Changing Your Spots

"Sew, Sew, Sew Your Bateau Gently Down The Seams..."

Pattern Description:
"Misses' Top, Tunic and Sash: Very loose-fitting, pullover tops A, B, tunics c, D have bateau neckline and attached hems. A: Armhole flounce. B: contrast appliques and ends of sash. C, D: side slits. D: contrast above wriist length sleeves. A, C, D: purchased belt.

I sewed view A.

Pattern Sizing:
I used BB: 8-10-12-14.
I sewed a "10" at the shoulders and neckline. For my second version,  I sewed a "12", instead of my usual "14" at the bust and sides. When Butterick meant "loose-fitting", it really meant very loose fitting!


Fabric Used:
Second version: Pre-laundered cotton woven with red and white leopard print.   First version: Remaining poly-satin from Le Wal Marche from my previous two projects. 

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?Yes, except my sleeves of my second version of this pattern ruffled "differently" due to my "little" upwards translation of the start of the armholes.


Were the instructions easy to follow?
I thought they were easy to the point that I was able to nearly get by with only the illustrations. I found it helpful to preview the entire set of instructions due to the pattern having 4 views.


What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Favorite Features
*Few pattern pieces (front, back, front facing, back facing, sleeve flounce (view A)

*The top sews more quickly, especially if you sew view "A" without the flounced sleeves.

First version (muslin).  This top was a very loose "sack".  Then now it's too fitted!  I should have stopped after taking the seams in for the second time.

*Bateau neckline



Not-so-favorite Features
*Although I like the bateau neckline, I am not fond of using the "outdated" interfaced neck facings. For my first version, I folded and topstitched the neckline, which somehow did not work, especially with the "slippery" fabric I was using. It would have probably worked if I ironed on a strip of interfacing to stabilize the neckline. However, for the second top, I used the front and neck facing. After careful understitching and some iron-pressing of the neck facing, I was able to get a sleeker neckline.

*The neckline tended to drape with a droop, which I attribute to my narrow shoulders. If I make this top again, I would do a slash and overlap below each shoulder.

*My usual 1" petite adjustment did not work for the back because of those extra wrinkles created by the additional length. It seemed that I needed to fold in an additional 1".

*I thought the location where the armholes started (designated by the marked squares which are lower for view A than the other views due to including the sleeve flounces) were quite low for me, landing below my bustline. After I raised it to the upper squares, I had to shorten the sleeve flounces to better encircle armscyes as I stitched. Now due to the placement, my flounces flared out "wildly"! For a moment, I thought I heard samba music playing!

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
*I took in the sleeve flounces approximately 1 1/2".

*I took in the back an additional 5/8" (folded the pattern piece before cutting) because I foresaw "draping" in the upper back.

*I sewed the shoulders together and sides together using French seams.

*To prevent the hems of the sleeve flounce from showing, I cut another pair of flounce pieces to act as self-facings or linings for the other pair. I sewed each facing (right sides together) to the original flounce.

*Since I was not yet able to find a belt that would coordinate well with the flounced top, I sewed a makeshift belt from the remaining fabric and secured it with a red buckle from Lucy'sFabrics.com that I purchased a few years ago.



Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I have already sewn it twice and need to make a neckline adjustment and another petite adjustment at the back waistline. I recommend this top along with my observation that the top seems to run one or two sizes larger from my experience.

Without a belt:

Conclusion:
Even with my fuss with the sleeves and the fit, I was able to sew my top in nearly two hours!