At first glance, I laughed at this pattern. This top didn’t even look flattering on one of the envelope models! However, this post at MadebyLaQuana sold me on it. Please DO click that link to see what this pattern can look like when done well! Often, empire-type waistlines work well for me, and I was excited to read that this top gave that feel. Comparing my measurements to the pattern, I decided to do the XXL. I can sew, honest, I can...but you sure can't tell looking at my result! Let's talk about what went right, first. What worked?The stripes are fun with this pattern. Have large upper arms? No problem. The shoulders are a bit dropped, and the sleeve fit is very generous. There are only 4 pieces, and the directions are clear and well-illustrated. What went wrong??!Let's start with the fabric. This is a yummy sweater knit I bought while visiting Quebec. It's light enough that I don't roast in my office (a real threat!), and a lovely frog green. That said, it is VERY lightweight, snags if you look at it wrong, and stretches a bit too effortlessly. Adding to the debacle, I followed the directions and used elastic to control the stretching along the shoulders and neckline. Unfortunately, the elastic is a bit too heavy for such a delicate knit, and you can see the result. I didn't know it was possible to pop a collar on a collarless shirt! Conclusions and adjustmentsAs I'm not a thumbhole person, I'll be shortening the sleeves a bit. And, I won't discard the pattern. At some point, I might try this again in a slightly heftier fabric. Another ProTip: if you match thread too closely to your fabric, it is impossible to pick out stitching - especially stretch stitching.
That said, earlier I also made a skirt out of this same exasperating, huggable fabric. I will try this top on with the matching skirt. Certainly the sweatpants I'm wearing in this picture aren't doing me any favors! Definitely not a top pick for a small-busted Apple. I won't be wearing it to any important meetings, but will happily snuggle into it outside of work. Coming soon: the whole capsule wardrobe I've been quietly hatching this last couple of months!
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AuthorOpinionated, tea-drinking Apple with aspirations of sewing the perfect wardrobe. Archives
June 2019
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