Share your thoughts about patterns you have tried. Like ’em? Hate ’em? Or maybe you want information on a pattern before you buy.

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by niener on Tue Dec 04, 2007 3:17 am

I made two tops using this pattern yesterday, and I have never been so confused trying to follow a pattern. Maybe I was just trying to get them done too quickly, but I found myself trying to put it together with tried and true techniques, only to realize that was not how to construct this pattern, and I had to remove as many stitches as I put in. Also the little flounces were a little cumbersome to attach. I wasn’t very pleased with the double stitching and then trimming of the remaining seam allowance. I believe there has to be a much easier way to get this look from maybe adding some soft ruffles to an MP a-line or something; although the circular flounces do fall pretty from the stay. It is a MUST to carefully transfer all pattern markings to the pieces. Be sure to mark the stitching lines for the flounces on the RIGHT side of the pieces – I had done it on the back side (again, doing what I typically do) and had to remark them. I have RETIRED this pattern. One thing I did not do as the pattern suggested was the hems of the flounces. Rather than doing a narrow double and rolled hem on a circular flounce, I ran them through my serger using the setup for a narrow hem. That came out wonderfully, and it allowed the flounces to be just a bit longer that way too.

Kathy, thanks for putting the link in – here is a preliminary picture of one of the tops. I’m waiting to see if my daugher wants more buttons added. This is supposed to look like a decorated Christmas tree…..I thought I should at least tell you that! I haven’t pressed it yet. And I see it isn’t hanging on the hanger straight either!!

Last edited by niener on Tue Dec 04, 2007 3:44 am, edited 3 times in total.

Jerry

niener senior member
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by GaGa on Tue Dec 04, 2007 4:38 am

Your little top did turn out very cute! I can understand your pain. By summer you will be all ready to tackle it again
GaGa senior member
  Posts: 217 Joined: Wed Dec 06, 2006 8:33 am Location: West TN

by nonie on Tue Dec 04, 2007 5:46 am

It did turn out very cute. I can see where this pattern would be a pain to put together, so I for one am darn proud of you. Job well done.

nonie Super Sewer
  Posts: 7589 Joined: Tue Jun 22, 2004 9:36 pm

by SewingForAll on Tue Dec 04, 2007 7:00 am

It is so cute and I think you did a great job!!

Blessings >
Angie

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  Posts: 762 Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:02 pm Location: W. TN

by Rettabug on Tue Dec 04, 2007 9:45 am

Well, I say it was worth all your hard efforts. Its adorable! Is this the one that you’re making for MK’s little friend? I hope you are doing another for MK, too.

I like the different versions shown on the pattern package. It would be darling done up in summer fabric so don’t put it too far back in the drawer.

Rettabug senior member
  Posts: 727 Joined: Wed Sep 12, 2007 9:02 pm

by lemming81 on Tue Dec 04, 2007 12:07 pm

I think it’s darling and owuld made up it a summer print or solid!! Don’t throw it away!!!

Stephanie in MI
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  Posts: 2983 Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2004 7:05 pm Location: SE Michigan

by niener on Wed Dec 05, 2007 5:06 am

I made some pictures of the “wrong side” of the top and the “right side” under the flounces to kind of show how it is constructed. This is the “wrong side” – the top turned inside out.

The stay is a little a-line part that the flounces stitch to. You will see a double row of stitches in the middle and near the bottom. That is where the bottom two flounces were stitched on. The top flounce was stitched on to the top of the stay. The first problem was that you stitch the side seams about 2″ down wrong sides together. You clip the seam at that point and flip the dress right sides together and finish sewing the seam. Now that nearly blew my mind to start with. Then you stitch the underarm area on each area right sides together; trim and understitch; then finish sewing that flounce to the tops of the stay wrong side to right side. Then you flip that up and begin trying to fit a complete circle to an a-line stay. Twice. And then you repeat that for the last flounce. This is the “right side” – just showing the flounces flipped

Then you get to sew that tiny yoke together….please note the square neckline. You leave part of the arm edge open so you can stitch the front yoke to back yoke then pop that seam to fold in the remaining seam allowances and stay stitch the opening you left so there are no raw edges. Anybody lost yet?? Since I was doing two just alike, I cut them both out Saturday. Thank goodness rugsnob bought about 5 yards of this fabric; otherwise I would have been folding and refolding to get all those circular flounces cut. I wasted about 3 yards of fabric because I just folded in about 14″ all along one side and cut them side by side. I have a nice 3 yard long piece of green quilting cotton by about 25″ wide – anybody need applique fabric??? It would make wonderful Christmas trees. Each lower flounce had two pieces to be joined to make the complete circle; the top one had three so that it could be split at the back to accommodate the little “placket” opening. It closes with one button and buttonhole. I had to keep MK’s separate from Sarah’s because I was sewing MK’s with only 3/8″ seams to give her some extra room across the chest. So I had to be very careful which pile I was getting my pieces from! I did them in production style. I did one process on MK’s then I did the same process on Sarah’s. I found that much more productive than completely finishing one before doing the other. Actually, had I not, there would not BE another one. For all of you experienced seamstresses, this would not be a problem. I would caution anybody who wants to do this top or dress – (yes, you can add a FOURTH flounce and call it a dress. )- to transfer your pattern markings very carefully. I did, but I made my sewing line marks on the back of the stay (as you can see in the first picture where my chalk lines are still showing), and I was stitching on the front side. So I had to re-mark it on the front side so I could see where I was supposed to be sewing.

I wish you all much luck with this pattern. You may want to come look through my trash in the morning before the garbage truck runs.

Jerry

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  Posts: 1577 Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:16 pm

by GrandmaDeb on Wed Dec 05, 2007 8:08 pm

It looks very complicated. Are your hems a rolled hem with your serger?

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by niener on Wed Dec 05, 2007 10:00 pm

Actually I did a sample using both the rolled hem and the 3 thread narrow hem. I liked the coverage better on the narrow hem, so yes, I did finish the flounces with the serger. I just couldn’t see myself trying to double and roll a narrow hem on these round flounces and have it look decent.

Jerry

niener senior member
  Posts: 1577 Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:16 pm

by Smockette on Sun Dec 09, 2007 2:53 am

Yikes! I’m dizzy!!!

Bunny

A dry crust eaten in peace is better than steak every day with an argument!…unknown

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