McCalls 6359

<b>Pattern Description: </b>This is an EASY pattern for three different top variations from McCalls. 

<b>Pattern Sizing:</b>

This is a multi-sized pattern with A5 having sizes 6 to 14 in one envelope. I choose a 12 for view C. 

<b>Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?</b>  ....well, if you subtract the modifications I made, yes, the original shape of the garment is there. 

<b>Were the instructions easy to follow?</b>

Instructions were super easy, almost too easy, if you know what I mean.  I had to make some modifications as nothing screams made by me like a turned under and stitched neckband and armhole edges--maybe that is just me. 

<b>What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?</b>

I really liked the style of A and actually constructed that top first, but it was so very loose fitting and bare (yes, I know it is supposed to be bare in the back, but it felt uncomfortably so) that I just couldn't wear it and feel great about it, so I cut it apart and decided on view C instead.  I didn't have white stretch lace, so I went with the same fabric as the bodice front and back.  More on design changes below. 

View C fit much more to my liking. 

<b>Fabric Used:</b>

I used a cheap cotton knit from Hancock.  I love the color and who doesn't love polka-dots? I wouldn't recommend the fabric because it wasn't the best quality. 



<b>Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:</b>

Here goes on changes!  I had fully intended to create a 'plain' garment, i.e., no embellishments but the screen prints I ordered from Marcy Tilton arrived while I was at Hancocks so I just had to play with them!  I started with the purple paint and the large screen and placed six of those down the front in a cascading pattern. 

After that screen, I wanted to soften it up a bit with the stencil I purchased for one dollar at Hancock.  I used two colors for that one: yellow and green.  The dots on the stencil I used the same purple color I used for the large screen. 

Well, this is when trouble began.  I started counting the number of large swirls I so carefully screened and realized there were SIX, not five, not seven.  Everyone knows an odd number is more pleasing, so I grabbed the wet foam brush I used for the purple and added another swirl.  All was great in the universe until I lifted the screen and realized the brush wasn't just a little wet, it was really wet an the paint ran in a big way.  I was just about to wad it up when DH arrived and checked out my issue and suggested I piece in a coordinating piece of fabric and cut the mistake out.  Now, why didn't I think of that?  I used his suggestion and I liked it!  So, I carried on. 

Armhole and neckline edges are finished on the pattern envelope using bias tape.  I hate using bias tape on knits so I cut strips on the bias and added those but left about 1/2 inch so you can see it on the right side.  On the neckline I decided to use the white and polka-dots layering the two strips on top of one another.  I like the result until I noticed it wasn't perfectly even so I just trimmed the white close to neckline and it is just barely peeking out.  I had the very cute lime green buttons and decided I just HAD to use them, so they ended up at the neckline as well. 

I also used 5/8 inch strips of interfacing in the hemline as this knit is pretty thin and stretches out easily.  It helped keep the hemline in check when I top stitched it.

Oh, and the most important modification I made was to the yoke back: I redrew the shape of the yoke so I had more coverage in back.  If you look at the envelope, the gal wearing view C has roughly 1/2 of her back showing, I extended the narrowest portion of the yoke by about 1.5 inches on each side. 

I also did my normal sway back alteration, on for this top, instead of 1/2 inch, I used 1.5 inches.   

<b>Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?</b>

I may sew this again.  If one of my two DDs wants one I will sew it up for them.  I may create it again for myself.   

<b>Conclusion: </b>

I had a lot of fun with this top and it will be just in time for me to wear to watch my son graduate from boot camp in Texas.  I am sure this top will keep me cool--at least I hope so!

Thanks for reading,

Sue