Yet Another Simplicity 4539

I appreciate the comments on yesterday's dress. I totally understand the delicate intimations that this is perhaps not my best style. I should have said in the review that it is one of those things that is more trendy than attractive. And let's face it, a lot of what's trendy right now is not attractive--though the sack is comfortable to wear. Generally I look for styles that fit and flatter, but I'm totally not above jumping on bandwagons (I was in the marching band in high school, it's in my blood). It's one of those things I'll wear while it lasts and then look back on the pictures and cringe. Or probably not actually; I think at this point I'm old enough to just shrug.



I first cut out Simplicity 4539 years and years ago (probably four years now) but it became a UFO because I didn't know the proper needle to sew on my terrible plastick-y knit. Meanwhile, the pattern went out of print. After discovering the stretch needle (versus ballpoint), I finished the first one and added it to my Paris wardrobe. Then I added sleeves and made one in black and yellow for fall/winter (and my colleagues compliment me every time I wear it).

The day I left for Paris for the third time last year, in November, the Super Shuttle was coming to pick me up around 1:00. I was all packed and restless so I decided to do a realllllly quick project. That's what TNTs, especially knit TNTs are for!

I loved the black and white houndstooth from The Carol Collection, and I was intrigued by the gray underside. I wonder... The normal construction of the cowl on this top is to sew right side of cowl to right side of top, fold cowl over to the inside, and tack in place. A little experimenting and I found that by sewing the wrong side of the cowl to the right side of the top, I could fold the cowl over outward instead of inward and show a little bit of the contrast underside.

I had hoped to cut the sleeves long and wide and end them in an elastic casing, for a lower sleeve puff. But I didn't have quite enough fabric. At this point, the Super Shuttle was on its way so I hand sewed a triple pinch pleat a few inches from the end and tacked an elastic wrist band in place at the pleats and the seam while waiting at the airport. I'm a big fan of saving hand-sewing for when you have to wait at the airport.

You can see that I overlocked the sleeve and hem to get a lettuce edge.

I was very happy with my chic new Parisian top, and I felt like I'd made all the use I could of my time. All photos are here and the pattern review is here.