The dolman sleeve is very popular right now, but tops with this sleeve tend to lack waist definition, which is so not a good look for me. This one has the sleeve stop at the empire line and is fitted through the waist. Much more flattering to this busty gal.
The pattern is Burda 7625. It was a pretty easy pattern to sew, despite the interesting details. I also love that Burda actually writes patterns for knits in a way that makes sense. The Big 4 seems to think that knits and wovens can be sewn the same way. Crazy talk. This pattern included instructions for stabilizing the shoulders with fusible tape and the back empire line with elastic. Very nice. The instructions made good sense and the diagrams were helpful. Overall an excellent pattern. The only thing I thought was odd was the front tab attachment. The instructions have you machine stitch one side, then hand sew the other side. I don't know about you, but my hand sewing looks very little like my machine sewing. I sewed on both sides by machine. It required some careful fabric positioning, but it worked.
One of the things I love about this pattern is the back. The lower panel is darted for a very close fit, but without looking too tight. I'm generally not a fan of darts in a knit top, but these are great.
From the side, you can see how it follows the curve of my back, but without revealing any untoward lumps and bumps. I actually didn't make any alterations for my full bust. The front gathers allow for a lot of extra space up there, so it fits well without the FBA, but I don't have as many gathers as the model on the pattern envelope. The fabric is a thinnish ITY from FFC. It's actually a pretty true red, but I couldn't get my camera to capture it well. It's reading as pink, but it really isn't pink at all.
The only alterations that I made were to lengthen the top 3 inches, and to raise the neckline. Oh, Burda and those necklines... Fortunately, this is easily done without any pattern adjustments. Center front of the upper bodice is seamed and self faced. for a higher neckline, you just have to seam it higher! I think this pattern is a winner, and I'm thinking I may make it up again in a grey rayon jersey that I've been hoarding.
