The Wonderfulness of Simple (aka my Holiday Top)

I'm not entirely sure how this pattern ended up in my stash, because it's, shall we say, not a style I'm normally attracted to.  But when I was looking for a simple pattern for a woven holiday top, this was the only pattern I had that filled the bill, so I'm glad I have it!

New Look 6808:

I whipped up a quick muslin of View A, with the 3/4 sleeves, and found out that it really is what they claim:  easy!   And the fit is quite nice...I may need to take a closer look at some other New Look patterns :)   I did do my usual alterations - forward/sloping/narrow shoulders, and sizing out at the waist and hips.   And I discovered a new adjustment for a gaping neckline, detailed here in my previous post.  

The pattern calls for a side zipper, but I really questioned just how helpful that would be, and definitely did NOT want to install a zip in my fabric choice, so I was relieved when just a tiny bit of contortionist wiggling allowed me to get the muslin on.   I ended up not adding the waistline darts in the final, because of my fabric choice.

Unknown fabric content (Note:  MUST keep better records!)
Note #2:  KC has this fabric as well, and she came to the rescue with her notes, indicating that the fabric is a rayon and/or cotton blend with some nylon.
The base is white, with black circles & squares woven in,
and sheer nylon cutouts throughout.
The left side of the pic shows the fabric laying on a piece of white fabric; it's laying on top of a black piece on the right side.
LOVE this fabric!

I changed a few other construction details because of the sheer bits in the fabric, and because it is very fray-prone.   I made a bias binding for the neckline, French seams at the shoulders, and doubled the fold at the hemline.  I really should have done French seams at the sides as well, but I wanted to have the option to shape, if necessary.   Shoulda coulda woulda.....  I had already discovered that this fabric WILL fray over time, and those loose threads WILL show through the sheer bits in places like the hem/facing at the sleeve end.   I opted to let it be one of those "it is what it is" cases, rather than unpick.  Occasionally time restraints trump perfectionism.

I will try this pattern again, and use the darts if I want a more fitted look.

Enough words....here are the results:

The more Casual Look:

Dressier, and Tucked In:

What I like about this pattern:  Very nice fit that's adjustable with the darts, my favorite sleeve length, with a little touch of uniqueness at the sleeve hem, a neckline that works well for me, and everything is simple enough to be altered very easily.   Definitely a winner!

What I like about the top I made:   The fabric!!!  LOVE this fabric!  It can be dressed up or down, and I think this particular combo of white/black & shading is good on me, which is REALLY nice to find, because I love black and white, but often have a hard time finding shades that love me.

Lessons Learned:  

• A gaping neckline can be fixed pretty easily - Yay!
• If you know your fabric is fray prone, plan on french seams or binding the SA's ahead of time.  Just do it already.
• A pattern with simple lines can be golden - sometimes you need to look beyond what's on the pattern envelope - the cheesy fabric prints & cutesy ruffles and bows - and see the great bones that hold it all together :)  (Note:  Please don't take offense if you DO like cheesy fabric prints & ruffles & bows....eye of the beholder & all that...   And truth is, I DO like those things on some people; just not me) ;-)

Now, I'm off to do a bit of gift sewing...but first, I'll leave y'all with this:

Happy Holiday Crafting, for those of you who are not taking it easy in the next few weeks....