FO and Pattern Review: Butterick 5495

I LOVE this top.  Like I mentioned in my last post, I LOVE animal print.  I made this top from a deep stash animal print slinky that I've been *cherishing* and couldn't figure out what was "worthy" of sewing.  That my friends is a mistake.  There will always be more fabric to sew...the only thing I regret about this top is why I've waited so long to stitch it up.

Photo credit:  butterick.mccall.com

Pattern Review:  Butterick 5495

Pattern Description: According to the Butterick website:  MISSES' TOP: Loose-fitting tops A, B, C, D with front drape gathered into loop, dropped shoulder, seam details and stitched hems. A, B: sleeveless. C, D: short or long kimono type sleeves.  I made view C.

Photo credit:  butterick.mccall.com

Pattern Sizing: 8-14, 16-22

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, I believe it does.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes.  I had to closely pay attention to which way I was pinning the front pieces together, but other than that, it was easy.  I have to give Kudos to Palmer/Pletsch as the instructions are very detailed.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  This is a very flattering pattern for most figure types.  It didn't take me long to stitch up and I really like the results.

Fabric Used: animal print poly/lycra slinky fabric from deep stash. So deep, I don't even know where I got it or when!

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  I didn't make any pattern alterations.  The amount of gathering at the bust along with my fabric choice accommodates my D cup bust without any difficulty.

I also used Steam-a-Seam to hem the bottom edge, the sleeve area as well as the self-facing at the centre front.  Slinky is notorious for slip-sliding away, and stretching out.  The Steam-a-Seam made hemming a breeze.

I used a very narrow zig-zag stitch (length 3.0, width 1.5) for the seams before finishing them with the serger (differential feed set at 2 for any seams, and 1.5 for any single edges).

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  I may sew it again, but I'm not sure if I need more than one of these at a time in my wardrobe.  Similarly to the other tops I've recently sewn, it has very distinctive lines.  I may sew one in black, or maybe lengthen it to dress length for a little black dress (LBD).

Conclusion:  This is another great top for my wardrobe.  Being the big fan of animal print that I am, how could I go wrong?  ;)

Barely Living on the Wild Side!

Those who know me, know I love sparkly and shiny things and especially love animal prints.  This review features a restrained animal print, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the finished object.

Pattern Review:  McCalls 6513

Photo credit:  Mccallpattern.mccall.com

Pattern Description: According to McCall's website: MISSES' TOPS: Close-fitting, pullover tops have gathered front and narrow hem. B,C sleeves and C,D back collar: elasticized.Designed for lightweight to medium weight moderate stretch knits.

This is a Palmer/Pletsch pattern, which includes a special section in the instructions for fitting.  The pattern pieces also have details on it for the various fitting lines (i.e. the full bust adjustment is already marked for you to use without having to draft it yourself.)

I made view C.

Photo credit:  Mccallpattern.mccall.com

Pattern Sizing:  6-14, 14-22

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  Yes.  It certainly does.

Were the instructions easy to follow?  The instructions were very detailed.  I quickly reviewed the fitting instructions, but didn't really use them.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  I love the fit of this pattern.  I also really liked the detailed fitting instructions and the adjustment lines on the pattern pieces.  I also like that I can wear this wrap top without a camisole underneath.  I have already worn this top to work and there was no need for adjustment at the bust area due to "wardrobe malfunction." 

The shirring at the sleeves is a pretty, feminine detail.

Fabric Used:  I used a lightweight jersey of unknown content (likely a rayon/poly blend) that is currently available at Fabricland (Fall 2013).  The zebra stripes are almost sheer.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  I made a full bust adjustment to accommodate my D cup bust.  I also did a sway back adjustment of about 1" at the waistline of the centre back.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I will be making this top again.  The wrap is very flattering to my figure type, and it feels SO cozy to me.  I already have a fabric picked out. 

Conclusion:  This is a GREAT wrap top pattern.  It is very flattering and there is no need for any type of adjusting during the day, and you don't have to wear a camisole underneath as required by so many wrap tops.  

