Simplicity 3536

Sometimes when I am in the middle of a complicated project, I like to take a break and whip up something quick.

This is Simplicity 3536. It's so OOP that it isn't even on Simplicity's website anymore. This was actually one of the first patterns that I bought when I was coming back to fashion sewing. I'm not sure why it took me so long to make it up, but I sure am glad I finally did.  I think this red stretch velvet (from Joann) is perfect for the holidays!

One of the features that I like about this pattern is the rouching, which you can see a bit better in the back view. There is elastic rouching at both side seams as well as the top and bottom of the sleeve at the hem. The directions instruct you to stitch on elastic while stretching, which I think is an excellent way to do it, but I decided to just shirr with elastic in the bobbin. It worked well, but I noticed that if I shirred through the seam allowance I lost a lot of elasticity, so my sleeve rouching is a little uneven.

Here is an inside view where you can see my favorite feature of this pattern - the facing for the cowl. Look at how deep it is! It comes all the way to the underbust line. It is cut on, so there is no seam.

It is secured into the armscye and side seams. That baby isn't going anywhere. It always makes me crazy when my cowl facing flips out. I love how secure this is. I think this is an adaptation I will do on future cowl neck tops.

The holidays are crazy, so I probably won't get a chance to post again until they have passed, but I hope that your holiday season is enjoyable and that you have plenty of stitching time!