| Reader Comments |
| Mini | 5/23/04 | I NEVER struggle with a pattern that doesn't work on a first or second attempt. Life is too short. Some patterns just don't work and that is that:). This type of wide neckline top with cut-on sleeves looks so easy in concept, but it is actually rather difficult to fit and wear, especially for very petite women. It takes a very broad shoulder to "anchor" this style.However, if you wish to keep going on this one, here are a few ideas. Perhaps you could make this pattern fit better by adding a front and back center seam. Then you can do a basted fitting and take in where needed before doing the final stitching. Regarding a faced neckline on knits, I occasionally see this on ready to wear. It is used when there is a need to stabilize the neckline to support embroidery, button plackets, zippers, or other decorative elements. If you prefer to serge, or turn and topstitch the edge, just do it! You are the best judge of what method works for your fabric. |
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| sewgirl | 5/23/04 | Dr Sue, I can always tell yuor beautiful work just from the photograph from the home page!! On the Threads magazine web site, there is a video about ataching a neck binding to a knit. That might be helpful to you :) |
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| MaryBeth | 5/23/04 | I'd say, from what you've told us, that it's the fabric you're using that's causing the edges to stand up rather than lie against the body. You're using facing, right? Each stitch is adding thread and bulk to the seamline and when you turn and topstitch, you're adding more bulk. A "save" would be to zigzag on some nice stretch trim, pulling slightly to draw up the fabric. And these sleeves do not look very "capped" to me either. Next time you can elongate the shoulder line with and downward curving shoulder cap as I'm sure you've made a note to do. I love the pink, though, and I'd wear it! No one knows it needs more "cap" but us chickens! |
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| jlg | 5/23/04 | Drsue, I tried this pattern with a rayon lycra and made a small based on my measurements. The shoulders were way too wide (I don't have narrow shoulders at all), and I had the same problem with the neckline. I was going to make it in an XS because I liked the simple lines and neckline of this pattern, but based on your review, I think that I'll skip it. Although I'm sorry that you had so much trouble with it, it's reassuring to know that it wasn't just me. |
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| Linda L | 5/23/04 | I know and understand your frustration. Go to Thread magazine website. Type in knit necklines in the search area. Click on attaching knit necklines. Great video. The articile is in the April/May 2003 Threads. I use this technique now instead of facing and other means of attaching knit neck bindings and I get great results. Sorry this pattern did not work out but love the color of your top. |
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| Jennifer in California | 5/23/04 | I love cap sleeves. I'm plus sized. And wide necklines look better on me than tight necklines probably because my neck is thick/fat. So my guess is that it's not a good style for small women. I love your top; the color is wonderful. |
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| Oopsy-Daisy! | 5/23/04 | Oh, but the top looks so pretty on the dressform! I bought this pattern, too, only for the skirt - which I hope to try this week. Maybe you'd like the skirt, too, and the pattern won't be a total loss. |
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| gabrielle | 5/23/04 | I've used the facing method, and thought it worked well if I cut the facing shorter than the neckline it and stretched it to fit as one would a binding. I've used facing on boat necks and v-necklines, but not on something this wide. One thing about the video that might not be so helpful is that it shows the binding seamed into a circle before application. I often don't do this, because I like to stretch the binding quite a bit on the curved areas around the shoulders, and less so in the flatter spots. It seems to help fine-tune gappy necklines, but who knows...in any event, your top really looks pretty, and I'm sorry it didn't work out. I do love the shape and color. |
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| drsue | 5/23/04 | mini: yes, I should have known better, the fewer the pattern pieces, the less room for error there is. Mary Beth: great idea! I don't have any stretch trim currently so I will have to do this later. jlg: interesting that even with wide shoulders this didn't work for you. Did you use the facing as instructed? Were your sleeves cap-like? sewgirl & Linda: I have seen and used the threads article but I never looked at the video. I usually use the threads technique but decided I would use KS's directions. Oopsey: I may make the skirt. My DH has two just like it she bought from Nordstroms. They are made in an interlock and the hem is unfinished - how's that for easy. |
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| penelope | 5/24/04 | Well, it sure looks good on the form, but from the back view, I do see what you mean. What I get from your review and the comments is that the neckline/shoulder cap on this pattern is probably too wide and also maybe it's not a good idea, at least not with some knits, to use facing with knits...? I just watched the video and picked up a few pointers. Mostly--so far--I've had good luck serging "ribbing" out of the fashion fabric to necklines on knits, but you don't always want that look. Tis a puzzlement. |
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| mag | 5/24/04 | It looks pretty in the picture. One would never know that it was so difficult to fit. |
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| cindyann | 2/27/05 | I'm so glad that you got this pattern to work for you. Your mistake on the neckline became an asset. I think that treatment is very pretty. |
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| Hilary | 2/27/05 | YAH! So glad you got it to work-I think I tried to fit KS's famous wrap top 5-6 times before I finally got it. I was too stubborn to let it win, lol. It looks really pretty, I love the color! Great save on the inside out facing, it looks intentional. |
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| MickeyFan | 2/27/05 | There is nothing worse than struggling with something you think should take an hour to make up. I admire your perserverance with fitting this top. I really like the neckline, and I may just pick up this pattern myself. You are not the only one who has this experience with KS tops. I have to go down a size and then take it in some. Unfortunately, I see you don't have any smaller sizes to go to! Great job with the neckline detail. I like it and may give it a try. |
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| Cornelia | 2/28/05 | What a success! You managed to porduce a well fitted top with only two pieces of cloth. Not many places to do any fitting, but you did it. Fitting a much more complicated pattern would probably have been much easier. |
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| val from oz | 3/2/05 | Sue, I have trouble getting this type of neckline to fit and I have a sturdy set of shoulders, beleive me. Try taking some width out of the CF and CB by placing the pattern peice 1/4" (or more) over the edge of the pattern. You are on a fitting learning curve. I say Go for it. |
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