Monday, April 18, 2011

Simplicity 2418

I picked up this pattern several days ago, and have been completely obsessed with it. I've got approximately 14,679,435 other projects in the queue, but this one had to be sewn.
And I'm quite glad I sewed it! It is so much lovelier than I thought it would be, and my expectations were pretty high.
The pattern is quite simple. It is a bias cut tunic with a shoulder yoke. The front shoulders are pleated into the yoke and the neckline forms a small cowl in front, which is hemmed rather than faced.
The back is gathered into the yoke. The yoke is topstiched. The hems are simple narrow hems. The fabric I chose, a silk charmeuse, did make this project a tiny bit more challenging, particularly as the front and back is bias cut. My walking foot was a godsend!  It was still a fairly simple project. Cutting it out was the worst part, construction only took about and hour and a half. Although I think this will be a versatile pattern, it definitely benefits from a fabric with lots of drape. I think it would be spectacular in lawn or voile, georgette or a soft knit (in which I'd cut it on grain rather than on the bias).
The bit of a cowl is particularly nice. It isn't faced, but it does stay in place pretty well. As you can see it is finished with a narrow hem, so there is a chance that the wrong side of your fabric could peek out on occasion. I didn't have this happen much while wearing it, and we took our pictures on quite a windy day. It stayed put surprisingly well.
With this type of sleeve, I always worry about bra coverage. I stitched the side seams as marked on the pattern and the coverage is good.
As far as fit goes, I sewed a size 10 in front and a 12 for the back and yoke, which fits quite well. (ETA: This is my way of doing a cheater broad back adjustment.)  I did not need an FBA, but the cut is generous and the bias cut gives a bit of wiggle room there. I did shorten it by 2 inches as I plan to wear it untucked. Overall, I'm very happy and will definitely be making it again. We'll just add that to the list... First I have some bellbottoms to make!

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

The top looks lovely! I'm curious about you using different sizes for the front an back. Is it a way of not doing an FBA?

Uta said...

Wow, you look amazing! And the blouse is seriously cute. I love this color on you!

Kristy Chan said...

That blue is a lovely colour, and it looks really good with white pants and your red shoes.

I can understand that the charmeuse would be shifty to sew with, but it does have great drape and lustre.

Bruna Cristina said...

This blouse is beautiful!!!
Kisses!!!

http://munamo.blogspot.com/

gwensews said...

I love garments with back interest. This blouse is beautiful. You should enjoy wearing it, and strutting your stuff!

Jane M said...

The color is so wonderful on you and the drape of this neckline is so feminine and pretty. Beautiful!

Sarah C said...

That color is gorgeous on you! I love this pattern. I have made it previously. Your version turned out fantastic!

Shari said...

The colour and style look great on you..very pretty!

Anonymous said...

That is really soft and beautiful, now I have another pattern to add to my must buy list :)

Pam said...

I absolutely love this shirt - the neckline is divine. Great job - I absolutely love it on you. And, love those "cowlish" necklines!

wendy said...

beautiful! i love that color :)

Sam Rose said...

Wow, that is a really beautiful shirt. Great job! Digging the shades too.

Anonymous said...

I love this! This pattern is in my queue right now, but I have to wait until we move. How does this top work with nursing?

Julia said...

You look great in this top. The color and style are perfect on you.

knitmachinequeen (KMQ) said...

What Julia said. Fabulous!

Marjie said...

It's really pretty; I love that color! I just made my first 2 cowl necked tops, too, and was really pleased with them!

Louiz said...

You look so glamorous in your top. Looks fabulous!

The Slapdash Sewist said...

Love it! That color is great on you, and I love the way you've styled it with the bright flats.

MushyWear said...

I just love a top like this that doesn't require a lot of fuss to make but has serious style and flair. Beautiful color on you too!

angie.a said...

This is so pretty! LOVE the red shoes and the skirt too. :)

AllisonC said...

This is the kind of top I love to wear in the summer. Yours looks great, I think you can make a bunch of these in different fabrics and not get tired of them.

Michelle said...

I have that pattern in the "to do box", too. It looks great!!!

BConky said...

You look beautiful in the color. The top looks wonderful on you.

Mary Nanna said...

You really suit that colour and it is a really beautiful one too - I am looking at my version of that top on my ironing board and thinking, hmmm, yes maybe today I'll wear my one!

SEWN said...

Beautiful top! The color is great on you.