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Simplicity: 4076 (Misses Knit Tops) - Type:Dresses

Viewed 701 times

159 more reviews

Review rated Helpful by 2 people Very Helpful by 7 people

Reviewed by:

Heidi Ho


	About Heidi Ho
	CA USA
	Member since: 2/2/08
	Reviews written: 25
	Sewing skills:Intermediate
	Favored by: 16 people
	patterns reviewed: 25
	Bio: more...

Posted on:

9/20/09 10:54 PM

Last Updated:

9/27/09 10:19 PM

Project Photo:

Pattern Photo:

Simplicity Pattern Info

Pattern Rating:

Highly Recommend

See other patterns in this category: Vests Tops

Available for sale on PR: $14.95 (See envelope)

Current Tags : Twist Top knit

Fabric:

Supplex ® [See other projects in this fabric]

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9/27/09
I am editing this review to add my latest version of this famous and favorite top pattern which has evolved into a dress. My original version was inspired by the Patagonia Bandha dress (see link below). I got this brown Supplex to make one pretty close to the brown one they have available (with my variations described below). Since I had enough brown to do it with sleeves and really didn't want to totally rip off Patagonia becuase I think they are a great company, I decided that a version with sleeves would be awesome for fall in this brown!!!! I have to say that I really love how this turned out. Rarely do I get this excited about something I make but this one really made me happy.

I used the same pattern I developed for the version in the original review (see below for details). For the sleeves I traced the cap of the size 10 sleeve that came in this pattern but used the bottom of a favorite Kwik Sew pattern
KS 2694
Here are views of this dress:
Dress Front
Dress Back
Front close up

This fabric is super comfortable too!!

Pattern Description: Twist top made into a dress

Pattern Sizing: Misses 8 - 16, I started with a 10/12

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Not really since I turned it into a dress. The twist/tie front is the same. I got my inspiration for this dress from Patagonia.
Bandha Dress
My Dress
The main difference is that the Patagonia version is wider at the hem. I preferred a less flair at the hemline.
Were the instructions easy to follow? I followed the instructions for the twist tie part and they were easy. I used a size 10 as my base for this but only a 3/8 " seam allowance which makes it between a 10 and a 12 (see my review of the top I made using this pattern for the changes I made to the neckline etc). I meshed it with a T-dress pattern that I have from the mid 1970s. In order to do this and give it a better shape I added a back seam which adds some shaping to the lower back and eliminates the back neck gaposis that so many have noted with this pattern.
Dress Back
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the flattering style and the fact that it is so easy to make. I have gotten rid of my dislikes which were the back neck gaposis and I narrowed up the neckline.

Fabric Used: High performance supplex from Fabric.com ( the same type of fabric used for the Patagonia Bandha dress).

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I made the shoulders wider and as I said above I turned it into a dress.
Neckline Closeup
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I am planning to make this again in a chocolate brown supplex but I think for fall I will add 3/4 sleeves but probably not the bell sleeves in the pattern. I think I will taper them since bell sleeves don't work too well under jackets or coats (and I tend to get them in my food when I'm eating ha ha)
Conclusion: Fun pattern to play around with. I like my variation a lot better than the original and also better than the Patagonia dress.

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Reader Comments
geeklite	9/20/09	I always find it inspiring to see people take ideas from ready to wear and tweak patterns to create their own versions. Yours is excellent. Thanks for the info about solving the back neck gaposis.
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michalklimer	9/20/09	it looks great, and the color is just amazing!
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homejewel	9/21/09	What a great dress. I love your improvements. I have this twist top cut out - just need to find time to sew it.
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Raye Ann	9/21/09	awesome! you really made a great version of the Patagonia dress. I have this on my to-do list. i plan on using my fav- the Jalie twist top pattern to do the same! i am sure the supplex makes this very comfortable and practical to wear.
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Amanda S.	9/21/09	Beautiful color on you! I love the dress. I still need to tackle this pattern for it's cute twist...
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donna mel	9/21/09	i like this twist pattern SO much better as a dress. thank you! and i love your idea of giving the back a seam to help with the shape. this pattern was sitting my 'loser' pile and now its been saved.
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im2melo4u	9/21/09	This pattern looks great as a dress and the color is beautiful!
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nellc	9/21/09	Great looking dress, I love the colour.
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barbcl	9/21/09	Your dress is so pretty. Thanks for the review, especially the addition of the back seam.
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pammieh	9/22/09	looks great on you!!
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Aixoise	9/28/09	What a great dress. Fits like a charm. Love to see creative uses of basic patterns. Terrific job!
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kimmielovesparis	9/28/09	Wow!
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DreinPA	9/28/09	Heidi, Where did you order the supplex from? Great pattern morph!
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Barbara V	9/28/09	Beautiful dresses and lovely on you.
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AnneMarie60	9/28/09	Beautiful! Very inspiring.
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sewtime	9/28/09	Beautiful dress!!
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4u2cme	9/28/09	Great dress and it flatters your body.
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Elke	9/28/09	I love how you turned this twist top into a fabulous dress...looks just like the inspiration dress!
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Raye Ann	9/29/09	Heidi Ho- fantastic! i love the brown version and plan to do the same dress:) hope mine looks as great as yours does!
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mrs quickly	10/3/09	Great knock off! The latest issue of the Vogue sewing mag has an article on turning your favoriet tee into dress.
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