Lighting McSheen






It's amazing how together light and angle can affect the appearance of a subject! Despite wearing a black knit shirt underneath, this top now looks a bit risque and naughty for my taste and possibly looks like something a good mommy and a woman past her 30's wear should not wear. I guess I am becoming conservative as time goes on. Now I know I how fabric and style can appear differently in front of a camera under various lighting and taken from certain angles!

Pattern Description:
Knit tops with gathered front and sleeve variations.


Pattern Sizing:
Misses' 6-16


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes, except for the fabric and fit.


Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes, assuming that you are familiar with methods such as gathering and stabilizing shoulder seams. They were brief and easy to follow.


What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I liked the pattern because it is very easy to sew (top of front bodice, bottom of front bodice, back of bodice, and sleeve pieces) and has a timeless style. The neckline came down to an appropriate depth for me. The only thing I did not like was the given method to finish the neckline.


Fabric
Checkered printed spandex-type knit for my first version. I would achieve a different fit with a drapier knit.


Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:

*Sizing
I sewed a "10" at the shoulders, sleeveheads, and armholes, tapering to a "14" at the bust and hips. A "12" would have been for me at the shoulders.

*Finishing the neckline
According to the instructions, a band of the same fabric was sewn at the raw edge and turned inward to make a narrow seam. Instead, I used a piece of 1/4" elastic at the neckline for my sister's top (first version) which kept the neckline intact. For my top, I used 3 strips (3/4" wide) of mesh cut on the bias: one for the left front, the second for the right front, and the third for the back of the neckline. I cut each mesh strip about 1 1/4" shorter than the length of each section of the neckline. Then I slightly stretched, pinned and sewed each mesh strip 1/4" from the raw edge (visible or right side of fabric) and folded inward to sew a narrow seam.

*V-Shaped neckline
This is something I first did to my sister's top (the true first version of this top, in a smaller size)to further stabilize the neckline at the "v" point and to reduce the bunching made by the elastic. In desperation to save my sister's top, I snipped about 1 1/2" past the "v" point and join the edges together to make a little vertical seam at the center of the bust. Wow! The top looked much better! Then I noticed that one of my RTW knit tops had the same detail, except that the vertical seam was much smaller, about 3/8" !

So for my top, I snipped about 1/2" past the "v" point. I saw a little sweetheart neckline formed as a result of this, but that was fine with me.

*Sleeves
I sewed the sleeves in flat, instead of setting them in as instructed. Then I sewed the sleeve seams tapering off to the side seams of the top.


Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, but in a drapier knit, for a more modest and palatable look. If I wear my current top in public, I would wear it underneath a blazer.

I definitely recommend this pattern not only because it is quick and easy to sew but it is very versatile! Making a muslin would help to figure out if the neckline is at the preferred depth. You could get an entire set of unique looking tops by changing the fabric, style of sleeves, and adding decorative trim!

Conclusion
This is a definitely a very easy pattern and sews up quickly! I like the "arched" empire waist which makes the top more interesting!