Thursday, December 30, 2010

Butterick 5562---The top that had me drooling....

All I can say is I absolutely love, love, love this top. I know the ruched and puffy sleeves are back in style and although I was a little skeptical about the pattern I decided to give it a chance. I'm so happy I did because I love this top!!! It's one of my favorites for the year!!! I wanted to get this review done before the end of the year so that meant no camera man. So here's the top on my beloved dressform. It's so much prettier on. You can wear it with a belt or without. Plus it's so comfortable. I'll post a picture of me in it soon.....

12/31/10 Pic update:




(Front view w/ belt. It's actually just as cute w/o it. The sleeves are definitely the "attention- getters".)

Pattern Description:
Close fitting pullover tops with various sleeve styles. I made view B which had the elasticized sleeves.

Pattern Sizing:
I cut the small.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Oh yes! Definitely! The pictures I took on my dressform doesn't really do the top justice!
(Side view of sleeve)


(Entire sleeve view)

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Very much so!

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I'm learning more and more that it doesn't take a million pattern pieces to create a great garment. In this case there are only 3 and they yielded a spectacular top! I love the ruched sleeve and it's extra long length.

Fabric Used:
I used a royal blue stable knit (only stretched crosswise) and is somewhat thick like a ponte de roma or double knit. In my opinion a slightly thicker knit in this case helped the ruched sleeves retain their shape. The color of this knit is spectacularly dark and rich. The flash from some of my pics definitely distorted this.
(Pic of blouse in natural light w/o flash. Isn't the color just spectacular)


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I did the following:

1. Stabilized the shoulder seam with clear elastic (I do this with all of my knits).
2. I cut the size small but since my knit isn't so stretchy I was sure to reduce the seam allowance from 5/8" to 3/8" from the waist down to give me just a little extra room.
3. I accidentally used the elastic guide for top A instead of the one intended for this blouse (view B). The elastic guide for top A was slightly longer which means my ruching isn't as tight as originally intended or as pronounced. I'm happy I made the mistake because I love the results. I'll make future versions this way as well.
4. I used clear elastic. There was no way in the world that I would use some white braided elastic. The clear is a little tougher to stretch but it worked wonders.
5. As always I inserted my sleeve in flat and then sewed from the sleeve down the side seams.
(View of clear elastic on lower part of sleeve)

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes! I'm debating on doing it in a pattern or another bold solid color.

Conclusion:
If you're not afraid of a puffy ruched sleeve then this is the top for you. I really love this pattern. It went together quick and yielded stellar results. I'm tempted to convert this pattern into a dress:)

28 comments:

  1. Yes, I'm tempted by this pattern, too. Happy New Year to you! Thanks for providing me with inspiration this year.

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  2. I could SOOOOOOOO see that as a dress!

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  3. That's really cute! I had to verify the pattern number. I have M6164 on in my stack of "next to sew..."

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  4. Gorgeous top. Terrific review. Do I have time to make this????????

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  5. JoanneM, if you start right now you can have it done in less than 4 hours (and that includes interruptions). This top is really quick. I finished it over the course of 1 1/2 days since I was busy watching 2 toddlers and doing much housework:)

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  6. I love this top, but I'm scared that my shoulders are too tall/wide for the ruching? I might try it on a muslin anyway.

    By the way, I bought a piece of knit print ITY jersey to do Vogue 1020 after seeing your stunning version! I have a meeting to go to in January and I hope to get it made up by then.

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  7. What a great looking knit top! Love the sleeves and the color in the last photo is beautiful.

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  8. Great looking top.... love the sleeves!

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  9. It's great - so wearable, but still unusual. I want to see it on!

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  10. I just finished view D (the draped collar view) and am working on another. I agree that this is incredibly quick to sew and produces a spectacular top. Yours is lovely - I can see why you're thrilled with it.

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  11. Great top Victoria! I'm like you were, not sure if I really like rouching, but this top really makes me re-think that! Beautiful work on it! The color is really beautiful too...I can't wait to see a picture of you in it!

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  12. I'm eager to try this one since I could defintiely use the shoulder emphasis. Love that color, too.

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  13. I'm really really hoping this is the pattern I bought last week.....

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  14. I love your top! It had me at the ruching!

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  15. OOOO... so pretty! The ruching makes it so special... Happy New Year, Victoria!

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  16. Very cute! I know exactly what you mean, sometimes the simplest looking pattern gives you the best results! Great top :)

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  17. The style, the colour, the execution... all perfect! I bet it looks great on you.

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  18. The sleeves have it! Very pretty top. Enjoy wearing that beauty!

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  19. Oh, I love your top too. Happy New Year!

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  20. Woo! Super cute! I am currently working on this same pattern, but with the big ruched collar. The sleeves on this view are really great, and I can see making that and the short sleeve one too. Gorgeous color on you!

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  21. This looks just fabulous on you!

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  22. Victoria, this is an awesome shirt, so stylish!

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  23. I love it! Great job! I just finished the shawl-collared top from this pattern and I really love it. I think I'll end up making lots of the short-sleeved one like the one you made come summer time!

    Here's my shawl-collared one:
    http://monkeybeanmomma.blogspot.com/2011/01/comfy-baggy-goodnessbutterick-5562.html

    I love your blog - just signed up to follow you, and I'm looking forward to getting some sewing inspiration from you!

    Terri

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and for following me on my 10,000 Hour Sewing Challenge:)

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