FO and Pattern Review: Butterick 5497

Last week in my sewing frenzy, I finished another top, this one from Butterick 5497.  As it turns out, I think I'm in love with this top - I've worn it twice already and plan to wear it again tomorrow.  I'm travelling this week, and it makes a fantastic travel top.  The print makes any "dirt" or spills very difficult to see (and I'm a bit of a klutz at times so this is perfect for me!) and the fabric is fantastic - no wrinkling and very easy care.

On with the review!  Butterick 5497

Photo credit:  Butterick.mccall.com

Pattern Description:  According to the Butterick website:  MISSES' TOP: Tops A, B, C, loose-fitting at bust, have short or long dolman sleeves, gathered upper section, shoulder casings with elastic and stitched hems. A, B: lapped upper back sections have neck binding. C: upper front and back cut on crossgrain, shading may occur.  I made view A.

Pattern Sizing: 6-12, 14-20

Photo credit:  Butterick.mccall.com

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  Yes, it certainly does.

Were the instructions easy to follow?  Yes, they were.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  I like the detail with the self-fabric binding at the back neck.  It is a neat fashion detail but it also is functional to hold the front and back v-neck style to keep from sliding off your shoulders.

Fabric Used:  A graphic pattern ITY medium weight knit.  I *think* I purchased this at my local Fabricland last summer (summer 2012).

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I made this directly out of the envelope:  I have a D cup bust and decided not to make any alterations to the front bust.  With the amount of gathers that were both on the upper shoulder and under the bust I had enough fabric to allow for the D cup.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  This is again a pretty distinctive pattern and I'm not really sure I need another one just like this with all the other cool patterns out there.  That being said, I think I may sew the long sleeve version as it is both easy and comfortable.  The jewel neckline would make a fabulous backdrop for some of the gorgeous chunky jewelry that I often wear.

Conclusion:  Another great top pattern!

FO and Pattern Review: Simplicity 2153

Another FO!  Just in time for our 30*+ weather we've had today.  The humidex makes it feel like 40*+.  This after a week of temperatures falling below 10* at night.  I don't know what's up with Mother Nature, but I'm loving the last shot at summer!

Anyways...enough of the weather update.  I'm sure what you are really looking for is a sewing update.  And, as luck would have it, I have one!

Pattern Review:  Simplicity 2153

I *LOVE* this jacket.  

Sorry...tilty picture.  Need to sort out the tripod/camera issue.  The sooner the better, apparently!!

Pattern Description:  According to Simplicity's website:  Misses' anorak with sleeve and collar variations.  I would also add that the jackets are unlined, and that there are pocket variations as well. There is also a back yoke and the shoulder seam is dropped forward on to the jacket front.  I made View E, which has the cinched collar and pocket variations, and used the sleeves from view D, with elastic casings at the hems.

Pattern Sizing: 6-14, and 16-24.  I made size 14, which is the size I normally wear.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  Yes, I would say it does.

Were the instructions easy to follow?  Yes, I would say they were.  I didn't often refer to them though - the jacket was pretty straight forward to sew.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  I really like the collar and the pocket variations on this view.  This jacket is unlined, I wish I had taken the time to draft and sew the lining.  Next time I will do that. 

Fabric used:  A crinkled polyester cross-dyed taffeta

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:   I made this right out of the envelope.  Like I said above, next time I will take the time to include a lining.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  Yes, I am thinking of sewing this again, maybe in a lightweight faux suede or lightweight mini-wale corduroy for fall.

  

Conclusion:  A great jacket pattern.  Though I didn't include the lining (and since this is the third time that I have mentioned that I didn't include it, I must be disappointed with that fact!!), it makes a really nice lightweight windbreaker type jacket. The fit is nice, not too boxy, particularly because of the casing at the waist.  

I also used elastic cording for the cinched areas (collar, waist and pockets), which I'm not 100% certain I like - it's a bit stiff.  Or as my friend says, "Elastic erection."  Next time I'll use a polyester cording or some type of ribbon or something, but this is what I had on hand while I was sewing (and I didn't have to run to the fabric store...).

Despite the no-lining issue, I really really like this jacket.  I've already worn it a few times and I really feel good in it.

FO and Pattern Review: Simplicity 1916

Yes, see!!!  I told you - Return of Mojo, and a disproportionate number of FOs given my sewing over the past few months.  So...lucky readers, two blog posts in a row!  I present to you another FO review - this one for Simplicity 1916.

