Date: 11/17/09 3:06 PM

Well,

I am just about to cut out one of two cardi's that I have planned to make and I need advice about the second one.

I am not quite plus sized but I have a plus sized shape.

I have very broad shoulders and my rib cage tapers quite a bit. That is why my

upper bust measurement is 39" and my bust is 41" but I wear a 36D bra. natural waist is 33" but VERY QUICKLY (like 2" lower, around my belly button) I am a 37". Yes I have a muffin top!
hips are 39" mostly due to a c-section tummy. All the fluff is in front, my actual bottom and hips and thighs are firm and muscular.
Kwik sew fits me well with a size L up top and S or M on bottom.
I am 5' 7"

So my question is...

Would this look better on me? This one with the gathering starting above the bust and higher up on the back? View A (the purple one)



or this one with the gathering staring below the bust and lower down on the back? View A (tope left brown one)



Here is a link to both patterns:

McCalls 5713
Simplicity 2560

My plan is to make it in an wonderful drapey cotton/bamboo/lycra blend

Thanks in advance for any feedback you can provide. And feel free to tell me if you think neither would work too!

ETA height
-- Edited on 11/17/09 3:15 PM --

Date: 11/17/09 3:10 PM

You don't mention how tall you are...I have a tadpole shape, and if it were me, I think I'd pick the second one, because there's nothing to stop the fabric just hanging off the bust like a shower curtain in the first one.

Love the way the first one looks, but notice the model is using both hands to restrain the billows...

Wonder what anybody else has to say?

Date: 11/17/09 3:39 PM

I'd say the first one, just b/c you do have a waist.

but the second one is fresher, and flirtier. So, really, the second.

yeah, the second, so you can show off your booty and legs.

Date: 11/19/09 3:38 AM

The second one. It will balance your hips more (which are smaller than your bustline), and still hide your tummy. The "fresher" comment is a good description for this one.

I think in your case the first one will exagerate the difference between bust/hips and add bulk to your bustline and abdomen.

Date: 11/19/09 2:08 PM

Thanks Ladies,

After reading your all your insightful comments and looking more closely at the photos, I have to agree with all of you.

The second one it is. I am on my way down to trace the pattern now.

Thanks again!

PS thanks for the lovely comment about my rear (even if you haven't actually seen it!)

Date: 12/13/09 11:59 AM

I haven't done my pattern review yet but I will just do a quick update here for reference.

I ended up sewing Simplicity 2560 View A with View B's sleeves.

I had to add length to the front top so that the gathering would hang below my bust. The curved drape is not flattering to my tummy. Also, I made it too large. I am used to sewing Kwik Sew which pretty much fits right out of the envelope and I forgot and sewed my size according to my full bust measurement (size 20). So, it is too wide. I sewed a size 14 view B for my niece and while it is too small it looks much better. I guess it is all in the drape.

Most likely I will donate the size 20 and sew a size 18 or even 16 for myself.

Reply to Time4me
Date: 12/13/09 12:15 PM

Time4me, This look is in the stores right now. DKNY has what is called a "cozy" in the stores now. Macy's has them. Looks a lot like the McCalls pattern. Go try it on and see what you think. They are made up in very light weight soft fabrics that must drape. If you make this in something that does not drape it will look bulky on the body. I think the look is very flattering to most body types provided the fabric is soft and drapy.