Hilary Puff

Remember that totally 80's song "I Just Can't Get Enough"? That is how I feel about this pattern. I just completed my fourth version of view B, the one with the puffed short sleeves.

Original Review with first, second, and third versions.


Pattern Description:
"Misses' pullover tops have scoop neckline finished with bias cut binding, gathers under bust and lower front is cut on bias. View A has slit on bodice at center front seam, and gathered sleeves have shirring with elastic. View B has short gathered sleees with elastic in casing in bottom edges. Pull-on bias cut skirt has elastic in casing at waist, and two ruffles at bottom edge." I sewed View B.


Pattern Sizing:
Misses' XS -XL. I referred to my bust size and sewed a "M". I find that Kwik Sews have been generous in their sizing. I even find the "M" a tad roomy.



Fabric
Maggy London cotton shirting from EmmaOneSock. It is slightly sheer with just a tad of drape. After I learned a valuable lesson from the past, I pre-washed the fabric (hand wash using a tad of baby shampoo) and machine dried it using the delicate cycle. The fabric still looks lovely.


Were the instructions easy to follow?
As mentioned in the previous review, Kwik Sew directions are superb. Now I can refer to the diagrams as prompts for the steps in construction.


What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
*As mentioned before, I like the overall style with the puffed sleeves and the empire seam which lands below the bustline which minimizes the "mommy-to-be" look. The puffed sleeves de-emphasize the hips.

* I did not like the tendency for the banded topstitched neckline (cut on the bias of the fabric) to curl inward.

* There is still some gaping at the upper back.

*The bias piece below the bustline can be at times unflattering due to revealing some curves that I would rather be kept hidden.


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
* I added a self-lining for the upper front bodice due to the lightweight fabric. I sewed three layers of fabric together to form the shoulder seams, in which the back piece was over the entire front with their right sides together, and the self-lining was over the back piece (right side of the self-lining over the wrong side of the back).

*I shortened the upper back 1" by a horizontal fold. This eliminated the upper ripple I had in my previous tops. Next time, I plan to take the center back in further which would affect the length of the neckband.

*I skipped my usual 1" petite adjustment. Now the top does not have the tendency to "creep up" along my hips.

*I did not follow the recommended measurements for the elasticized sleeve band and went with the rule to cut "2 inches" more than your upper arm circumference, and make any adjustments from there.


Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, now that spring is just around the corner. My next adjustment is to take in the upper center back. Maybe I still should consider sewing with this pattern "a work in progress"?


Conclusion:
If you still have this fabric in your stash, give it a try!