HotPatterns: 1137 - Type:Tops  | | Viewed 560 times
| 1 more reviews | Review rated Very Helpful by 19 people | | Reviewed by: | Dilliander | 
 | About Dilliander | | AUSTRALIA | | Member since: 11/28/08 | | Reviews written: 68 | | Sewing skills:Intermediate | | Favored by: 68 people | | patterns reviewed: 65 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 1/4/13 11:02 PM | | Last Updated: | 1/4/13 11:29 PM | | Project Photo: |  | | Pattern Photo: | More Info provided by Dilliander | | Pattern Rating: | Recommend, with Modifications | | | | Fabric: | Polyester Knit [See other projects in this fabric] | | Related Links | Click on  to add a link |
| Pattern Description:
A simple sleeveless top with a lovely draped front that ties at the side, inspired by the popular Polyvore DVF Grandie top (now sold out)
Pattern Sizing: 6
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes, although mine is a hybrid with sleeves and uses the DVF style ties to secure the drape.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
The process for assembling the tie front pieces is relatively simple but quite difficult to explain, and this is reflected in the instructions that come with the pattern. However, Trudy's video is a great help in understanding how to do this part of the top.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
The drawing on the pattern is just lovely, especially the draped tie front, and so very clever as well. Hot Patterns have done a great job in creating a similar style to the lovely DVF top.
Fabric Used:
A thin silky poly knit from Spotlight.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I took on this challenge for a sewing friend to see if the pattern/style could be made more petite. As we are similar in size I experimented using my own tee sloper, with the aim that my friend could then do something similar using the neck and shoulders/armscye from her own sloper.
The pattern has quite a bit of ease, so I began by tracing the smallest size and morphing it with my holy grail tee sloper for a closer fitting hybrid top. The sloper was used mainly for sizing and the DVF inspired style/design is kudos to Hot Patterns.
Hot Patterns have designed the top primarily for woven fabrics, so this may also explain the smaller size required for a knit.
I made a quick toile of the frankenpattern, then another quick toile and a few more tweeks, before sewing the top.
The final pattern pieces inlcuded the following changes - these mainly concerned petiting the pattern and taking out excess fullness (SBA):
* reduced the length/amount of fabric that is gathered into the 1.5" strap by taking several small pleats (as suggested by Trudi in her video) but this time it was done on the actual pattern
* reduce side gathers (both the amount gathered and length of this section) as well as reshaping the curve so overall it is less full
* reduced length and depth of the folded area
* added a small tie to the same side as the fold tie (rather than the longer tie on the opposite side that goes around the back and through a loop to secure the front)
Construction notes
Two important things if you are making this top:
* be sure to watch the excellent video provided on the Hot Patterns website as the visual instructions for assembling the tie front pieces is much easier to follow
* choosing the right fabric is essential to achieve the drape and for all the gathers (a lot of fabric) to be pulled tightly enough to fit onto the end of the tie piece - it needs to be a fine lightweight knit, ideally not too slippery (or woven if you are using the HP pattern)
Since I adapted the HP top to my own sloper the remaining construction was straight forward and finished in the usual way:
* scoop neckline with single fold binding
* sleeve bands
* single fold 1.5cm coverstitched hem
Finished photos
Laid out flat showing style
Hidden gathers at side about half the fullness from original pattern
Front view
Side view
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, its an elegant design. HP have come up with an excellent and ingeniuos way of recreating the DVF inspired gathered drape and tie. While the original pattern is best suited to a curvier fuller figure, it wasn't difficult to do the SBA/petite adjustments once a toile (or two) was made.
Conclusion:
My friend has yet to try it on, but I'm hopeful these changes will be just right for her as well and she can then use the adjustments with her own tee sloper 
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 Pattern with more than 5 reviews!
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28 Comments
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Lovely top! I've been wanting to sew this pattern using a knit and to add sleeves, so your review is very helpful, thanks!
1/4/13 11:21 PM
Great-looking top!
1/4/13 11:57 PM
Very cute and lovely on you!
1/5/13 0:01 AM
Very elegant top.
1/5/13 0:41 AM
Thank you, it looks fantastic on you and can't wait to try it on. I really appreciate your assistance.
1/5/13 0:52 AM
Lovely, elegant top - it looks great on you!
1/5/13 1:29 AM
This is very stylish and beautifully made Sandra.
1/5/13 1:50 AM
Very nice fit. Great review.
1/5/13 2:00 AM
Looks beautiful.
1/5/13 2:29 AM
that is a beautiful top - I don't know this pattern company and not sure if we can get them in the UK but based on this top I would be interested to try them out
1/5/13 4:14 AM
Great looking top! Very nicely done.
1/5/13 4:30 AM
This is a perfect little top. Thanks for all the helpful detail in your review. I see that several of the Hot Patterns styles are available as free downloads at Fabric.com.
1/5/13 7:37 AM
Thank you for the detailed review. I bet your friend will be thrilled.
1/5/13 7:46 AM
So pretty!!
1/5/13 8:39 AM
Very pretty top and the fit is perfect. Thanks for all the helpful tips.
1/5/13 8:59 AM
Looks great on you!
1/5/13 10:17 AM
This top is so GORGEOUS!!!! Looks beautiful on you!! Thanks for the detail review. I would love to try this pattern one day. I would be sure to watch the video. Did the pattern instructions have diagrams?
1/5/13 10:47 AM
Yes just gorgeous your sewing is beautiful as always!!!
1/5/13 11:35 AM
This is simply stunning. You have created another lovely top - I believe to to be way superior to the DVF top. Looks great on you.
1/5/13 3:02 PM
Outstanding top! Really pretty on you!
1/5/13 3:07 PM
What a great design and style and your fitting adjustments look wonderful! Very Pretty!
1/5/13 7:45 PM
Great looking top. Thanks for the detailed review.
1/6/13 1:49 AM
This top is gorgeous on you! I tried this pattern but couldn't make it work for my figure. I am glad yours turned out so beautifully!
1/6/13 2:21 PM
I love this especially in a knit & long sleeves! Your sewing is fab as usual. I may be forced to buy my 1st HotPatterns which is out of my price range or else try to copy it.
1/6/13 5:37 PM
Lovely top!!
1/9/13 8:15 PM
Lovely top thank you for sharing your changes
1/10/13 5:37 PM
Fabulous work Sandra.
1/12/13 9:47 PM
Absolutely love your version, love the sleeves, I have never added sleeves to a sleeveless top any tips, did you use another pattern?
2/11/13 5:33 PM