Corda Roy

Pattern Description:
Misses' tops and skirts.

Pattern Sizing:
A(6-8-10-12) B(14-16-18-20). I sewed a "12'. I usually sew a "12" at the shoulders, tapering to a "14" at the bust and hips. I was surprised to find that the "12" was somewhat roomy at the bust and the upper back. The model on the envelope at the right encountered some issue with her bra nearly peeping out.

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

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes! The instructions were well written and the illustrations alongside them were adequately clear for sewists like myself to rely on them almost completely.



Favorite Features
* I like the two vertical darts on each front and the four on the back, which give the top a flattering silhouette on my figure.

*I like the scoop neck

* I like the fact that it is easy to sew.

* The retro 40's/late 80's/early 90's look. I remember having a favorite top with similar styling in the early 90's.


Not-so-favorite features
* I would feel more comfortable if the neckline was a tad higher. If I wore this to work, I would definitely wear a tank underneath, just in case.

* Due to a combination of the material I was using and other factors, it was somewhat of a challenge to get the neckline to stay flat so that the facing would not show. Understitching was necessary per the instructions.

*It was a challenge to create the pleat at sleeve caps between the two markings, again due to the material I was working with. I hand gathered the top edge and hand basted the sleeves to the armscye, before machine stitching.


Fabric Used:
Stretch corduroy from Fabrics.com


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
* Omitted the pleat at the lower edge of the sleeve due to a possibility that it be too fitted for me.

*Ignored the pleat (between two circles ) on the sleeve cap, and the other above the lower hem of the sleeve

*I sewed the facing to the wrong side of the sleeve (correct side of facing to wrong side of sleeve edge) and topstitched the sleeve facing to the visible side, to avoid hand stitching the facing from the inside.

* I used four nearly transparent buttons.


Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Maybe, after a few adjustments, and with different fabric. The one I used made this suitable for a shirt/jacket.

Conclusion:
This is actually the first piece that I sewed with a Butterick's See and Sew. I did not find the pattern much easier than Butterick's "very easy" pattern. However, the directions are easy to follow and nicely written.