Sunday, March 18, 2012

A "Fashionable" Top--- McCall's 5855

When I saw the fabric used in this top it was "love at first sight". I loved the fashion photos and phrases on it in additon to the cool pics and colors.  I'm delighted that I found a pattern that would showcase it. This was a fun top to make and a great day to take a photo at Savannah's well known Forsythe Park despite the "curl dropping humidity"! I REALLY do completely love this top! Anywho----here's the review.


McCall Pattern 5855

Pattern Description:
Flowy tunic with waistline belt

Pattern Sizing:
I cut the size small. Although the top is very loose I was cutting it a little close in the hip area though. I looked at the bust measurement and forgot to look at the hip measurement.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
YES!!!

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Very much so! It was super quick to cut out. It says it takes an hour to sew but it took me about 3. Mainly because marking & sewing a sheer is a slightly slower process:)

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I've wanted one of these flowy tops for quite some time. I just wanted to make one with a great fabric.

Fabric Used:
Some poly blend---I think it's georgette! It pays homage to the 80's fashion and has some cool pics and fashion related words & phrases. Although a sheer, it was a DREAM to sew. I cut it out easily using my rotary cutter and it didn't slide all over the place. It even sewed well and didn't get sucked into the needle plate. Sewing with sheers is usually exasperating but not this one. Pure joy:)


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
As far as design changes go---the only one was I nixed the neckline facing. And used a different method mentioned below.
Here are a few pointers I found that worked well with my fabric and this pattern.
*I used Design Plus Superfine Bias fusible tape to stabilize the neckline. I only had it in white (wish I had black) and fused to wrong side of neckline. I turned it under and topstitched.
* I stitched & serged the shoulder seam since my fabric wasn't extremely sheer.
*I enforced the button hole using black fusible interfacing.
*I didn't have 1" bias tape so I used 1/2" and opened it up and pressed it. Voila---it became 1" and worked well. Plus I didn't have to press sides open since it already was already.
*I used tape (that wouldn't leave a residue to mark the vertical sew lines. It was a great sewing guide and peeled off easily.
*I also did a 3 thread rolled seam as the finishing the entire tunic.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Probably but there are some other patterns I want to try with sheer fabrics.
(The Forsythe Park fountain is still green from this weekend's St. Patty's Day celebration:)

Conclusion:
Wonderful pattern and a great way to showcase my fabric!!!

17 comments:

  1. I love your top, Victoria! Great job.

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  2. Yes, I love this top, too! I'm considering a sheer wrap top at the moment but I think I'll take a look at this pattern, too.

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  3. This is a perfect summer top to own. I am attracted to patterns with blue in them myself at the moment.

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  4. Great pattern for summer... You did a great job Victoria!

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  5. What a lovely top! You could not have selected a better fabric! I love it! I am going to have to get this one! Nice work!

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  6. I love that top! I've been wanting to make a flowing top as well but haven't been able to find one I really liked. Then again, I've told myself that I'm not allowed to buy any more patterns until I use some of the ones I already have, lol! Your fabric choice is gorgeous!

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  7. The top looks wonderful on you! How nice the fabric was easy to sew with too.

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  8. Love the top. Tory Burch has a Caftan version that sells for a whopping $345 and I think yours looks just as good if not better. I have a sheer in my stash I just might give it a try.

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  9. Beautiful. Great fabric choice.

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  10. I recognize that fountain! I was there a couple of weeks ago. The top looks great on you!

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  11. this worked out great with the fabric choice.

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  12. Gorgeous top and I love your backdrop!

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  13. Gorgeous, this is a great fabric choice and looks cool too!

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  14. Great top! It looks so good on you, too! I always want to make these great, loose flowing shirts, but am always afraid they'll make me look thick, but the cinching on this pattern really makes it nice and feminine.

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  15. Oh my gosh! LOVE this top! It's so tunic-y and flow-y and funky and current! Nice fabric choice!

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  16. Nice job! I have made this pattern before. I'm going to make it again tomorrow. Thanks for the tape on the stitching line tip. I'm going to try it!

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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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