Living in And-Dottica

Yeah! After having this pattern for months now, I finally decided to make it!


Pattern Description
"Misses' pullover bias tunic or top". I sewed View A, but with changes.

Sizes
Misses' 8-18. I sewed a "12" instead of a "14" after reading reviews that the sizing runs a bit large. I followed Krisine Kay's recommendation to cut a size based on the finished garment's measurements and glad that I did!

Fabric used
Poly charmeuse from Voguefabricsonline.com. This is the left over fabric from Heather's retro dress made last May.




Favorite Features
* Flattering v-neckline
* The built-in mock camisole or inset.
* Sleeve and length versatility
* Pullover style (no need for zippers!)
* Sans the back ties, I worked with only four pattern pieces for view A (bodice front, bodice back, sleeve, front and back of lower bodice or skirt). View B has 3 (front and back skirt, bodice front with built-in sleeve, bodice back with built-in sleeve)


Not-So-Favorite Features
* Inset originally came really low
* Back ties
* Tunic length not flattering for my figure


Directions
They were sufficient with good illustrations, especially for attaching the straps and the mock camisole or inset piece. It would have been easy to attach the inset in the wrong direction if I had not paid attention closely to the illustration, which showed the right side of the inset placed over the wrong side of the V-neck bodice (from the inside of the blouse) with the straps coming from the shoulders stitched to the marked circles at the corners of the inset.

There is some discontinuity of directions in reference to view A, then to view B and to both ("continue as follows for both views"). On the last page, there are the directions for the side seams and sleeves for view A, changing to the underarm seams for view B, and concluding with directions for both views for sewing the side seams of front and back of the lower bodice or skirt, hemming the bottom edge and attaching to the top of the bodice to create the waistline seam. I thought the last set of very brief directions would seem somewhat mysterious for a beginner sewist. They seemed hastily written!


Modifications
* Shortened the sleeves to about 5 cm in-seam. I could have selected view B, the kimono short-sleeved version (maybe next time), but opted for the slightly puffy sleeve cap that went with the long sleeves that were elastically gathered above the wrists.

* Omitted the back ties.

* Instead of pieces of ribbon as suggested, I cut out straps from the same fabric, 4 cm in width.

*I reduced the straps of the inset by one size. Next time if I plan to make this again, I'll shorten it by 1 1/2".

* Shortened the tunic length to an 1 1/2" above the cutting line for view "B", the top/blouse length. I did this to more in balance with the upper bodice. The tunic length (long enough on me to be a mini dress!!!!) of the lower bodice or skirt portion of the blouse placed more emphasis BELOW the bust, giving me that maternity look. I should have (got carried away with the scissors, heh heh) kept the View B's marked length to elongate my torso. I'll just call this some feature to emphasize my shoulder width.

* I edge-stitched the bottom for an undulating effect and also to reduce sewing time by eliminating the pressing and hemming what seems like a circular skirt, cut on the bias. I have some flashbacks from hemming Heather's dress with the circular skirt months earlier.


Conclusion
I definitely recommend this top if you want something stylish and easy to sew. Be on the lookout for the sizing.