This pattern is one of two patterns that I’m trying this month in an attempt to master a style that alludes me: the surplice top/wrap dress. To this day I have not been able to find a dress or top, be it in RTW or a sewing pattern, that fits my bust. The gaping, the droopiness, the excess fabric – I shall conquer it this month. And it’s so far so good with Simplicity 2369.
This tunic is the start of a conscious effort to start sewing more separates, and I’m happy with how well the test garment turned out (above). The neckline is going to be pretty low, but I don’t think I’ll have any gaping issues from what I can tell (otherwise I’d try this). Based on what I’ve read about this pattern on Pattern Review, I’m going to try using clear elastic to stabilize the neckline instead of using a facing. I figured it would be best to start with the tunic version of this pattern and if all goes well, I’ll definitely make the dress version at a later time.
Yesterday I also cut out and made the pants from this pattern that will go with the top. I should have tried them on before I trimmed the allowances since I could have done with a little letting out of the side seams at the thighs – I have “frown lines,” an indicator that there isn’t enough room for my thighs in the front. But I didn’t adjust it and I have some frowny-ness going on and I’m ok with that. I tried the test tunic on with the pants and it’ll cover that area, so no one will know about it but me. I also had to crop about two inches off of the top of the pants since I’m not 85 and I don’t like my pants to hit right at my rib cage – why is it so hard to find pants patterns that have a modern fit? Now that they hit about an inch bellow my belly button, they are the comfiest pants in the world: almost like PJ’s but sewn out of a knit fabric that is socially acceptable to wear in public.
What’s on your cutting table this week?
that looks gorgeous!
Thanks, and this is just the test run!
Beautiful fabric. It screams spring. I've attempted this pattern without success. I would have to blame it on user error (improper marking) and delusion (sure, I'll fit this size).
Thanks for your comments on the fabric, this is only the test garment fabric. I read a lot of mixed reviews on Pattern Review about this pattern so you're not alone on the pattern not working out…I hope in the end it works for me, we'll see!
I recently bought a piece of this fabric, and still don't know what it's going to be.
It's a fun piece of fabric! It was in the clearance section at Joann Fabrics and I needed something similar to the fashion fabric I'm going to use so I could make a test garment. This fabric would be great as a dress for spring/summer.
You might try the alice + olivia vogue 1051 pants pattern. very similar to rtw and come out nice. I narrowed the waistband by almost half, and my muslin was wearable!