After losing 22 lbs and 2 dress sizes, here I am, without holding my stomach in and wearing one of my "new" favorite tops, purchased at Kohl's. I like the overall style with the "draped" neck, that I wanted to replicate it with McCall's 6963.
I purchased this pattern again due to liking the draft of the cowl neck and thought I would it another try with a new size.
McCall's 6963 is a “Close-fitting, pullover tops have draped front neckline variations (high or low cowl), narrow hem on back neckline and stitched hems. A: armhole bands”. I used a Misses: 8-10-12-14-16. I sewed a "10" everywhere. Originally I sewed a “12” at the shoulders, neckline, and armscyes tapering to a “14” elsewhere.
Favorite, Not-So-Favorite :
My favorite features are the options for the two levels of drape and sleeve lengths (sleeveless, short sleeve, long sleeve). My not-so-favorite feature is after my typical adjustments in my earlier version, the top required more adjustments. In other words, there was still extra fabric in the length that would work better with a longer torso.
Previous version from 2014:
At Radio City Music Hall, October 1, 2018. Yes, my daughter is actually taller than me (less evident in the photo taken by my husband).
This was staged....
Now, for my "birds and flowers" inspirations for the fabric I used in my new top.
From The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Wish we had more time to stay a few hours longer to see more of the interesting exhibits!)
"Mada Primavesi" by Gustav Klimt, 1912.
"Women with a Parrot" by Gustave Corbet (1866), "modesty" version.
Fabric
I purchased this stretch cotton fabric from Hobby Lobby, being the first time I purchased fabric there. I usually purchase on-line and on occasion at Yardage Town or JoAnn's. It's very cheerful. I guess my mind has been on "birds and flowers". Maybe I was inspired by that famous Woodstock photo with the dove and the guitar or the photos of paintings that I just looked from our recent visit to New York City.
Back of my top:
Directions:
The first 3 pages are devoted to tissue-fitting the pattern for the most common adjustments (at the marked alteration lines): broad back, high round back, low round back, full bust, full hips, sway/flat back, forward shoulder, and full arms. The sewing directions seem user- friendly like those found in a typical Kwik Sew pattern: each step is supplied with a diagram. For instance, in step #8, page 5, “turn front self facing to outside along foldline (over back), matching notches. Stitch entire shoulder seam…”, is made more clear with the diagram showing the placement of the front facing with respect to the shoulder seam and the back neckline.
Modifications/Alterations :
For my new version, I performed my typical 1" petite adjustment at the waist and taking from the 1/2" center back.
For my second and third version, while keeping the draped neckline of this pattern intact, I redrafted the front and back pieces using my already altered Sewaholic Renfrew for below the armscyes.
Conclusion:
Previous version: I like the draft of the neckline, but more alterations need to be done to achieve my desired fit. The pattern is very helpful in terms of addressing and detailing common alterations. I did not want to reinvent something if I have something that already works for me.
Update November 11, 2018 : I wonder if McCall's redrafted the pattern. I did not have to make a major overhaul as I did 4 years ago.
By the way, we finally got the chance to visit Mood's Fabric in New York City a month ago. If only we had more time. But at least we were there! Maybe next time...
