***Review revised 8/15/2011***

Here’s yet another cute knit top for the summer.

I made view B in turquiose, and then made the long sleeve version A in raspberry for the fall.  I’m not so sure about the one-shoulder versions only because I’ve yet to find a strapless bra I enjoy wearing for more than 20 seconds. 

The most annoying thing about this pattern is the sizing. Even after cutting a 12 I still found there was too much fabric across the front.  This made it difficult to bend forward at all without flashing the world!  Read on below for how I altered the pattern to remove 2″ across the front.

The blue top above is actually a redo in size 12.  I’d first made it in a 14 and found it was just too big.  Even though according to my measurements I should have made an 18. Grrrr….

Below, size 14 and without pattern alterations.  This top actually does NOT fit even as well as it looks here.  I’ve got quite a bit of fabric pinned out under the shrug section.  

Here’s my review of the pattern:

Pattern Description: Misses tops with faux shrug in short or long sleeves. One-shoulder tops in sleeveless or single flutter sleeve variation.

Pattern Sizing:6,8,10,12,14

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow? They’re fine except for attaching the shrug section to the sleeves and top. Then it can be confusing. The best thing to do is carefully make all markings on your fabric and then read the directions slowly and carefully. (I sewed it all wrong once, then got it right the second time around.)

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the cute, trendy look, but not the incorrect sizing.  I like how quickly the pattern goes together, but think there’s too much fabric across the front for modesty.

Fabric Used:  A cotton jersey knit.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I cut a 12 instead of the 18 my measurements called for. I also removed 2″ from across the front.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Now that I’ve got the fitting issues settled, I’ve made it again in the long sleeve version.  Two of this pattern is probably enough for me.

Conclusion: A cute top, but runs very large.  Take your time with the directions and you’ll be fine!

Here’s how I altered the pattern to remove some of the width across the front.

First, fold down the facing section of pattern piece #1 (Front) and treat as one layer.  Around the center of the fold make two marks 1 inch apart.

Use a straight edge to mark a cut parallel to the center front along one of the marks.  Go about 3/4 of the way down the pattern.

Bring the cut edge to the 1 inch mark and adhere.  I like to use repositionable adhesive to do this, but you can just tape it in place.  Flip the pattern over to make the overlap on the facing section as well.

That’s it, you’ve taken 2″ out of the front of the top.  Hope you find this helpful.

Happy sewing!

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