I recently purchased a shirt at Nordstrom Rack which I LOVE (see it here in a previous post of mine) and wanted to duplicate. But then, I spotted this pattern at Jo-Ann last week and snatched it up in a jiffy for $1.99 (love that). I know a lot of people probably think I draft all my own patterns…um, no. Ain’t nobody got time for that. I mean, some people do. But I don’t. I’m too busy teaching everyone else to do it. Ha!
So, I buy patterns. No, I hoard them. I love them. Indie patterns, Big 4 patterns, vintage patterns, you name it. I. LOVE. PATTERNS.
And I especially love this one.
I’m not a fan of the whole pointing-to-the-crotch hem on views E, D and C, but I LOVE the high-low hem of view A and the subtle flare of E, D and C. I plan to combine different elements of these tops to get lots of looks. Call the high-low thing a trend if you want, or call it a Utah fad…I call it really effing flattering.
No seriously, I am a high-low fan. A HIGH-LOW FAN, I TELL YOU! Not so much on skirts though. Okay maybe sometimes…
Anyway, let me tell you about this pattern: Simplicity 1463.
Instructions
I didn’t really read them. I’m sure they’re fine though – there aren’t a whole lot of ways you can screw this one up.
Pattern Pieces
Great. Fit together well, lots of notches (MIE), etc.
Sizing/Fit
I made a size small (10-12) and, as you guys know, I’m 5’6″, 120-ish pounds with a 34″ bust, 27-29″ waist and 37″ hips. It’s perfect in my opinion, but there might be too much ease for some tastes. I absolutely LOVE the fit, and this is exactly how I wanted it to look.
Modifications I Made
None.
Things I’d Change Next Time
Nothing. Oh except that I’d cut like 20 of them at once.
Fabric Choice
I used an airy, lightweight sweater knit that had been taunting me for several months. I bought it in January at the Michael Levine Loft in Los Angeles, and I had no idea what to do with it or how to sew it. I just knew I wanted it…and you know, that it was $2.99/pound (or something like that). It was surprisingly easy-to-sew, and the bottom hem worked fine with my coverstitch machine. Only problem was, I couldn’t really unpick stitches after making, um, a few mistakes (like sewing the cuffs on upside-down so the seams are showing, doh). It has very little recovery and like a thousand percent stretch, so I did have to be careful with it while sewing. Oh, and looser knits like this one WILL fray, so serging is essential.
Wearability
Yes. I will wear this every day. It’s nice to throw on over a tank for a little coverage without overheating me in the 90+ degree temps. And I feel all model-off-duty wearing it. You know, like I belong on the “She wore it right!” page at the back of a magazine. I have no idea if I AM actually wearing it right, but I feel like I am.
Overall Impression
Awesome, awesome pattern…and exactly what I was looking for. This one will absolutely go into regular rotation.
What do you think? Do you like my slouchy, high-low top as much as I do?! Have you sewn with sweater knit? Do you love it/hate it/have tips?
laurenydahl
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