Chasing Rainbows

I have been on a woven cotton sewing spree. I sewed this before my HP princess seamed shirt.




Pattern Description:
Misses' tunics and dresses

Pattern Sizing:
Misses' 10-22. I sewed a "12" at the shoulders and a "14" everwhere else.

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



Fabric Used
Another 100% cotton from Fabric.com. Those special deals advertised in their email newsletters are just too enticing...

Were the instructions easy to follow?
They were fine and I did not have problems with them. Some cf the construction details are reminiscent of my Kwik Sew 3062 scoop neck top in terms of the the slight gathers below the front bodice and the bias skirt. The back of Kwik Sew 3062, however, is cut as one piece.

The only tricky part for me was to attach the front band. If I were not careful, it would have been a front facing. I made sure I attach the notched edge to the front edge of the bodice, right sides together. I did not have any problems attaching the front and back facing. After turning the facings to the inside, I handstitched the edges to the inside seams, instead of stitching in the ditch to avoid misaligned stitches to show on the outside.

Adjusting the crossover portion of the neckline might have caused the notches to not to line up precisely when attaching the skirt portion. I aligned the bodice and skirt at the side seams and made very minor adjustments in the gathers at the lower edges of the bodice before sewing the bodice and skirt together. I did not encounter the skirt stretching that was cut on the bias. I can easily imagine having issues with fabric that are usually tricky to deal with. Wendlesue's review addresses this issue very well.

Favorite Features
*Top/dress options
*Sleeve options
*V-neck or buttoned front options
*Slight gathering below the shoulders and below the bust.

Not-so-favorite Features

* Potentially revealing neckline.
To avoid undergarments from showing or simply a free peep show, I made sure that I crossed the right side of the bodice over the left at a suitable point. I tried the bodice and pinned the cross-over several times, making sure I achieved a comfortable fit and an acceptable neckline, before basting it in place.

*Bias skirt, especially if it is fitted, below the bodice is not flattering on me due to potentialy revealing things that I like to be hidden, like the non-muscular portions of my abs, if you know what I mean.


Fabric Used:
Cotton from Fabric.com

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
*1" petite adjustment

*3/4" horizontal tuck in the back, 3" below the shoulder seam

*Due to fabric constraints, I made short sleeves, gathered the lower edges, and attached bands (right or visible side of band to wrong side of sleeve) that were originally cut from the cuffs for the long sleeves with added length of 1 1/4". Then I turned the cuff to the outside, pressed it in half, pressed under the raw edge and topstitched 1/8" from the edge.

*I thought the top was unproportionately long for me. I shortened the skirt portion 2".

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, it is not a difficult top to show. I spent most of the time handstitching the band's facing to the inside.

Conclusion
This is a versatile and stylish top that can be suitable for various occasions. I can also easily envision it in a knit.