they only looked good on Size Zero models with stick legs. What do you all think? What length should they be? Width? And does this look NON-maternity?

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I like the dolman sleeve and the waistline. And yes, I'd recommend it. (And in soft enough fabrics, the gathers would also work, as other's reviews have shown). I also like the reviews I've seen of the other view (halter top) that I'd like to try.

Conclusions: It's a very flattering, comfortably loose, and super easy pattern I'd highly recommend.

Butterick 3662: Blue Coolmax Wrap top

Another Wrap Top...

Review for patternreview.com

Pattern Description: Cross front top with pencil skirt. Recommended for stretch velvet, panne velvet, matte jersey. I made the top with a slinky cool max knit which wasn't the best choice.



Pattern Sizing: I made the 14 per my full bust measurement, then took in the front and back bodice at shoulder and armhole edge by 3/8 inch.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the cross over top and if I'd used the recommended fabrics, would probably have been delighted. With my stretchy knit, I disliked:

1. The pattern used a front facing with interfacing and understitching ... not a good method for slinky knits.

2. No need for a zipper.

3. The darts, which would be nice with a sturdy fabric look bad with my knit.



The back view which I am NOT proud of. I don't know what's wrong. Too tight? I might try to remove the darts but fear there will be noticeable holes.



Fabric Used: Coolmax knit. Feels wonderful. It's the fabric used for running and aerobic clothes. I happened upon 2 1/2 yards of it a thrift store.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
1. No zipper.
2. I used a band on the long fronts instead of the facing, a technique I used on this other top: Simplicity 4095 which I LOVE everything about: the detail gathers, the long band front and how it doesn't gape at all, the fit and the drape. If it weren't for the pattern stash contest, I probably would have cut that same pattern again, (and wish I had... in the end, it looks so much nicer than this finished item)

but again.... I can't blame the pattern. My knit is too slinky.

Another thing I liked about Simplicity 4095. It hems the two front pieces separately, leaving the forward front draping over the back front, which looks nicer and hangs nicer than this pattern, which has you hem the two fronts together. With a sturdy fabric, that would work, but with a droopy, drapey fabric, the forward front wanted to droop more than the back front and made an unsightly fold just above the hem. I cut off the first attempt at hemming, tightened up the forward front and re-hemmed.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I don't think so. And if you have it in your stash, go for it, but with a sturdy fabric.

McCalls 8777: Green long sleeve Tee v-neck

Another knit top: this one is nice and long, a v-neck...




Review for PatternReview.com

Pattern Sizing: For some reason, I ended up with a small pattern (8-10)... must have gotten it at a thrift store??? I added to the side seams to make it a 14. I shouldn't do this. I don't think I ended up drafting the armhole correctly by winging it. Nipping and tucking fixed it, sort of, but I'd be better off starting with the correct size.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, except once more, this is a t-shirt pattern that used a FACING at the neck edge. Why they do that is beyond me.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I disliked:
1. the facing, so for the v-neck I made used a narrow self-fabric neck band with a method from a Stretch and Sew book.
2. the looseness ... I narrowed it to be more form fitting.

Fabric Used: Cotton knit with 5% lycra.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
1. Neck binding
2. Narrowed and lengthened a tad. I wanted it to be closer to a tunic-feel.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? No and no. It's OOP, so it shouldn't be much of an issue.

Would appreciate advice with fit where front bodice meets armhole. Most t-shirts do this pucker-thing on me, even RTW. I'm wondering if I should put in a dart up there to resolve it or would that look hokey?

View showing "pleat-like puckers" where bodice meets sleeve.


The above photo also shows the bodice "pleat" and it shows what I'll call a swayback horizontal pucker on the back. I'm discovering this in EVERY garment I make. I'm not sure how to resolve it in a t-shirt that has no horizontal seam ???? I suppose I could make a horizonal seam just in the back as a "design element"??? If anyone has any ideas, I'd appreciate it.

Back View



Another view


And the necklace.... I saw this necklace at a yard sale and asked how much? The seller said $2 for all of them. I said I only need one. He said "I don't want to break up the set". So I have 12 of them.... and here I just put 2 together, but I plan to break it apart and make a longer string, probably double...




And even Daisy gets a necklace. (Todd saw Daisy's necklace, and said "Maybe Zoey needs a necklace too ... so you betcha, Zoey will be getting one!)

Style 2858: Red Striped Boat neck top

I LOVE stripes and LOVE the bateau neckline. It was fun to sew up a quick hit. Took no time at all and no fiddly fitting issues. It fit right out of the envelop. Yay!!!

Review of Pattern
Description: Knit Coordinates including crew neck and turtle neck tops, long jacket, pants and slim skirt. I made the crew neck top, but changed the neckline to bateau.






