Here's Heather in my classroom, coloring while I was setting up for the new school year. She was very excited to start kindergarten. During kindergarten orientation on July 10, she was very eager to meet her teacher and classroom. However, the children and parents would be able to meet their teachers until the following Monday on the 14th between 1 and 2 pm. When we walked the kindergarteners-to-be to their jungle gym or play area, Heather immediately dashed to the slide and did not turn back to say even a little "bye". When I returned after the parent orientation with the principal, I had a little difficulty whisking her away from the jungle gym!
Oh, Pebbles and Wilma, I'm home!After seeing and "flipping" over Shesflipped very cute top, I just had to make one and another!
Pattern Description
Women's twist front top with a spaghetti-style ties at the back of the neck, sleeve variations (sleeveless, short sleeve, three-quarters), an optional flounce along the center front seam below the bust, and an optional modesty panel if you are conscious about the low-neckline. I sewed the short sleeved version.
Size
Multi-sized child to adult. After making Heather's top (correlates to a girls' size "5") and seeing how easy it went together, I could not help but make mine right afterwards!
Fabric
Girly giraffe print in polyester/lycra jersey from Gorgeous Fabrics.
Directions
They are available on the pattern sheet and downloadable from the Jalie site. They seemed clear enough for sewists of any level. I relied on the illustrations when I thought the directions were insufficient or unclear.
The front piece (I cut 2 for the left side and right side)is curved below the armscye tapering into a large rectangular piece (panhandle-looking) that when cut, extends to near the entire width of fabric folded in half lengthwise. Referring to the illustrations before the twist step, there was what I call a "jump" notch located on the the neckline. I figured that this is the point where the neckline finishing stops for each front side.
The twist front is very simple to sew once I figured out that from the inside of the blouse, the left wrong side's under bust seam was created by taking the bottom curve and folding it into a sideways "U" or loop, matching the notches, and sewing right sides together, leaving a 2 cm opening from the center for the other front side to pass through. The under bust seam of the other front piece is sewn the same way, stopping as close to the twist as possible. The front center seam is formed by sewing the two fronts together below the twist. This is clear from the printable directions.
Likes
* I worked with only three pieces: the front, back, and the puffed short sleeve.
* Easy to make once I figured out how to create the seams under the bust and the twist front.
* The 3 sleeve options to get a variety of looks.
* The front neckline on Heather's version was very appropriate
* The neckline did not become wavy or gape after folding under the raw edge and made tiny zig zag stitches.
* Great style for any figure!
Dislikes
* I omitted the thin back tie since I did not care for it.
* The v-neck came about 1" lower then what I feel comfortable with. I wore a camisole underneath.
Modifications
*I redrafted the low neckline at the back by raising it about 3/4" to eliminate the need for the back ties.
*I raised the neckline by about 3/8". I wanted to raise it much more. However, I noticed that I would have to raise the under bust seam more to compensate later for the twist portion that would inevitably and naturally by construction pull down the neckline. Since I did not want the under-seam bust to be any higher, I could have left the neckline as is. Now I understand why Jalie includes the optional "modesty" panel.
*I omitted the bottom sleeve binding for the puffed sleeve version. I prefer the natural drape of the sleeves.
Would you recommend this pattern?
I definitely recommend this top which really comes together easily and quickly! The top can go from casual to dressy depending on what type of fabric you use and could easily be drafted to become a dress. Since this top does not take much material to make, it would be an ideal project for knit left over from previous projects.
Conclusion
Heather liked this twist top a lot(her first one) that she wore this top on her first day of kindergarten! Now, we have a new household favorite !Jalie earns a high mark for this pattern!
Seeing spots and a bit of stripes!
