Petals to the Metal

The pattern that I am reviewing shares the same number with an older NL pattern.

I just purchased this pattern recently with several Simplicities from JA's.



I liked the retro/classic style of the gathered front and raglan sleeves. I thought the simple style would nicely showcase the stunning embroidered eyelet flowers on off-white linen purchased from EmmaOneSock.com.


The pants come from New Look pattern 6733 made in a soft double knit fabric from FashionFabrics.com

Floral prints welcoming summer:

Generra's Eggshell Tunic for $195 from the Fashion Chateau website

Alfani blouse with multi-petaled flowers

Tory Burch's Stephanie tunic with large embroidered flowers for $395


Update May 31, 2009

After I sewed my first top, I thought I give this pattern another try! I used "A Surfeit of Suns" from Gorgeous Fabrics in a lightweight and nearly sheer 100% cotton and noticed that the top did not billow out as much as the first one. The only modification I made was lengthening the upper 3/4 sleeve by one inch and making an elastic casing, thus omitting the flounced cuffs.

Heather, Jorgen, and I will be visiting Sweden in a week and half (Heather's grandparents have not seen her in 5 years) so what better way to honor this beautiful country by wearing yellow and blue!

**************************************************
Original Review

Pattern Description
There were none, although I found "9 pieces" above the technical drawings and "misses' six sizes in one.

...why don't you turn me LOOSE, turn me loose, turn me loose, I gotta SEW it my way, or no way at all..

Here's my description: loose-fitting tops with neckline options: gathered with an elastic or ruffled, and sleeve options: long with elasticized cuffs, 3/4 with flounced cuffs, short sleeves with gathered hems, and sleeveless with ties at shoulder.


Size
Misses' size 6-16. I sewed a "12".


Time After Time
Does this top live up to its name, the 2 hour top?
Yes, it probably would have had taken 2 hours or less if I had not finished the seams, added a flounced cuff, created and attached a little bow, and fuss with fitting.


Fabric
Embroidered linen from Emma One Sock.


Features
*Gathered, rounded neckline

*Simple to sew

*Raglan sleeves, a diversion from setting in sleeves.
After creating the sleeve, I turned it inside out per directions, and attached the lower half of the armscye to that of the bodice, right sides together.

*Neckline and sleeve variations for a variety of looks

*Still loose-fitting after going down a size. I usually sew a "12" in the shoulders and "14" below the shoulders, but for this pattern I went down a size. The model of View A cinched her waist with a belt. Maybe the tops are meant to be billowy with the option to wear a belt.

*The upper sleeve was a bit wide to have a flounced cuff. The top would seem to look more proportionally balanced with the upper sleeve with the gathered bottom hem, without the flounced cuff.


Directions
If you can sew straight seams, hem, and gather, then you should encounter no problems following the steps and relying on the illustrations.

Safety Dance
I used a small safety pin to carefully insert the 1/4" wide elastic (length measured from a printed elastic guide, according to size). Silly me, before folding and stitching the neckline casing, forgot to trim the seams where each sleeve and neckline intersect to reduce the bulk and to facilitate threading the elastic. I undid the stitching at two corners, resume the threading of the safety pin with elastic, and restitched the corners.

Modifications
* Omtted the bias tape at the neckline. Instead, I turned 1/8" under and sewed a nearly 1/2" hem (7/16")

* Took out 3/4" in length between the bust and waist

* I shortened the elastic by about 3" to tighten the neckline, enough to prevent it from slipping off my shoulders.

* Instead of using a ready-made ribbon, I cut a strip of fabric, sewed lengthwise along the edge, right sides together, tied it into a bow and tacked it to the center front.

* I prefer to wear a belt to cinch the waist because the top is still somewhat loose. The one I am wearing in the photo is temporary. I am in search of a belt that has a flattering width and coordinates well with this top.



Conclusion
If I plan to sew this pattern again, I would add more contour to the side seams to reduce the billowy or tent-like look and make one in a drapier fabric and another in a solid, with different sleeve lengths.

I highly recommend this top if you like the gathered neckline style and have the patience to thread elastic through the neckline casing.