ETA: I removed about 4 inches from the shoulder area of the top. It was just too big there when I chose the size that fit my bust and waist.
This also made the neck less sloppy. Downsized view
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Pattern Description: Knit, raglan-sleeve T shirt with shirring at the armscye in front and back. Downloadable includes long sleeve, short sleeve and dress with flounce.
Pattern Sizing: 34-42, I made size 38 based on bust size.
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? Yes. This is an easy T.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Like:
-The shoulder shaping effect of the gathers.
-The method used for neck binding.
Dislike:
-I think this is just me but the top seems big in the shoulder area.
-The neckline is too wide for me.
-It's very long in the body and the sleeves are meant to be 3 cm longer than normal. I don't know what to do with that extra length.
Fabric Used: Peacock blue, cotton/lycra jersey knit.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
-Used smallest size to narrow sleeve from bicep to wrist.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I really like this pattern. I just need to make some sizing adjustments. I flat-pattern measured when determining size but didn't know how to measure the shoulders on a raglan sleeve.
I will not trim off the seam allowance on the neckline next time. The back sits too low and isn't attractive on me.
Conclusion: I think this pattern could be a "best of" basic. It goes together easily and gives the slight illusion of the wearer having Michelle Obama shoulders.
I think mine could be saved if I wear a scarf
squirrellypoo said... Thanks very much for the review! I just traced this one today. The neck doesn't look overly low in the photo though? I think it looks great! 2/10/13 6:17 PM
21wale said... I think it looks really nice. The shoulder detail is very appealing. 2/10/13 6:52 PM
mochalover said... I agree with squirrellypoo, I think the neck looks great. In fact, very cute top! 2/10/13 7:21 PM
SavageCoco said... Good review, thanks. I too, think this looks nice on you. I respectfully suggest perhaps it's a bit big. The pattern is for a very body conscious Tee, so may be cut a size smaller next time. And you're rockin' the FLOTUS shoulders! 2/10/13 7:30 PM
ArtAttack said... I'm with Coco...I just think it's too big. It's adorable, though, and sizing down will be killer. Cute color on you. I've toyed with dl'ing this one...it's really cute. 2/10/13 7:40 PM
Sue Parrott said... I really like this on you. Perhaps it is a tad too big, but it is all about how you like it to fit. I love the shoulders on you, super cute! Oh, and the scarf looks great too! 2/10/13 9:25 PM
SewWil said... Cute top! I like it on you with or without the scarf. Great color on you. 2/10/13 10:59 PM
Levone said... Cute top! This is definitely on my list to make! 2/11/13 0:30 AM
pdiddly said... Having just made this I am with you on your review comments - love the darker colour - I still want to make a black on when I find the right fabric 2/11/13 3:21 AM
GoodbyeValntino said... Great top! I hope you'll make it again and detail your sizing adjustments once you get it perfected. This style looks great on you! 2/11/13 7:21 AM
Amanda.Claire said... Cute top! I am about to download this top. I will keep in mind your review when I get around to making this. I am endowed with really small shoulders. 2/11/13 7:23 AM
Elke said... Very cute top! I think this style looks very good on you. 2/11/13 7:41 AM
cleverkitty said... I know exactly what you mean about wide necklines.
