Description: Misses' pullover top with seam detail for this view.
Sizing: 6 to 22
Instructions: They were good, this is a a basic tshirt with some piecing (color-blocking). The back has the inset at the bottom.
Fabric: The leftover stripe knit from my Stripe blazer and a lighter navy ponte from Mood Fabrics, it is a shade or two lighter than my peplum top
Changes: The pattern calls for the back inset to be the same fabric as the back, I used a stripe for this piece, the same as the front pieces,
I made the pattern a size bigger, the pattern envelope states close fitting and use moderate stretch knits. I was using ponte without much stretch and thought I would need a bit more room.
This was not a good decision, I had to take in the top quite a bit. Both on the front piecing, side seams and center back above the inset.
Here is my Instagram picture from Saturday night after I finished my top.
Conclusion: After I finished the top and put it on my dressform, I was very indifferent to the top. Just couldn't decide if I like it or not.
I put on my top today, wore it for errands around town and asked Meredith to take some pictures of me. Well, upon looking at the first pictures, I asked Meredith to take some more because it looked terrible in the pictures. Meredith agreed, so we took 6 more pictures again they looked terrible. Then 6 more (I don't know why 6 she just took that many each time) and the same results - UGHHHH, do I really look like that? Meredith told me it did not look that way in person, Erin was here for lunch and agreed it looked good on. I appreciated their kind comments but I cannot get the photograph out of my head. I changed tops before Erin and I went to Columbia to get a baby bed for my house.
Here is a side-by-side of my two outfits, what are your thoughts?
My thoughts? Still UGHHHH!! I cannot believe I even posted a picture of this top on the blog. Anyone want a new top? I don't think I even look like the same person. What the heck is it about the navy ponte top that is so dang unflattering?
So in this instance a picture is worth one word - yes, UGHHH!
Lori, I don't think it's horrible. Throw it in the washer and the dryer and then try it on again. To me - in the picture, that front diagonal seam looks a bit puckered and then the stipe is a bit dizzy making. You know how they can do in pictures. I don't think it looks horrible. g
ReplyDeleteI think it looks cute! Not so bad..
ReplyDeletelooks like a nice casual top to wear to work :)
I don't think it looks that bad either. Has it been washed and dried yet? The only other thing I could suggest is the length which with the piecing can't be changed. It's a really cute top from the pattern photo.
ReplyDeleteWhat a month! I join you in the uugghh garment department - I've sewn 2.5 awful things in February. (The .5 was so bad I didn't finish it :-)
ReplyDeleteIf you're not happy with this top then that's really all that matters.
ReplyDeleteDid you originally like it because of the colour contrasts? The dark colour on the drawings look the opposite to your version. And i've noticed that your shirt is a v-neck but this top is a round neckline.
Anyway, that's enough from the peanut gallery.
Hmm, I agree with opinion that how you feel about the top matters most. If you hate how it looks on you, you are unlikely to wear it and if you ever do you will just be unhappy thinking you look bad. I think it may be that the light areas out to the side give an illusion of you being wider than you are.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it looks so bad either. Yet I agree with others it is how you feel when wearing it. Perhaps if you use dark pieces for the side pieces and use lighter colors for the front pieces you might like it better.
ReplyDeleteI too purchased this pattern during one of the recent sales and yet to make this up.
Is it the asymmetry? You spend a lot of time perfectly matching points for your quilts, does the front look "wrong" to you? I have a close friend who quilts, and asymmetry "hurts her brain." I think it's quite cute and unique.
ReplyDeleteI would NEVER say this top was ugly - but I would be really curious to see it with the light and dark reversed, as someone already mentioned.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I don't like the wideness of the round neck - that doesn't flatter me at all - but that's just me.
It really does look just fine on you though! What's your address - I can use a new top. LOL
What a perfect top for a nana to be!
ReplyDeleteJUST kidding, my friend . I agee with several comments....wash and dry, don't wear it if it doesn't make you feel good and maybe the fabrics reversed in placement would have made a difference. All in all, it's not a horrible top. It just may not be for you.
I like it. but what matters the most is how you feel about. Let it sit for a while then revisit.
ReplyDeleteI think the top looks stylish and will look great with blue jeans. Seeing it above it looks cute on you!
ReplyDeleteJoy
I think maybe it would have worked better in a different knit. It just doesn't hug the body so it makes you look bigger and you are tiny. Can't win them all.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a bummer when you make something and then feel 'meh' about it. Here's my 2 cents: When I look at the photo on the right I think "Wow, she has a great haircut and a great smile." When looking at the new top, I look at your middle instead and miss the great haircut and smile.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it looks bad at all! Maybe try taking in the side seams just a little and see if that helps? Sometimes I feel so frumpy in knits if they're just a smidge too big.
