Working Knit With Simplicity 2345

I just finished up my latest top from Simplicity 2345 and I don't think with it just yet. So far I have made 4 tops and dress using this pattern, that is a lot for me. I love the cowl neck line and how it shows off my log neck with a nice necklace. For me its not your average tee but not too unique that if you made it a lot someone would notice. This particular one sat for almost a year as a UFO while I made others. Only because I quickly learned that I like this pattern more in a poly knit than a cotton knit, the cowl just hangs better to me. So any future tops or dresses from this pattern will be made in only knits that drape well.







Gray, White, Black and Red in a Cotton Knit

Purple, Black and White Stripe in a polyester knit

Gray Cotton Knit

Black, Red, Off White in a Polyester Knit

Various Shades of Purple and White in a Polyester Knit as a Dress

If I do make this a dress again, I'm going to have to A-line the pattern a little bit more. While I do wear the dress that made, I wanted something that is not so clingy in the hips, more like a flowy maxi dress. What I did was to the a-line shaping starting just above the hips which did not give me the amount of ease I wanted in the hip area. What I think I need to do is to start the a-line just below the bust like in a empire waist dress. I have a green and white knit that was given to me by a good friend that I think would be perfect for my next dress. 

You can read more on this pattern here.

Until next time, happy sewing...

Complete Mini Wardrobe

Key item: Straight skirt McCall's 3830 PR review / Blog post

Knit top Simplicity 2345 PR review / Blog post

Woven top New Look 6808: PR review /  Blog post

A-line skirt Self drafted: PR review / Blog post

Last minute knit tunic Burda 7872: PR review / Blog post

Easy Peasy Quick and Easy : TnT Knit Top Simplicity 2345

 Item number two done for my mini wardrobe. Very quick and easy to put together. I used a fabric I got from fabric.com a few years ago when I was learning to sew knits. I only got it because there was a large selection with a good price for practice, normally I don't buy striped fabric, but I am liking this top. This is my fourth time sewing up this pattern and I can see a few more for myself, I just love how the draped cowl helps me to show a nice necklace on my long neck.

Here is my review from patternreview.com:

Pattern Description: 
Misses'/Miss petite jacket, pants, knit top and dress with knit bodice.
Pattern Sizing: 8 to 16, for myself I used a size 12

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Nope, since I do not do sleeveless I added a sleeve using and older Simplicity pattern in my pattern collection 

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions are very easy to follow with only 4 pattern pieces and 12 steps in the instructions I was able to get it done in two "sewing time" sessions from fabric layout to the last stitch. 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Well in my previous review I had nothing to dislike other than not having sleeves but having sewn it two more times since, the back facing is a problem for me, if your not careful you can stretch out the back neckline and have a wavy back neck. In the first two I did not have this problem, I don't know what I did wrong but I know I have to be careful of this.

Fabric Used: Three out of the four times I have used a poly lycra knit and the other a cotton knit. They are all nice I love the drape better in the polyester better. So the drapier the fabric the better

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Added sleeves from and older OOP Simplicity pattern

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes and Yes

Conclusion: A really nice knit top that is easy to sew and a great addition to your wardrobe, doesn't get and better than that.

Here it is with my key item. Next up is my self drafted skirt pattern in denim.

Until next time, happy sewing...

The Cowl Tee

This is currently my favorite top, its one of the reasons that my mini challenge grew to more than 10 patterns. I already have plans for this to be one of my first patterns I sew up for the coming year. This will be my third time sewing it up and I can see why getting a TnT pattern is an on going process. My first version I sewed tee as is except for adding a sleeve, after wearing for a while I decided to add an inch to both the hem and to the sleeve and it made it much better. Now with my version I'm going to add one more inch to the sleeve and then I think I will have perfected the pattern. I'm also hoping to make a dress using this pattern in the near future.

Until next time happy sewing...

Simplicity 2345 with OOP 5875

 I'm surprised this pattern has only been reviewed once and is now OOP.With all the popularity of cowls right now I would think this would have gotten more air time. Anyway I'm thinking about adding this one to my collection of patterns for my challenge for next year, it really is one of my favorite top patterns.I have only made it twice but I hope to make it a lot more. Anyway here is my review.

 Pattern Description: Misses'/Miss petite jacket, pants, knit top and dress with knit bodice.

Pattern Sizing: 8-16 but I sewed a size 12

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  A little, I added a sleeve from and OOP simplicity pattern 5875

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, I had no problems putting it together and after you have done it once, its  breeze the second time around.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I had no dislikes other than just wanting sleeves, which was easier to do than I thought.

Fabric Used: a polyester knit I had gotten from fabric.com and a cotton knit I got here from Souk Owais

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: only change I made was add a sleeve from an OOP Simplicity 5875 but for I did this I asked and Nicegirl's reply was most helpful Message board question After wearing the first one for a while  I added an extra inch to the gray top since I like  y tops a little longer than it was drafted

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? yes and yes

Conclusion: I love my tops and hope to make more and I even plans to make it into a dress esp with  the popularity of Vogue 1250
I'm surprised it has only been reviewed once

Until next time happy sewing...