The cotton knit would be a shame to waste, the scarf does look good with it :) 2/11/13 10:02 AM
Margaret said... Great top! I've found with the too-long sleeves, if they are made with negative ease they can be worn scrunched up and don't hang too long. Maybe that was what the pattern intended? 2/11/13 12:13 PM
miausiau said... I now have narrow shoulders since my swimming "career" ended...every top I make I add to the neckline an inch or so. I made this one with enough to meet up with a turtleneck collar. Lovely pattern though! And great job reworking it. 2/12/13 12:33 PM
redrockcity said... It looks great! I agree that going down one size might make you a little more comfortable with the neckline. Very flattering either way though!! 2/12/13 2:50 PM
Nan Kay said... I didn't think the neck looked bad , but it really does fit you better after your adjustment. Really pretty top too. 2/12/13 3:28 PM
ArtAttack said... Yep! Now you've nailed it! It looks so great on you...good work. 2/12/13 5:18 PM
SavageCoco said... Oh, well done. Much better! 2/13/13 1:16 AM
margy.64 said... Cute top. Love the colour. 2/13/13 3:36 AM
grays08 said... I love it with the adjustment and am now wanting to do that to mine as my neck binding is also driving me nuts as it sags from being just too long when I applied it. I really like your neckline now and makes me want to change this when I make it again. Thanks for the update! 2/13/13 5:27 PM
Jstarr4250 said... Looks great in a solid color to show off the ruching. Glad you got the fit worked out- its a great style on you. I printed your review and stuck it in that Burda issue for when I get around to it. 2/22/13 7:35 AM
Thanks very much for the review! I just traced this one today. The neck doesn't look overly low in the photo though? I think it looks great!
2/10/13 6:17 PM
I think it looks really nice. The shoulder detail is very appealing.
2/10/13 6:52 PM
I agree with squirrellypoo, I think the neck looks great. In fact, very cute top!
2/10/13 7:21 PM
Good review, thanks. I too, think this looks nice on you. I respectfully suggest perhaps it's a bit big. The pattern is for a very body conscious Tee, so may be cut a size smaller next time. And you're rockin' the FLOTUS shoulders!
2/10/13 7:30 PM
I'm with Coco...I just think it's too big. It's adorable, though, and sizing down will be killer. Cute color on you. I've toyed with dl'ing this one...it's really cute.
2/10/13 7:40 PM
I really like this on you. Perhaps it is a tad too big, but it is all about how you like it to fit. I love the shoulders on you, super cute! Oh, and the scarf looks great too!
2/10/13 9:25 PM
Cute top! I like it on you with or without the scarf. Great color on you.
2/10/13 10:59 PM
Cute top! This is definitely on my list to make!
2/11/13 0:30 AM
Having just made this I am with you on your review comments - love the darker colour - I still want to make a black on when I find the right fabric
2/11/13 3:21 AM
Great top! I hope you'll make it again and detail your sizing adjustments once you get it perfected. This style looks great on you!
2/11/13 7:21 AM
Cute top! I am about to download this top. I will keep in mind your review when I get around to making this. I am endowed with really small shoulders.
2/11/13 7:23 AM
Very cute top! I think this style looks very good on you.
2/11/13 7:41 AM
I know exactly what you mean about wide necklines. The cotton knit would be a shame to waste, the scarf does look good with it :)
2/11/13 10:02 AM
Great top! I've found with the too-long sleeves, if they are made with negative ease they can be worn scrunched up and don't hang too long. Maybe that was what the pattern intended?
2/11/13 12:13 PM
I now have narrow shoulders since my swimming "career" ended...every top I make I add to the neckline an inch or so. I made this one with enough to meet up with a turtleneck collar. Lovely pattern though! And great job reworking it.
2/12/13 12:33 PM
Looks great, nice save!
2/12/13 2:17 PM
It looks great! I agree that going down one size might make you a little more comfortable with the neckline. Very flattering either way though!!
2/12/13 2:50 PM
I didn't think the neck looked bad , but it really does fit you better after your adjustment. Really pretty top too.
2/12/13 3:28 PM
Yep! Now you've nailed it! It looks so great on you...good work.
2/12/13 5:18 PM
Oh, well done. Much better!
2/13/13 1:16 AM
Cute top. Love the colour.
2/13/13 3:36 AM
I love it with the adjustment and am now wanting to do that to mine as my neck binding is also driving me nuts as it sags from being just too long when I applied it. I really like your neckline now and makes me want to change this when I make it again. Thanks for the update!
2/13/13 5:27 PM
Looks great in a solid color to show off the ruching. Glad you got the fit worked out- its a great style on you. I printed your review and stuck it in that Burda issue for when I get around to it.
2/22/13 7:35 AM