Simplicity: 4556 (Women's Tunic, Bag, and Pants)  - Type:Coordinates  | | Viewed 211 times
| 4 more reviews | Review rated Very Helpful by 1 people | | Reviewed by: | paulakiss | 
 | About paulakiss | | IN USA | | Member since: 1/14/10 | | Reviews written: 30 | | Sewing skills:Intermediate | | Favored by: 7 people | | patterns reviewed: 21 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 2/22/13 4:46 AM | | Pattern Size: | Plus-Sized | | Project Photo: |  | | Pattern Photo: | 
Simplicity Pattern Info | | Pattern Rating: | Highly Recommend | | | | Fabric: | Polyester Woven [See other projects in this fabric] | | Related Links | Click on  to add a link |
| Pattern Description:
Women's tunic, pants, and bag. I made View D, the short sleeved tunic without the novelty trim. I call this my handkerchief top because of the pointed hem.
It looks like you can only see the line drawing for the pattern here on PR, so here's a pic of the Pattern Envelope
Pattern Sizing:
26-32w
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
I think so!
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes. If this were my first or second project, the first few steps involving the front band sections might confuse me a little.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I love how the bodice is a bit fitted, especially with the ties for the back. The bottom flows really nicely and seems flattering. I think it would be a beautiful dress by lengthening the hem/bottom!
The neckline is about an inch lower than I'd like, but not risque.
Fabric Used:
Crinkle Poly with embroidered flowers and vines in silver, pink, white, and pale blue. It has a bit of a shine. It was a little too sheer for my taste so I lined it with black acetate. I don't know if this was the best lining fabric because it wrinkles so bad that the hem scrunches up and needs ironing. I keep wondering why did I use a crinkle fabric if I'm just going to have to iron it anyway? Lol. (It's not that I'm lazy. As a kid I was in charge of doing the almost DAILY ironing for my large family, so now I try to buy/sew/wear things that look nice with minimal ironing needed.)
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
Handkerchief Top Closer up
1. Increased the bodice front width by " at each side seam.
2. Cut the bodice back width " smaller at each side seam.
3. Cut the bottom front and back about 2" longer because I wanted the curved part in the middle to be long enough to cover my tummy.
4. Lining:
a. I wish I could get a good pic of the inside of the top because this was the first time I lined a garment and I'm really proud! I basically made a second top out of the acetate. It could almost be reversible!
b. I ended up taking out the sleeves completely and shortening the hem by 2" and I serged the hem to keep it from being bulky or anything.
c. I didn't use facings at all. Instead, I attached the neckline of the lining top to the main top the same way I would attach facings. Then I under stitched. I can't believe this is the first time I'm learning how to under stitch! I love how it lays perfect without having to top stitch! I like learning new techniques, but I think this one was overdue. Lol.
d. I stitched the shoulder seams and the side seams of the lining to the main top. The inside stitching of the main top faces the inside stitching of the lining top so that when turned inside out, the lining looks as finished as the outside of the main top. Does that make sense?
5. I used 1" black velvet ribbon for the tie ends instead of making the tie ends out of the fabric.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Absolutely! This is such a pretty top and it would be so quick to put together if I didn't line it! I highly recommend trying this pattern! I'm planning to make a dress out of a suede feeling poly soon!
Conclusion:
I love that I learned a couple new techniques. I'm not sure I attached the lining the right way, but it worked here... Next time I will raise the neckline by at least an inch...
This is one of my favorite tops now! I've gotten a bunch of compliments on it too!
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10 Comments
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Very cute! Great job and great review. Your first lining? Fantastic job.
2/22/13 7:41 AM
Nice!
2/22/13 8:04 AM
Lovely top
2/22/13 9:01 AM
Looks great on you! Nice job with the lining.
2/22/13 4:09 PM
It looks very nice on you!
2/22/13 4:40 PM
Thank you so much for your compliments! Looking back at my first tops years ago... wow. Those look like potatoe sacks compared to this! Yay. It's thanks to all of the things I've learned here on PR!
2/23/13 3:18 AM
You look fantastic! What a gorgeous top!
2/23/13 8:41 AM
Very pretty fabric! Looks great on you. Nice job!
2/23/13 11:47 AM
What a pretty top and such a thorough review! You did a great job!
2/23/13 11:55 AM
I overlooked this pattern but now I must revisit it. I think a dress will be beautiful
2/23/13 2:09 PM