Long and Winding Bow

I originally intended to the short-sleeved version of this blouse. I kept it sleeveless instead:


I discovered that just after sewing this top that coincidentally, according to Rolling Stone, that 9-09-09 is the official release date for the digital remaster of all the Beatles studio albums.

My ultimate favorite Beatles' song. My dad still has his two precious vinyl copies of A Hard Day's Night soundtrack, a household favorite when I was in grade school.

Pattern Description
"Loose fitted, pullover blouses A, B, C, D have self or contrast collar with tie ends, sleeveless or sleeves and stitched hem; blouse B has short sleeves with stay; blouse C has contrast collar collar and ie ends, bleow elbow sleeves wigth contrast cuffs; blouse D has long sleeves with placket opening and buttoned cuffs."

Size
Misses' 6-8-10-12-14. I sewed a "12" at the shoulders and armscyes and a "14" at the bust and hips.





Fabric
"Beatles Faces" cotton fabric from Fabric.com. The last time I checked there were only 5 yards left. I received this fabric with other goodies yesterday.

Favorite Features
* Tie front
* Sleeve variations (long, short, sleeveless)
* Easy to make (if you do not fiddle with fitting issues)


Not-so Favorite Features
* I should have gone with my first instinct and cut a "12" at the hips. McCall's definitely meant "loose" without the "fitted" for its pattern description! After sewing the side seams, the blouse made me look frumpy. The top was tent-like and needed some shaping. I took in the side seams and that seemed not to be adequate. There was that unflattering billowing in front of my tummy.

* At first inspection of the front piece, I was deterred by the strong possibility of the neckline being low on me. I anticipated that the center front slit (created by the center front facing that was stitched along a "V" and trimmed close to the stitching) would further lower the neckline, although it would be covered by the bow.

*The wide tie cut along the bias. When folded in half along the fold line, the tie would be 4 1/2" wide and the collar, formed between the two large circles after sewing and turning the tie inside out, would be bulky. I think the tie would look better if the width was decreased by 1". The advantage to creating a tie this wide is that was very easy to place my hand in the tie and turn it inside out.


Direction
I Should Have Sewn Better
The directions were fine and did some steps on my own. The collar is sewn to the neckline before the side seams. From force of habit, I sewed the seams before attaching the collar.


Modifications
Try to sew it my way...
* Raised the neckline 1" at the center front tapering to 0" at the shoulders. I found that I had to adjust the tie, sewing beyond the large circles before turning inside out.

* Took in the center back 1/2". I could have taken another 1/2".

* Added vertical darts (3/8" widest at the center tapering to 0" below bust and above bottom hem)

* Took in the side seams an additional 3/8"

* Made a 1" petite adjustment between the bust and hips

* Top stitched arm band to outside instead of inside

* Used French seams at the sides

* Tucked neckband 1" under before topstitching the neckband close to neck seam


Conclusion
I Saw Her Sewing There

For what seemed an easy top took longer due to fiddling with the side seams and adding front darts for a more fitted look. This top did not work "straight out of the envelope" for me, but at least I know what to expect when making the short-sleeved version. The pictures on the envelope were misleading to me. I suggest making a muslin before using ritzy fabric. Putting aside my fitting experiences with this pattern, it is a simple (no buttons, zippers...) top to sew.