Kwik Sew: 3657 ( Women's Tunic) - Type:Tops  | | Viewed 320 times
| 1 more reviews | Review rated Very Helpful by 19 people | | Reviewed by: | hestiah | 
 | About hestiah | | VA USA | | Member since: 5/21/07 | | Reviews written: 16 | | Sewing skills:Advanced Beginner | | Favored by: 3 people | | patterns reviewed: 15 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 6/10/09 2:00 PM | | Last Updated: | 6/10/09 2:02 PM | | Pattern Size: | Plus-Sized | | Project Photo: |  | | Pattern Photo: | 
Kwik Sew Pattern Info | | Pattern Rating: | Highly Recommend | | See other patterns in this category: Tops Plus | Available for sale on PR: $11.99 (See envelope)  | | | | Fabric: | Cotton [See other projects in this fabric] | | Related Links | Click on  to add a link |
| Pattern Description:
Pull-over tunic and top have raglan sleeves, round neckline with front and sleeves gathered to neckband, and sleeves have elastic in casings at bottom edges. View A sleeves fit below elbow and View B sleeves above elbow.
Pattern Sizing:
Plus sizes 1X-4X. I made view B in a 3X morphing to a 4X at the hips
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Looked more like the drawing that the photo thankfully (seriously, KS has great patterns but serious trouble making their clothes look nice on the envelope)
Were the instructions easy to follow?
They were wonderful, clear, typical KS instructions.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I really liked the round neckline and gathering effect, I was a little worried about the overall tunic shape (usually a no go for me), but it ended up very flattering.
Fabric Used:
A purple cotton gauze from JoAnns. I was in a big hurry to get this top made up, and against my better judgement didn't wash this fabric to preshrink it. Once completed, I ran it through the wash, and it did shrink, but as it was a little roomy to begin with, not a big deal. I actually needed to take 1/2 - 3/4 inch off the sleeve before I washed it, but afterwards it was perfect.
The pattern recommends matte jersey, polyester interlock, jersey, challis, silk and silk types.
I did end up having some trouble hemming this top due to the stretchy (non-recoverable for the most part) nature of this fabric, and to the fact that I'd added at the hips which increase the 'bell' shape of the top. For my first try I did a double needle, which looked horrible and really stretched out the hem--gave me an ugly wavy finish. The second time, I used my sergers differential feed to cinch in the bottom of the top, then turned it up and sewed a regular stitch. Turns out I cinched it too much, and it was tight around my hips. To get a decent hem in the end, I deepened the side seams a bit at the bottom, turned down the presser foot pressure, used a longer stitch length and used a tip I've read somewhere on PR about holding your finger behind the presser foot to slow down the feed of fabric. Still a BIT stretched out, but I'm hoping another time through the washer/dryer will sort it out.
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
The main change I made was to give myself a bit more room at the hips. With the fabric I used, it ended up not being totally necessary--the cotton gauze has got a bit of stretch to it. I also ended up cutting off some at the bottom--about an inch in back, and a bit more in the front. KS plus patterns are drafted for large cup sizes (maybe D or DD at the 3X size), and I'm a B, so I had a bit of extra length in the front.
One really weird thing--there were warnings in big, boxed letters all over this pattern warning you not to trace or blend between sizes. That seemed odd to me, then I noticed the same advice in the KS online pdf about fitting. I would never get anything to fit if I didn't blend sizes, and I'm pretty sure just about everyone here on PR finds it necessary too, AND I've seen that as a solution recommended in many fitting books, so KS has thrown me for a loop with that one. Has anyone else noticed this on their KS patterns?
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I am absolutely sewing this again, as soon as I eke out some sewing time. This pattern gave me a lovely, girly, flattering summer top, and made up in the cotton gauze it is amazingly cool. I have some green gauze for the next one, and I also plan to try it with a shirting cotton I have. I would definitely recommend this pattern--its quick and easy with a minimum of fitting issues due to its relaxed style.
Conclusion:
A nice, updated pattern that has recently been added to the KS Plus line. I think its open to a lot of variations with fabric type, or maybe a contrast neckband, or one think I'd like to try, the addition of a bit of elastic under the bust line. I see a lot of tops like that in stores at the moment. I only discovered KS patterns a few years ago, but I am forming an ever deepening love for them!
Extra pics here | Buy this pattern for $11.99 Add to Bag  |
| *LOGIN to add a comment to this review
*Only registered members can post comments to the reviews. Membership is free. if you are not a member, please Sign-up now! |
|
 Pattern with more than 5 reviews!
<< Previous Review Next Review >> | Reader Comments | | leeannz | 6/10/09 | Pretty and breezy for the summer!!! | | * * * | | Christas | 6/10/09 | You ignored the KWIK Sew warnings and decided to blend lines?! Oh, my! Did the "Sewing Police" come to get you? HA! The fit looks perfect and I think you made a wonderful call to ignore the warnings. Your shirt is lovely! | | * * * | | moonchild61 | 6/10/09 | Pretty color and looks nice. Don't get the blending sizes thing, I mean, a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do. | | * * * | | annie11 | 6/10/09 | Love it! That color is really beautiful on you. I also ignore their warnings against blending sizes. Try a walking foot to help you hem stretchy and unruly fabrics. | | * * * | | Time4me | 6/10/09 | Hey, cute shirt. I just made my first Kwik Sew pattern and noticed the warnings. I too thought that was pretty unusual. I wonder if that is a new thing?
| | * * * | | CarolynGM | 6/10/09 | What a lovely top! Those warnings puzzle me, too. It must be a new thing because I haven't noticed it on any of my older KS patterns. | | * * * | | Kayseri | 6/10/09 | Great looking top and very flattering. As I'm a similar shape I'll have to get this one. | | * * * | | Leora | 6/11/09 | I made a gauze top two-ish years ago and it is still my FAV to wear, have to stop myself from reaching for it too much. In fact, it is time to make a replacement and your purple is looking great! Nice top!! | | * * * | | Woolygal | 6/11/09 | This is a winner for sure. | | * * * | | craftygamma | 6/11/09 | That top looks really nice on you. That is really wierd about the line blending--practically every womens pattern I sew blends to the next size at the hips. In fact I have noticed that so often in the reviews that I think maybe it's time for the pattern companies to realize women have bigger hips than they think! | | * * * | | JEF | 6/11/09 | Very pretty top! | | * * * | | zannie | 6/14/09 | You did a great job and I think your top is way cuter than the pattern photo! | | * * * | | meesa | 8/2/09 | I also made this top and I noticed the suggestion on the pattern not to blend sizes. I had to do the same--3X morphed to 4X+ in the hips. I love this pattern! | | * * * | | pammieh | 9/7/09 | I now love Kwik Sew; I'm not going back - great piece!! | | * * * |
|
|
|Login|Help]
