Vogue 8497 Marcy Tilton Top

So, I can't seem to stay away from the Tilton girls, so here is my latest creation from Marcy.  I am beginning to believe that yes, I was meant to be a Tilton and so I am hoping either Katherine or Marcy will adopt me!

I choose to create 8497 view B.  I just love the lines of the top.  I am in need of some autumn and winter tops and this one fit the bill. 

Here is a line drawing of each view.

My original plan was to use view A, but as I started to lay out the pattern, I felt B was better for my fabric choice.

This is a multi-sized pattern: AA ranges 6 to 12 and EE ranges from 14 to 20

Here is a description from the back of the pattern envelope: Loose-fitting pullover tops have neckline, hem, sleeve, and hemline variations.  A, B, decorative stitching C, side panels (no side seams).

 

So my original fabric I purchased from none other than Marcy Tilton.  I have been eyeing this fabric for a while and finally broke down and purchased some of it.  How fun is a geometric print?  I love it.  The colors are awesome for fall and winter, so I snapped some of it up.  As I began laying this out, I quickly discovered that an entire top of this print would take away from the design details, so I rushed to our newly expanded and improved Joanns.  They had the perfect poly/cotton/spandex blend in basic black to set off the print.  I also decided I needed a transition from the print to stark black so I found a pumpkin-ish colored knit from my stash  that I purchased from Treadle Yard Goods in Minneapolis.  DH thinks the top is 'really different' but in a good sort of way. 

 

Pattern instructions and design is just great.  Directions are super easy to follow.  Drafting is accurate and the fit is just what you'd expect in a garment such as this.  I love that there are  no darts on this top.  Sometimes I get tired of darts in a t-shirt. 

 

I made some minor modifications to the design based on the fabric choices I made.  I added the pumpkin colored ruffle on the curved edges, both front and back.  I added this ruffle just because I felt I needed another color on the top.  I decided to use my ruffler attachment for this job and it was super easy.  I cut 1 1/2 inch strips of the fabric 44 inches wide and ruffled the entire length.  After ruffling, I basted it to the curved edge and then attached the contrast fabric.  I didn't like how my fabric laid on the curve with the raw edges showing, so I removed the contrast or the geometric print and laid it with right side together.  I serged the edges together and turn the geometric print back.  After that step, I followed the pattern directions and top stitched.   I know it is okay to leave raw edges exposed in knits, but I am still getting over my fear of doing this.  It is easier for me if the fabric is heavier as I seem to have more faith in it.  So consequently I couldn't leave the neck edge raw, so I folded it over and stitched.  As a result, the neckline is very narrow, only about 1/4 inch instead of about 1 inch. 

 

Other than those very minor design changes, the made two other alterations.  The first was to take in the side seams about 1/2 inch on each side.  My fabric was pretty stretchy so fit your top before you automatically take any fabric off the sides.      

 

I also lengthened the sleeves so they were long.  I like wearing long sleeves in the winter and to have the option for pushing my sleeves up as it is ually too warm for me.   

 

All in all, this is a great pattern.  I think there are so many variations that you can use this pattern at least 10 times before tiring of it.  To prove my point, I already cut out View C., which is radically different from A or B.  I am excited to see how it turns out. 

 

Try this pattern.  I believe you will have great results! 

Sue