The make it work top: Butterick 6486

Have you ever started something and through out the process you struggled?  That was me with this top.  I should have named it the little top that could, or better yet the whining sewist.  However, in the end I count it a success!  One of my favorite bloggers, Carolyn from Diary of a Sewing Fanatic made this same top and I loved her fabric choice.  She gave great tips and tricks for this pattern and I whined in my insta-stories and blew up her DM throughout the process.

I used every one of her recommendations to make this a success and I’m happy I tried this pattern because I learned something about myself.  I learned that I rarely like anything while I’m making it (WTH), I don’t know why, but I find issues and fault with everything.  Clearly, I’m not one of those people that see the beauty in the mess, but I need to!  I have to learn to trust the process and myself, I can “make things work”.  I think this is so important in sewing, I think most people think everything comes out great and runs smooth the first time around, but really, sewing is about fixing things, changing things and making them work!  As a beginner, it’s like a cookbook, you have to follow every step, because most are not confident enough to deviate from the instructions or what you’ve been taught, and that leads to frustration when things don’t work out and you don’t know how to fix a mistake.

I’ve learned that I can look at somethings (not all things) now and call on my past experiences to figure out how to fix it or more importantly, how to articulate the problem to someone else so they can help me fix it.  I use old pattern instructions, books, YouTube tutorials, and similar reviews from other sewist.  These are all things needed to build, sharpen and hone your skills.  The neckline was an issue that Carolyn warned me about, but after my adjustments, I still had an issue.  I fixed this issue and didn’t throw it away and throw my hands up.  From experience, I know there’s more than one way to bind a neckline, so I chose to use single fold bias tape because I had some on hand.  Finally, I’m learning what will looks good on me regardless of the pattern and how to modify things to fit me.  I did that with my decision not to lengthen the bodice (I usually lengthen it 2″), it allowed the gathers to hit me at the smallest point of my waistline and that’s flattering.

Pattern Description:

 
Misses’ Loose-Fitting, Gathered Waist Pullover Tops with Bell Sleeves
SEWING LEVEL: Advance Beginner

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

 
Yes, I made view A and I left off the lace
Were the instructions easy to follow?

 
Yes, they are solid in instructions and easy enough to follow.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

 
I like that it was easy and the bell sleeves.  However, most tops without darts have minimal shaping so it’s hit or miss.  I don’t like the lack of shaping in the back and the oversize neckline.  The neckband piece for the facing did not fit and I looked at the pattern piece and thought, this doesn’t look right.  For such a loose fitting top, the sleeves were a little tight to me (see picture below).

Back Neckband pattern piece is not long enough

Fabric Used: Rayon Paisley print

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: 

–Forward Shoulder adjustment
-I cut an XL at the neck and shoulder and graded up 5/8″ at the bust, hip and hem
-I did a hollow chest adjustment since Carolyn warned me about the extra ease at the upper chest and neckline.
-I did a full bicep adjustment
-I omitted the lace
-I used single fold bias tape for the neckline in place of the facing since the facing didn’t fit.
-I usually lengthen two inches, I didn’t do that because the length was sufficient and I only had a two yard fabric piece.

In a nut shell, the pattern is not hard to sew, which makes it easy, but getting the fit right takes a little tweaking if you want the neckline and upper chest to fit nicely. Will I make it again, well after all these alterations, I said no, but you never know.

I want to hear from you, do you see the beauty in the mess of constructing a garment?  Are you the queen of “make it work”?