Pattern Description: Tops with neckline and sleeve variations, including gathered and cowl neckline, 3/4 and long sleeves with/without cuffs, collar option.
Pattern Sizing:6-22 I made a 10-ish, which is a size smaller than I typically start with.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Mostly. I made a few alterations, but otherwise, yes.
Were the instructions easy to follow? They looked fine. The collar attachment looked a little fiddly.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Likes: It was a simple design, which was what I was looking for for my difficult fabric. Dislikes: Ridiculous ease, even more than typical for the Big 4. This was particularly a problem in the sleeve cap. Warned by prior reviewers, I graded down 2 sixes in the cap, and then had to shave off the equivalent of an additional size before I could get it into the armhole. And chiffon eases really well, so it wasn't the fabric. The cowl is also pretty low. Since I made this out of sheer fabric, it will always be layered anyway, but the cowl was low enough to require an underlayer. The cowl facing was also pretty skimpy. I hate when facings flip out, so I added an extra two inches to the depth of the facing, but it still wasn't enough. I ended up adding a weight to keep it in place.
Fabric Used: Poly Chiffon from FabricMart.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: As mentioned, I sewed a size smaller than I typically do. I generally make an FBA, but between the bias cut and the crazy ease, it fits fine in the bust. Rather than facing the back neckline, which would have been unsightly in a sheer fabric, I bound the edge with bias. I did the longer sleeve, but did not make the buttoned tabs. Rather than hemming, I used a serger rolled hem on the sleeves and hemline.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I don't think I will sew it again. I don't hate it, but I don't really love the style for me. I really need more waist definition than this provides. It was a nice easy sew though, so if this is your style I would recommend the pattern, with the caveat that there is even more excess ease than typically found in a Big 4 pattern, particularly in the sleeve cap.
Conclusion: Meh. The pattern isn't stellar, but I do like the resulting blouse reasonably well. All in all, I think life is too short to waste it on patterns I don't love, so I won't be repeating this one. |
So purrfect- what a great looking top even if the both the fabric and pattern wouldn't be your first choice!
1/22/13 5:02 PM
Looks beautiful! Good idea with the nickel!
1/22/13 7:34 PM
I think this is a beautiful top. I love your fabric!
1/23/13 1:34 PM
OMG it is so cute. I love the fabric. It looks so much prettier than the pattern photo. You did a beautiful job particularly on the hemming. Looks beautiful.
1/23/13 3:39 PM
Pretty top!
1/23/13 6:30 PM
This is very cute!
1/25/13 5:34 PM
I think it turned out cute, but thanks for the info on the pattern.
2/4/13 12:57 PM