Pattern Description: According to the website and pattern envelope:  Misses knit tops with sleeve variations.  I would also add that there are patterns for a wrap top, and an empire waistline type top. Variations for a flower embellishment and a drape are also included.

Pattern Sizing: 6-14, and 16-24.  I made size 14.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, it did, with one exception - the fabric I chose was a busy print and the gathering/embellishment on the left side front doesn't show that well.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  I would caution to be very careful about how you transfer the pattern markings.  I had to unpick the left side front embellishment and left front wrap gathered area because I lined everything up to the wrong marking.  I only used little nips into the fabric instead of transferring markings...not the best way of doing it, I learned!

Fabric Used: printed polyester knit that I've had in my stash forever!  I made a top from this fabric before and learned the hard way to be cognisant about pattern placement and this particular print (the previous top ended up with one of the circles as a bulls-eye over one of my breasts, and I didn't wear it much as a result).

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I did a 1/2" swayback adjustment at the centre back, and sewed up 3/8" seam allowances on the side seams by the bust to increase the size a little (cheater instead of doing a FBA aka full bust adjustment).

I used self-fabric binding to finish the top edges of the fronts, as well as at the armholes.  I just serged it to the edges left it instead of tacking it down as the pattern instructs.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I might be sewing this again.  I would like a version with the longer sleeves, but I have quite a few other wrap top patterns to try, so we'll see if it happens.  I do quite like the drape version as well.

Conclusion: this made a nice summer top that incorporates my chosen wardrobe colours (red, black and white).

**A while back I mentioned that I was hoping to introduce photographs of myself actually wearing the clothing I create, but alas, my tripod has gone the way of the landfill.  The legs wouldn't stay where I put them anymore and I didn't want to risk damaging my camera.  Maybe sometime soon you will actually get to see pictures of me wearing the clothes.  A new tripod is already on my Christmas list...

FO and Pattern Review: McCalls 6326

I've been sewing like a maniac in the past few weeks.  I don't know exactly what it is that has gotten me back to sewing, but my Mojo has returned with a vengeance!!  I'm VERY happy about this recent development as my wardrobe was starting to look dismal at best (my clothes were all starting to look worn out, a lot didn't fit any more, and the remainder I was just starting to feel really MEH about...).  Since the Return of Mojo, I've been trying to squeeze a little bit of sewing in every day.  Now, that doesn't *always* work, but it does greatly increase my rate of FOs! (finished objects).

M6326 Front

Pattern Description: The pattern envelope and McCall's website are not very descriptive: MISSES' TOPS: Close-fitting tops. That being said, the tops are close fitting. I made View C. The pattern is out of print, but still available on McCall's website at the time of writing this review.

photo credit:  Mccallpattern.mccall.com

Photo credit: Mccallpattern.mccall.com

Pattern Sizing: 4-12, and 14-20. I used a size 12 and added extra seam allowance to the side seams.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Most definitely.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, though I had to be very careful about how I put the twist into the neck portion of the top. I was sewing late at night and apparently was easily confused. I ended up putting the top onto my dress form and pinning it there in order to get the twist properly figured out.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I really like the way this pattern fits, and that it is an unusual piece of clothing.

Fabric Used: ITY jersey with a black/white/grey print

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I stitched up the centre front about 2 inches higher than the pattern recommended in order to avoid a display of extensive cleavage.

It is a close fitting top as the pattern says, so I would ensure to add 1" to the side seams when cutting, and then baste the side seams together prior to stitching.

Because I was using ITY knit, which seemed slithery when I was cutting it out and is really light weight (but feels like heaven on!), I added lightweight boning at the centre back of the neck to keep the fabric from bunching up too much, as well as at the upper side seams, again in order to keep the fabric from drooping at that spot.

M6326 Centre Front

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I'm not sure if I would sew this view again, as the top is pretty distinctive and a girl really only needs one of these in her wardrobe at a time, but I will likely sew another one of the views.  And the more that I look at it, maybe I need one of these in plain black.  And one in plain red.

Conclusion: This is a very distinctive top that can be used for summer or evening wear.

M6326 Back