All Twisted Up In Simplicity 8465

It slipped my mind that I needed to make something for the holidays to wear, I don’t know how, but it didn’t make it on my white board.  I usually try to map out what I’ll sew so I can keep on track, I’m ADD and if I don’t, I’ll spend two weeks on Pinterest researching how to attach paper to the bottom of trash cans, SMH.  So, I know myself and I know I need structure.  In spite of this however, I leave some time for creative things after I’ve finished what I set up as a goal sort of a wild card if you will.  I give my self time to do and make whatever I want. 

Sewist are constantly sewing so there’s a constant influx of “Gurl, I
love that, I have that pattern, and I’m making that!”  I have this
internal and external dialogue at least three times a week and if I’m
not careful, I’ll have eight unfinished projects that I got “bored
with”.  So, my process is, I will talk myself out of making something,
change the fabric, the design, etc… you get the idea.  Well, normally
this is great for the creative process, but for me, most times it means I
won’t get anything done at all, so I have to make a decision and stick
to it. That doesn’t mean on the spot changes aren’t made, but I don’t
scrap a project in the middle of it, I make it work!

On to why I made this top, I had a bunch of knit fabric and a bunch of
the “new ” patterns in a bag and I picked something.  Fabric came first,
I had it to make another project and changed my mind so it was out in
front.  I didn’t have the time to “design” anything so I wanted
something relatively easy with minimal fitting since I didn’t have time
to make a test garment/muslin/toile.

Pattern Description:

 
Misses’ knit tops and pants pattern in sizes XXS-XXL includes a sweater
in two lengths, featuring a twisted front with dropped shoulders and
long sleeves with thumb holes. The pull-on knit pants are slim fit with
elastic waistband at side and back, flat in front. Pants also have side
pockets and length variations with slits or ties at hem.

SEWING LEVEL: Advance Beginner

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?

 
Yes, they were easy to follow.  Pay attention to how to make the knot, the illustrations are good and if you transfer your markings and follow the illustrations and written instructions, you will be fine.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

 
I like the twisted front, drop shoulder, the different length variations and that it has pattern pieces for pants.  I like the tie detail at the pant hem too!  I made View A and I didn’t like that there are no lengthen/ shorten lines on the pattern pieces for the top.  I’m taller than what this is drafted for so a beginner might have trouble making a height adjustment to the top because of the way the pattern is drafted. You could try adding length to the hem or drawing your lengthen shorten line five or six inches from the hem on your test garment.  I like the way the stripes turned out because of the way it’s drafted.  I also like that for the top there were only two pattern pieces!
Fabric Used:
Cotton blend knit, it feels like a sweater knit with good stretch and OK recovery.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

 
I made this straight out of the package with minimal changes, I know right, wow!  I cut an XL which is my normal range, my full bust is 46″.  This is a loose fitting top with lots of ease.  I graded the sleeve up just a half inch (1/4 in on each side) and a slight round back adjustment.  I’ll tell you that if you are bigger than a “C” cup, you may need to make some adjustments.  If I make it again, I would do round back adjustment, forward shoulder adjustment and I would lengthen the bust pieces to ensure the knot hit a little lower.  This has an empire waist feel and I don’t like the seam right under the bust, I like it a little lower on the sternum, but that maybe remedied with the forward shoulder and rounded back adjustment for me.  I would also do a gaping neckline (hollow chest adjustment) on the front.  They recommend clear elastic on the neckline which was good, but I either didn’t stretch the elastic enough when installing it or the neckline is a little too big.  Either way, although it’s a loose fitting top, to me the neckline was a little big.  The arms are long which I love because I always have to lengthen, but in this case I didn’t need to lengthen them.  Also, I  didn’t make the thumb hole on the sleeve so the length felt too long for me.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, I think it’s a solid pattern to try, and I would recommend it.  The pattern wasn’t as difficult as I thought and if if the twist is in the right place on the body it can add visual interest and nip the waist a bit.  I may make this with my adjustments in the future and I will definitely try the pants.  I like the top in this beefy knit, this was a light to medium weight knit with moderate stretch, it may fit differently in a beefy knit with less stretch, but not a stable knit.  I don’t know how I would like it in a lightweight rayon or jersey, if you make it in a lightweight fabric, let me know!

I know I’m not the only one out there that gets distracted by shiny things, how do you combat distractions when sewing and planning?