Spool On Rouge with Vogue 8915

I used lots of red thread on a Vogue 8914 top and a dress.
"Misses' top, dress, belt, and pants: Pullover top or dress has self belt. Tapered pants have elasticized waist.   The pattern comes in Xsm-Sml-Med and Lrg-XL-XXL.   I sewed a medium and realized that this pattern has excessive ease. I sewed a small for my second version in a dress and it became more fitted, especially after increasing the side seams. I am not quite sure about it. 




The instructions were sufficient, especially if you have sewn garments that require only two main pattern pieces, the front and the back.

This is a dress by Akiko (found on myhabit.com) whose style is close to the pattern sketches:

Favorite and Not-So-Favorite Features
I like that the top was easy to sew and that the top required approximately 3/4 of a yard of fabric. My dislikes are that I experienced "gaposis" at the neckline (front and back) and the belt is needed to cinch the top or dress due to the "sack"-like silhouette. I sized down to a "S" for my second version (dress). 


Fabric Used:
For my first version, 3/4 of a yard of fabric remnant of a previous project (three years?), a cotton woven with slight stretch. 

 

For my second version, a silk/charmeuse. I feel like some 1960's flight attendant. Fabric print placement was tricky due to the random configurations of red blocks.  I should have made something else with this fabric.

Modifications:

*For modesty, I raised the armscye, by stitching 1" above the marked circle (I could have gone a tad higher) or the start of the side seam.

Still the lower portion of the armhole is low :

*For the first version, made two small darts at the neckline to address the gaping or "draping" neckline. Otherwise, any more ease, and I could wear it in an updated "flashdance" style as in this Krizia dress:

*Used a bias strip in the same fabric to finish the neckline, instead of turning under the raw edges and top-stitching a narrow hem as directed.

*Made my typical petite adjustment at the waistline

* Narrowed the upper back 1/2" from the center (total 1" across) tapering to 0" above the waistline

*For my first version (the top), I created a "split" sleeve by not sewing the shoulder seam in its entirety. I made a narrow hem at the edges before hemming the lower edges of the sleeves. 

*Due to the fraying nature of the silk (dress version), I sewed the sides in French seams.

Future Plans/Recommendations
I plan to sew another top (not a dress) from this pattern.  This pattern is ideal to showcase fabric prints and for beginners. I recommend using fabric remnants just under a yard to determine if the pattern needs to be altered to your fitting preferences.

Conclusion:
I prefer this pattern as a top. 

Alternative look:
Instead of a belt, an elastized waistline is an option, as in this Michael Kors top. The contrasting fabric at the neckline and sleeve hems looks sleek.