This is Vogue 1197, a top from Sandra Betzina. This top and pants is described as such: Semi-fitted, pullover tops A, B in two lengths have raglan sleeves, shirred with elastic and two cowl variations, optional contrast cordless piping. Close fitting, 1" seam pull-on pants C with side slits and elastic waist. All have stitched hems.
The only notions you need for this top is stay tape, steam-a-seam, and elastic for the shirring.
This pattern is designed for moderate stretch knits only and honestly, you couldn't make it in a woven if you wanted to. Yep, it would fit over your head, but the body is more fitted than the envelope shows.
This top is somewhat of a fabric hog. Typcially a tunic wouldn't take that much fabric, but this one (View B) takes about 2.5 yards. The hoggish part is the sleeves and the cowl. Is hoggish a word?
I used this beautiful mohair/cashmere sweater knit I purchased from Fabric Mart about a year ago. I love it! I purchased three yards at Four bucks a yard! Can you believe it? This beautiful top for less than $12! I love how soft and warm it is.
What can I say about this pattern? It is fast, easy and just fits well! Since I am rather full-chested, I cut a larger size in the bust area and the next size smaller through the waist and hips. I also made my usual 1/2 inch sway back adjustment by taking a wedge out from the waist line area and tapering out to nothing at the side seam.
There are many fitting tips from Sandra, and since I have used her patterns before, I really didn't read them.
I made a few minor adjustments to the pattern as I sewed simply because it made it easier for me. Here they are:
1. After sewing the front sleeve to the back, I fused 1" wide strips of interfacing to the hemline to stabilize it so it didn't stretch when I hemmed it. Since the wrist seems a little narrow, I completed that step prior to sewing anything else so it would lay flat.
2. I attached the stay-tape to the neckline prior to attaching the cowl. After stitching on the cowl, I turned the seam so it faced the top and on the outside top stitched two rows of a stretch stitch to keep the seam from rolling and also to cover the stay-tape. Sometimes stay tape is a little itchy. This covered the tape beautifully and is in no way itchy.
3. Instead of using the steam-a-seam, I used 1" strip of interfacing on the hemline. It stabilized it beautifully and kept it nice as I hemmed it.
All in all, this is a great pattern. If you have passed it over because of the pattern envelope, give it a go. It fits well, lends itself to some fun variations based on fabric choice and is comfortable! What more could you want?
Thanks for reading!
Sue
Here are some additional photos at my blog: Ilove2sew! |
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Great tunic, Sue, what pretty fabric!
1/20/13 7:57 PM
Great looking tunic!
1/20/13 9:43 PM
Love the fabric. Great look.
1/21/13 9:52 AM
Perfect tunic - looks great with your figure! I'm afraid my hips would ruin it for me, but I definitely want to try the pants...
2/19/13 10:44 PM