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StyleArc: Alice Top (Alice Top) thumbsup - Type:Tops    printable version
Viewed 431 times 7 more reviews
Review rated Helpful by 3 people    Very Helpful by 11 people   
Reviewed by:michellep74
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About michellep74starstarstar
CA USA
Member since: 7/19/07
Reviews written: 118
Sewing skills:Intermediate
Favored by: 98 people
patterns reviewed: 104
Bio: more...
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Posted on:12/10/12 2:03 AM
Pattern Size:Plus-Sized Regular 
Project Photo:photo
Pattern Photo:StyleArc Alice Top
StyleArc Pattern Info
Pattern Rating:Highly Recommend
Current Tags What is a Tag:
Fabric:Cotton-Lycra Knit  [See other projects in this fabric]
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Pattern Description: From the StyleArc web site:

"This lovely feminine top has a gathered front bodice creating a soft V neckline and rouched sleeves."

Pattern Sizing:

Style Arc sizes 6-30 (similar to Australian RTW sizes). Note that StyleArc patterns are hand-drawn and only available in one size per envelope.

My current measurements are very close to the StyleArc size 24, so that's the size that I chose for this pattern.

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

Yes. Although note that whether or not you see the little indent at the sleeve bottom shown in the line drawing depends on how far down you extend the elastic when you do the rouching step. The guide on the pattern piece actually does not extend it into the hem allowance, which I think you'd need to do to get the indent effect.

Here's a picture of my sleeve detail:

Alice sleeve detail

Were the instructions easy to follow?

StyleArc instructions are more in the style of a list providing an order of construction than a sewing lesson. This was such an easy top to make that I think most seamstresses who are comfortable sewing a t-shirt will be fine.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

Likes: It's a nice twist on a basic short-sleeved t-shirt with the rouched neckline and sleeves. I love that I was able to choose a size based on my full bust and still have this fit fine through the neck and shoulders (no FBA!). It sews up fast and easily. The fit is true-to-size, and I see this becoming a quick go-to pattern for stashbusting when I want a new short-sleeved knit top. DH also says that the rouching at the neckline makes things look...perkier. Can't complain about that.

Dislikes: Not so much a dislike, but more a word of caution...if you're using a stretchy knit for this top, you might want to shorten the neck binding length. On my first version of this top (not the one pictured), I had to fiddle with the neckband length so that the neckline wouldn't be stretched out.

Fabric Used:

I made a wearable muslin (that I actually wear an awful lot) from a rayon jersey from fabric.com. The version pictured is in a nice quality cotton-lycra jersey from fabric.com. Both fabrics were fine for this top. Given that you don't need a super-drapey knit for this pattern, I think that a variety of light-to-midweight knits will work for this pattern.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

The pattern instructions have you flip the neck binding to the inside and stitch it down. I tried that on my wearable muslin but felt that it added to the risk of the neckline stretching out. For the second version, I just did a traditional neck binding.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

I've already sewn it twice and would definitely sew it again. You can easily sew this up in a few hours. I would definitely recommend it to others who have sewn a few knit tops.

Conclusion:

Cute, easy to sew top with fun rouching details.
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11 Comments      Login to Add a Comment
Sew4Fun said...
Lovely top Michelle! The neckline and ruching are very flattering on you. DH is right. :) And no FBA! Got to love this. :)
12/10/12 2:32 AM
Jaknan said...
Love the top, love the colour, love your smile!! I love this pattern too. It's great on you!
12/10/12 3:51 AM
meggy said...
The top looks fantastic, great colour too!
12/10/12 4:36 AM
Rascalsmom said...
This looks so great on you! Great job on the sleeve detail - I appreciate the close up. I wondered exactly how that went together. Lovely!
12/10/12 8:08 AM
Rascalsmom said...
This looks so great on you! Great job on the sleeve detail - I appreciate the close up. I wondered exactly how that went together. Lovely!
12/10/12 8:09 AM
Christas said...
Your new top looks great on you! The sleeve detail is so cute, and pink is definitely YOUR color!
12/10/12 8:43 AM
carolynw said...
Very pretty - nice fit. Love your smile too!!
12/10/12 10:40 AM
AdaH said...
Very nice looking top and the fit is wonderful. No FBA...hummmm I will have to have another look at StyleArc patterns.
12/10/12 11:27 AM
Rhoda K said...
Very pretty top! You sure have been one busy gal!
12/10/12 12:39 PM
sewme47 said...
So cute on you. Is that baby drool on the front? Haha... how I remember the days of always having some kind of baby fluid on my shirts!!!!!!!!!!!!
12/10/12 5:58 PM
Annette1 said...
Another WINNING Style Arc pattern, and you look SO pretty in this COLOR. ;o)
12/12/12 0:10 AM
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