Tess Sew-lation

It's hard to "believe" that McCall's 2254 came out the same year when Cher's "auto-tuned" disco-esque song became a big hit.

From 1999: a fitted knit top with sleeve (long or short raglan) and neckline options (sweetheart or slight scoop). 

It was interesting to see that Cher wore a tube top and a long-sleeved shrug at the Late Night with David Letterman on November 1998.

YT video clip of Cher singing "Believe" at Late Night with David Letterman, Nov. 1998

The pattern that I used was sized 6-8-10 (small).  I had hoped to find a "medium" somewhere on-line.  Since this pattern seemed to be rare, I settled for what I was able to find. 

First version in stretch velour that I do not recommend with this pattern. This top is not flattering on me, and it will not be worn out of the house after this photo.

 

Favorite Features:

*The directions and illustrations were easily deciphirable.

*I like that the mock shrug/bolero contains a separate pattern piece unlike Burda Style's #129 from the January 2011 issue.  It is attached the same way with its lower edge attached to the upper bodice.  The sleeves are raglan instead of the "set-in" type.

Burda Style pattern #129 knit top from January 2010 issue

My second version of Burda Style pattern #129

Not-so-favorite Features
*I did not encounter much extra fabric below the back of my neck and upper back as in Burda Style's #129.

* The neckline contained some extra ease seemed to a size or two larger than expected. I would suggest grading down a size, or taking in the front neckline when attaching it to the mock shrug/bolero section.

*Since I anticipated that this style is form-fitting, I added an extra seam allowance (5/8") to the waist/hips section. 

                                               

Second version in poly knit:

Alterations/Modifications:

*Took in the upper bodice (neckline) 3/4"

*Petite adjustment (1") at the waistline

*Stabilized the neckline (above the bust) by stitching elastic (1/8" width, 2" shorter than the length of the neckline joining the two mock shrug/bolero sections) close to the edge on the wrong side, turning under and topstitch.

Current patterns with the mock shrug/bolero style:

Butterick 5525

McCall's 6284

Kwik Sew 3756

Jalie 2794

McCall's 2254 is overall simple to sew and looks fine in a solid or print.   On a precautionary note, since I am finding that the necklines of this and similar tops have excess ease as drafted, it helps to make a muslin before delving into the nicer fabric.   Although this pattern's age is more than a decade, this classic style has stood the test for time.

Flashback Fun, July 2008: Wearing Jalie 2794 knit tops, Heather and I being silly.