McCalls 5145

I have had this pattern for some time and finally got around to sewing it up. It has been sewn and sitting on my Millie for a number of weeks just waiting for some buttons and buttonholes.

I chose to sew the sleeveless version for our hot summer/autumns here. It is now Easter weekend and we still have the air con running some days!!

Please excuse the wrinkles but I had been wearing it all day, plus it is 100% cotton and so there will be wrinkles. This was a cheap fabric basically to do a wearable muslin. Next time round I will use something nicer in a poly/cotton. The colour hasn't photographed right either, it is more of a pinky colour than it is shown.

Now to the actual pattern..... I spent a lot of time on this top trying to get the fit sorted. It took a long time to get the princess seams correct and it still needs some work to get it better. I started with a size 18 and then did a FBA following FFRP instructions. I also added a CB seam which I do to all my garments to fit my narrow upper back. Originally I had made the version with the non curved hem but I found it hit me at my widest part and looked boxy on me. At this point I was ready to throw it in the bin because it just wasn't right. I don't know what made me think to change the hemline shape but I'm glad I did because I like it a whole lot better.

On my next go round I will make it a tad longer and definitely in a nicer fabric that drapes a lot better.

I finally picked up some buttons yesterday and sat to do the buttonholes. Well, on my test run they were great but when it came to the garment they were giving me fits!!! The first one was great and then I had two dud ones which I needed to unpick and redo a few times. I eventually got there but I was baffled as to why they were so temperamental. I was so frustrated !!!

All in all, I think this is a great pattern and wardrobe builder. I can see me sewing this up a lot in the future. I would really love it in a basic white that could be worn with both skirts and pants under a jacket in winter and by itself in summer.