Pattern Sizing: I cut a 14 which matched my measurements and it turned out with plenty of ease to be comfortable, but still shaped at the waist a bit. I like how it fits.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, except for the altered neckline.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, except I don't understand WHY they say to use FACINGS on knit garments. How NOT-RTW is that. I made a boat neck, serging the neck edge, pressing under 3/8 inch and stitching it down.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I don't like crew necks, but that was easy to fix. I like the fit of the top, and the other items on the pattern look cute too. One thing about the wide bateau neck is the issue of hiding bra straps. I'm using a teeny safety pin, but I like the recommendation of a reviewer to sew tiny snaps onto narrow ribbon. I'm going to add that to this top next.

Fabric Used: Cotton knit

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: 1. Changed the neckline 2. Shortened it an inch (that's all the fabric I had)

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I'd sew the top again, now I know it fits so nicely and I may sew the long straight skirt or pants, or maybe even the long jacket in the future. If you have it in your stash (it's OOP I'm quite sure), I'd recommend it. It's very fast and easy.

Cotton-Lycra top: Simplicity 9508

Finished a Cotton-Lycra top...

from Simplicity 9508

I'm calling it done, but a totally strapless top is not really very practical for me. So I debate adding straps in one of two ways:
Option 1: halter style

Sort of spaghetti strap style (which matched what the pattern had in mind) ... (I only show one of the two straps because that's all the fabric I have left. Either I use it in one wide piece for Option 1, or cut it into two narrow pieces to effect Option 2. Any opinions would be appreciated.


My pattern review for patternreview.com...
It was such a pretty piece of fabric in the too-short skirt I found at a yard sale for 50 cents. I bought it anyway, thinking I could use the fabric somehow. But it has sat in my stash of things to remake someday, and I never could decide what to make with it. The pattern stash contest has been such a butt-kicker and inspiration to "just do it" and find some pattern. The result ... this little bandeau style top...

Pattern Description: Dresses in 3 styles and various lengths. I made a top (shortened version of View C).

Pattern Sizing: Junior Sizing: 3/4 - 15/16. For some reason, I ended up with the sizing that only included 3/4-9/10. My measurements fit closer to the 13/14. Fortunately it's a very simple pattern. I added an inch plus to each side seam, and then only had to make a few adjustments afterwards. (I ignored the elastic guides and just winged it with the elastic at the upper edge).

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, except shorter and I simplified the back.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, very straight-forward.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the simple lines and straight skirt. I didn't want the fussy tie back, so I simply cut mine straight across.

Fabric Used: Cotton-Lycra.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I cut the back straight across.

Looking for opinions::: Debate shoulder strap options OK. It's done. But it's strapless. Which isn't very practical for me. The pattern shows view A with narrow straps... but I'm not sure I like that as well as something else I'm considering.... and I'd love to get some opinions ...

Option 1: Wide halter strap


Option 2: Narrow shoulder strap similar to the pattern View A. (I only show one strap on my dressform, since that's all the fabric I have left ... either I cut it as one wide halter strap for Option 1, or divide it into 2 narrower straps for Option 2.

I'd appreciate any opinions. I like Option 1 because I can fit a halter bra under that wider strap. With the narrow straps, I face the "how to wear a bra" dilemna, and the top is tight ... needs a bra in civilized company.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I won't sew it again. But if you have it in your stash, I'd recommend it.

Conclusion: Cute pattern. Very quick and easy.

Navy Striped Bateau Collar: Burda 02-2009-108

Bateau neck top from Burda 02-2009-108. This has been reviewed 34 times on patternreview.com. Who doesn't love a boat neck, and I saw so many cute ones out there, so thought I'd try it (and look tres-nautical) with this lovely navy stripe cotton/lycra.

Here's the model photo. (Jeesh... what an unnaturally thin model. Those kind of shots may sell patterns as we imagine ourselves looking like this with our finished product ... only to be disappointed. That's what I like about patternreview.com ... you see garments on REAL people)

I made my neckline an inch narrower and the overall length a couple inches shorter (that's all the fabric I had ... and my favorite hobby is seeing what I can squeeze out of a piece of fabric) I'd really prefer the top to be 4 inches longer than it is.

I need to get a photo of myself in the top because I need to ask for some help with fit issue under the arms (excess fabric in front of the sleeve). Other than that (and in spite of that), I like the top.

New Look 6038: top for my dressform

My dressform is always wearing garments for me, so I decided it was time to make something just for her. Here it is: a funnel-neck top, pattern New Look 6038, view C.
Made of a cotton/lycra with lots of stretch, here it is on her... obviously I lengthened it, and eliminated the sleeves since she doesn't have arms, and sew'd the armholes up. Doesn't she look smooth and sleek?

