Flutter-Fly

From the McCall's patterns website

As I was looking through the current McCall's catalogue at JoAnn's, I noticed patterns associated with young and upcoming designers. This pattern comes from Megan Nicolay (first time I heard about her) for Generation T.

More about the designer Megan Nicolay in her Generation T website.

Description: Pullover top A, tunic B or dress C have wide neckline and unfinished edges; top A front and back extend to draped sleeves, very narrow shoulders and lower band; tunic B, dress C instructions to create woven chain detail are included, tunic B at neckline, dress C along hemline band; dress C has contrast inner hem band.

I made view A, with a few changes.

Sizing:

Misses' XS-S-M. I sewed the "M".

 Here are the directions in a nutshell:
* Sew the tiny shoulder seams (1.3 cm or 1/2") and sides of the top.

* Stitch the seam of the hem band and fold in half lengthwise with the "wrong sides together".

*Attach the hem band to the lower edge of the top, right sides together, while aligning the seam of the hemband with a side seam and the notches.

*Reinforce the tiny shoulder seam by stitching on a piece of twill tape.
*Which I am not accustomed to is leaving the neckline and the split sleeves "unfinished".

Fabric Used: Polyester knit.

Likes/Dislikes

* I like the simplicity of the view A's design which consists of a front piece (which is also used for the back) and a hem piece, both cut on a fold. However, I notice that the envelope contains two front pieces of each view, which I thought was an error, but soon realized it was for convenience in laying all the pieces needed for a particular view. It would have been more simple to just label one of the fronts "back" for clarity.

*Ideal for printed knits, especially for showcasing certain designs such as "mandalas".

*I like the hem band which gives the top a flattering silhouette. It was also easy to create and attach to the lower edge of the top, by aligning the notches.

*I did not like the appearance of this split-sleeve design on me. The drape was nice, but did not suit me at all, so I stitched the entire upper arm for a "kimono" look. Now, I like it much better, even though I feel like I will "fly like an eagle".


*The neckline is wide, and note a tad of my right bra strap that happened to "blend" with my neckline. Any more slippage of the neckline and then I would be promoting 1983's Jennifer Beal's iconic Flashdance look!

*I like the look of the bateau neckline but it is wide enough for a bra strap to peep out, especially for those with narrow shoulders. I should have raised the neckline a tad in order to have enough allowance to hem and topstitch it.

 My pants are from Simplicity 4135 that I made last year.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

*Topstitched the neckline instead of leaving it "unfinished" as the intended design.

*My usual petite adjustments at the waist (1") and upper back (3/4")

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

If I make the pullover top again, I will add elastic to pull the neckline in further. I would like to try the other views. I definitely recommend this pattern, especially for those new to knits and for anybody who wants a "quick gratification" project. It took less than an hour for me to sew!

Conclusion:

It's very simple to sew!


 Fly Girls

Wearing those "fly-away" looking sleeves....

Natalie Portman (??) modeling a BCBG Max Azria caftan, $248, Nordstroms.com.

A Parker tunic dress for $297 at SaksFifthAvenue.com

This model looks angry modeling a BCBG Max Azria silk asymmetrical top from SaksFifthAvenue.com for $158. 

Purple reigns sew-preme today!