ReplyDeleteI think you look a foot taller in the second photo and a lot thinner. In my opinion after reading your blog for a while, you look terrific in tailored styles that others would have difficulty wearing. Someone will really enjoy that top, but with as many beautiful and flattering things as you must have in your closet, I'd let them have it and wear something that makes you feel super. My more than two bits!
ReplyDeleteI echo anonymous thoughts and couldn't have said it any better! I adore your classic approach. Before you give up on this top, do what you do best, throw on a cardigan or a jacket, jeans and tuck in the top.
ReplyDeleteHi Lori. I agree with everyone here. It's not a bad top. It's just not you. (Right now? Anymore?)I think you (and I as well) are moving toward things that are more tailored and body conscious in a flattering way. Perhaps if the darker fabric was at the sides/inserts... This may not work for everyone but if I don't absolutely love it, out it goes.
ReplyDeleteThe contrast seams fall past your bust where princess seams would lie and make your bust look wider. For an optical illusion to slim this area make the side panels darker and wider and the center panels light and narrower. I have had a similar experience with a dress in the past and just threw it out. There are better patterns out there and no one ever wants to look shorter and wider. Move on.
ReplyDeleteLee
Its that old optical illusion thing at work Lori. The eye is drawn to the lighter colors on the outside and if that's not enough, they're pieced in the shape of "arrows" saying "look here" -- and now "look here"! If you look at the pattern drawing, the white is on the inside, with the black on the outside -- which gives the illusion that the wearer is actually that skinny "x" shape --- AND if you look at the illustration, there's the black line going down the diagonal in center -- which is either just the drawing of the seaming or could in real life be accomplished with black piping --- either way that diagonal line draws the eye in a long downward diagonal line which says (to the brain of the viewer) -- this wearer not only has a 2" waist, but she's also 12 feet tall!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's how they sell patterns -- they make the illustration look so amazingly awesome -- don't we all want to have a two inch waist & look 12 feet tall????? But in real life the patterns made up NEVER look on us like they look on the drawing!!!! Hence so many wadders & unhappy consumers.
Margaret
Stash Empress
Personally, I like the one on the left the best, but that's because I like that style better. I love the color blocking and I think it makes you look slim.
ReplyDeleteI think angelathecreativediva said it the best and she is right. Even though I do like it on you, that doesn't matter. You don't have to wear something you don't like.
I think the color blocking is bothering you. Imagine that top in one fabric, with the design lines topstitched, and you may find you like it. Baby bed for grandma! I just took one to the Goodwill. I have 2 toddler beds now, but when we move, we'll give those away and get twin beds for our grandsons. I can see you intend to do a lot of babysitting!
ReplyDeleteI think the light pieces being on the side add inches to your waist... inches you don't really have! I think if the dark pieces were on the side it would have been more flattering.
ReplyDeleteThe shirt seems to hang or stick out from the color blocking seams in the middle. Maybe a wash/dry will help.
I agree with you that the top on the right is more flattering on you, but I would not be horrified to see you in the one on the left either. ;) I have had a similar revelation with a Vogue pattern...I didn't realized how unflattering it was until my daughter took a picture of me in it. I still wear it, but only if I don't plan on leaving the house. :p
ReplyDeleteYou have a very nice figure and the top doesn't show it off. It appears as if the top gives you more of a square shape and no one wants to be square! Chalk it up as a lesson learned and donate it.
ReplyDeleteI can sure understand the blah feeling we get with some of the items we sew. Thankfully all of our attempts increase our knowledge of what works for us and what doesn't. Thanks for posting your version of this pattern and sharing your thoughts on it. Being willing to share your experience is so helpful to us should we decide to give the pattern a go. As always, you've done a beautiful job sewing it up!
ReplyDeletepersonally I think you look great especially for a grandma ! You don`t look old enough to be one yet. I think it is the design of the top not you - it doesn`t quite look right with the contrast fabrics not meeting up in some way. Again notice that they do not have a live model with this view ! I wonder if anyone else has made this view - I suspect they are all going to look not quite right with this design element. My largest body part is my tummy so I suspect having the fabric pointing there would not be flattering.The other views do look interesting though - will you try those at some time?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Janine. I threw away the pattern because I didn't like it so much, so I guess that means no I won't be trying the other views :)! LOL. Thanks so much for your comment and observation of the top and pattern.
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