...and doesn't she look nice modeling a garment ...

The reason I made this top was because ... well ... let's face it ... she's an old girl, vintage. Her exterior shell just isn't as pretty as it once was (ahem ... look who's talking.) ... I wanted to cover her with fabric for two reasons: to have fabric to pin to, and so she'd look prettier as a model. With no cover, she looks a little tattered under the garment. (and there's no fabric to poke pins into)

My first effort was to simply cut the sleeves off a turtleneck and have her wear that, which worked pretty well.

But with certain garments with lower necklines (like this little black dress, it looks like the dress is a jumper being worn over a white turtleneck, which isn't the look I had in mind.

But with the new top, she looks smooth and sleek. (She needs a string of pearls, don't you think?)

Simplicity 4744: Aqua shell top

I finally finished the shell to go with my aqua cardi-wrap cozy. It took me three times longer to make the shell as the cozy. It took lots of putzing to make the pattern fit and look right... see the details in my review for patternreview.com below.

But I like how it looks with the cozy itself. When you wrap the cozy, it can almost look like it's one top with wrapping capabilities. I show 10 different ways to wear the cozy here.

For the top, I took just the bodice part of this dress. (I can't see myself ever wearing any of those dress versions, but they sure are cute. I don't have anywhere to where such a thing.)



Review for patternreview.com

Pattern Description: A "Design your own dress with skirt variations and knit bodice" that I turned into a spaghetti strap shelf bra cami. (to go with my Cardi-wrap cozy reviewed earlier.
Pattern Sizing:12-20

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?My cami looks pretty much like the bodice of the dress. Close up of top only.

Were the instructions easy to follow?Yes. Except I kept losing them. Everytime I'd turn around they were somewhere else. If I was up at the sewing machine/iron, they were downstairs and vice versa. (this happens to my scissors and pins too... anyone else like that?)

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
1. It works well as a knit spaghetti strap shell.

2. I could do without the horizontal back seam... see no need for it.

3. Another dislike is my knit sewing skills.

....3A. The hem hung nice before I hem'd it, then after hemming it stretched a bit so the bottom of the top is a tad wider than originally planned.

....3B. I understitched the shelf bra to the seam allowances, but the stitching stretched the seam and made it uglier than before it was understitched. Maybe you're not suppose to understitch knits??? I wish I hadn't. I won't in the future.

Fabric Used:cotton/poly (?) rib knit

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
1. I used only the bodice to make the top.

2. The pattern said to insert elastic in the straps. I didn't. But I think I'll go back and do that. They want to keep falling down since there's nothing to hold them up.

3. I narrow'd the front strap placement an inch, so they'd fall off the shoulder less.

4. I added a shelf bra, which isn't enough for modesty, so I took the photo with a regular bra sans straps, (shoving the straps out of the way), but that won't do for real life. I need to solve this bra with spaghetti strap knit tops dilemna. I considered building a bra into it, but already the top took 3 times as long as the cardi-wrap to make, so I didn't. I'm thinking of making bra straps by covering elastic with my fashion fabric, attaching fasteners that work with a converable bra and use them and say "hey look at these matching bra straps" (I would hope they'd almost look like they were built in... like a top with two straps...) I'm wondering if anyone has ever done this? I'd love some inspiration.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?Now that I have it sized right for me, I may make another top, but I probably won't make the dress... I wish I had occasions to wear a dress like that, but alas... I'd recommend it to others, esp. if you're the type of person who goes salsa dancing.

Conclusion: Nice pattern. Morphed well into to top. (More on my blog) ... The cardiwrap is reviewed here and I have photos of my 10 ways to wear the cardiwrap cozy here.

Oops...The Cozy that bit the dust: Simplicity 2603 cut out wrong

I started this last evening. I was having a heck of a time fitting the upper neck and shoulder seams, matching dots, etc. But nothing lined up. I couldn't figure out what "they" had done wrong in the drafting. I went back to the pattern review gallery to see if anyone else was having the problem I was.

Finally I figured it out: I had cut out the WRONG back piece. The pattern includes 2 different back pieces: one for the cardi-wrap and another one for the sleeveless shell. You can see (below) how radically different they are, and clearly explains why nothing lined up. But I forced it, stretching everywhichway. Result: ugly lumpy shoulder and neck edge. I was going to rip it out and re-do it, but wasn't inspired. I set the whole mess aside, went out today and bought new fabric and started over. It's almost done ... just need to hem the sleeves... (that's what I get for staying up too late to sew).

Black Wrap Knit Top: Simplicity 4095

Butterick 5185: Asymetrical tie front top