Pattern Description:
"Funnel Neck Top: Close-fitting top with 3/4 length sleeves and funnel neck. Wrap Skirt: Semi-fitted skirt with self-fabric ties that wrap around the back and tie in the front. Skirt may be made reversible. Hoodie: Hooded, loose-fitting jacket with long sleeves. Jacket is fastened at top with button and self-fabric loop. Jacket may be made reversible."
I made the top.
Pattern Sizing:
XS-XL (all in one pattern)
I traced a medium.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Extremely so, except for the instruction about sewing the seams together for the inside of the neck. This is to help the funnel neck stay put. I couldn't understand this and gave up. (I'll just have to fiddle with mine if it comes out.) I need to email the company on what this means unless someone out there can straighten me out.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Somehow, I managed to merge a favorite color (a deep, blue red), with a lovely fabric that was just right for this pattern.
This is an incredibly easy pattern. There is one piece for the front and back plus a sleeve. Basically, you sew the shoulders, sew on the sleeves, sew the sides, and hem (except for that neck part that I didn't understand).
The instructions for this pattern are designed for those using sergers, I prefer to sew my knits on sergers, when possible, and appreciate it when the instructions incorporate this.
Fabric Used:
Mystery knit bought for $11.23 from Vogue Fabrics at the 2010 Chantilly Expo. It looks, acts, and feels like a quality slinky, so I put that above.
The pattern calls for 1-1/2 yards of fabric. I had 1-7/8 of a yard and was delighted to have enough fabric left over to cut out a sleeveless shell. So if you don't have quite 1-1/2 yards, you might still have enough to make this.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I am short-waisted and do not look good in 3/4 length sleeves, so I lengthened these to full length. They're a bit long, and next time I'll lop off another inch or so from my traced pattern.
I did a 1/2 inch forward shoulder adjustment for my computer-age shoulders. I also did a narrow shoulder adjustment by lopping off 3/4 inches where the sleeve adjoins the body pieces and tapering to nothing at the mid-point of the sleeve area on the body.
I read somewhere that Christine Jonson patterns are designed for a C-cup, 5 foot 4 inch or so people, so I have been dying to try one of her patterns. I am a D-cup and thought I could get away with making this without any FBA adjustments. Well, I got away with it, but there are tell-tale wrinkles that show I should have done either wider side seams or an FBA for it to look as nice as it could have, as can be seen here. Next time I will do something about this. I am 5 foot 3.5 inches, and did not make any changes to the length on the front/back pattern piece. Got away with it!
I also made these changes to how it's put together:
--I used clear elastic in the shoulders to add stability. Since the shoulders kind of slope into the neck, I guessed on the length of elastic to use by basically sewing the elastic from the shoulder edge to the marking/matching dot. It turned out fine.
--To the sleeve and bodice hems, I sewed in 1 inch fusible knit stay tape from Emma Seabrooke, then fused this in place before hemming with twin needles. Love this stuff! It keeps the needles from skipping and adds stability to hems without making them too stiff.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
YES and YES! I really enjoyed making this, but I really love how it looks on me, too. For a one piece bodice pattern, I can't believe how nice this looks and can't figure out if it's the fabric or the pattern. Will need to try another type of knit to test this.
Conclusion:
This is absolutely my favorite pattern for a knit top that I have ever sewn. I love funnel neck tops because they are different and interesting looking and do not "choke" you like a turtleneck sometimes can. The simplicity of sewing this top also meant that after cutting, I had it made, but for hemming, in about 30 minutes. This is an instant TNT for me! All pictures here.
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Beautiful work, and a very helpful discussion of your process of using this pattern. Thanks so much!
11/20/12 11:04 PM
Wonderful top! Nice work and I love the color! About the funnel neck, I wonder if they meant sewing the seam allowances together on the inside? That could be tricky and it might be easier to stitch in the ditch instead if flipping turns out to be a problem at all. Thanks for the tip about the fusible tapes too!
11/21/12 5:50 AM
Love the color and style. Thanks for the details in review.
11/21/12 9:29 AM
Lovely and luscious color! Nice looking top.
11/21/12 4:24 PM
Love the colour!
11/25/12 7:07 PM