Moulin Ruched

Pattern Description:
Misses' knit tops with sleeve options and the folowing style options: a gathered front, a faux wrap, or a cross-over detail. I sewed view B, a faux wrap top with an asymmetrical twist formed by the looping of left and right overlay.

Pattern Sizing:
Misses 6-8-10-12-14. I sewed a 10 at the shoulders, a 12 at the armscye, and a 14 elsewhere. 

Fabric Used:
A  poly-lycra knit (as described) from fabric.com.  Due to its texture it felt more like a rayon knit.





Instructions
Overall the directions and illustrations were fine, except those for the front facing and facing for the back neckline (a small rectangular piece). I should have trusted my intuition and use a reliable method to finish the neckline.

I was able to succesfully create the asymmetrical twist with the two overlay pieces.

First version:

Honestly, I prefer my asymmetrical ruched (no overlays) knit top from a Burda WOF January 2009 pattern, #110:

"Penned" Photos
I borrowed my daughter's pen featuring penguin Badtz Maru (a Sanrio character) to "pen-point" the looping detail.

The seam on the right overlay is formed by joining the lower end and an edge with the matching notch and dots.

The left overlay is inserted through the loop of the right overlay.

The looped left and right overlay pieces as a whole is basted onto the front piece.

An asymmetrical twist top by Classiques Entier for $118, at Nordstroms.com

Lynn Ritchie Ambrosia knit top from Bloomingdale's, spring 2010, $108 

Likes/Dislikes of the Pattern
*I like the faux wrap style formed by the asymmetrical twist of the overlay pieces. 

*The fit of the top is satisfactory after my usual adjustments, but I thought that the overlay was constrictive or tight. Extending the length of each overlay by a reasonable amount would most likely "loosen" the "wrap". However, even if both overlays were slightly lengthened, then they would seem to "interrupt" or surpass the lower hem of the front of the top. It would seem to make sense to increase each overlay just past the loop, while keeping the length of each overlay intact. I welcome suggestions.

*Switching the overlays would hopefully de-emphasize one side of my bust and "balance" my asymmetric figure.

*What I am not to fond of are the front facing that nearly lines the entire front and the "awkward" back facing. As mentioned by PR reviewers Elizabeth Made This and MNBarb, the front facing would come in handy for sheer knits. I should have gone with my first intuition to either bind or topstitch the neckline. What would be the easiest way to bind a "V"-neck?

I did a search and found this:  A PDF tutorial for a V-Neck binding

Modifications/alterations:
*I performed my petite adjusments at the usual upper back and at the waistline.

*Added 1" to the lower edge.

I plan to use this pattern again, but without the overlays, especially after being now familiar with this view.  This pattern is a nice deal - a variety of looks from one envelope. 


Second version, July 3, 2011, without the overlays, and sleeves from view "E". I curved the "V" point or vertex to make an elongated "U".