Pattern Review: Cashmerette’s Springfield tops x2.

I am drinking the juice, the Cashmerette and indie pattern juice.  I think as I sew more, I’m looking for less fuss and these patterns are so well drafted I can get more sewing done.  The patterns are not cheap and I’m not a fan of printing out PDF patterns! I justify the cost in time saved adjusting the pattern and use, I’ve made enough of them that I’ve gotten a return on my investment.   I get a quality product each time so it is worth it to me.  Most indie patterns will ship you a printed pattern and you can also have them printed at your local office supply store.  There is a difference between the commercial patterns and the indie patterns, and it goes beyond price, it feels specialized, and intentional.  Now, that’s not to say commercial patterns are not, they are for the average/masses and that sometimes falls way out side of my measurements.  They both have a special place with me and my goal is to balance my stash and wardrobe to get more sewing done and spend less time with alterations.

I’ve made two of these already and I have one more cut out.  I’m lazy sometimes, and I truly do not want to spend hours fitting and fiddling with each pattern I make.  The more patterns I make, the more adjustments I make, the easier they become, muscle memory so to speak so they are not difficult, just time consuming.  I don’t have a lot of time to sew since I work and I have an active family, so when sit down I want to make it count.  I’m starting to make multiples of patterns in different fabrics and make great us of my time and patterns.

Full disclosure, if I would stay off of social media, I would have way more time to sew!  In an effort to stay consistent, I try to make/post one item a week, but depending on the level of difficulty or time to make, that can be difficult.

Description:
Make room in your closet for the Springfield Top! This woven
shell is ideal for layering under a cardigan or pairing with dark jeans
and your favorite heels. View A features a loose, swingy silhouette and
optional hem band, while View B uses back princess seams to beautifully
skim your curves. Both variations have scooped necklines, back yokes,
and comfortably split side seams. Bring on the weekend!

SEWING LEVEL: Beginner.
SIZING: 12 to 28, in three cup sizes (C/D, E/F, G/H). I made size 18C/D
RECOMMENDED FABRIC: Light to midweight woven fabric such as cotton lawn, linen, chambray, rayon, crepe or silk.  I used a Blue/Green printed Rayon Challis and a Cotton African Kente print.

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, I had no trouble following along and I found no errors.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

 
I like the different cup sizes, I like the variations to the back pattern pieces, especially the princess seams and I really like the neckline, there is no need for a zipper or button, it goes right over my head.  The back princess seams alleviated my sway back adjustment and I didn’t need a forward shoulder adjustment!

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

 
For the African printed top, I added my normal two inch length adjustment, I’m 5’9″.  I really like both lengths. 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes and Yes!  I’ve made it twice already, I can see me making a few more.  You can’t go wrong with a basic layer piece that is versatile. 

Time:  It takes me about an hour and a half to sew a top, hemming and binding the neckline/armholes take me the longest

Tips/techniques: Here’s a link to the Springfield top’s sewalong for more information, techniques and suggestions.

I want to hear from you, what do you think?  Have you sewn this pattern, did you like it, do you
have plans to sew it?