Trying To Finish Up Summer Sewing - S2594

Pictured here with McCall's 5818 Pants




I rushed home from work Friday afternoon with great expectation to get some sewing done. I still have fifteen garments on my list for Summer 2009 projects. ...,don't think I'll finish them before the summer ends. So Friday I decided to at least make an easy knit top. Simplicity 2594 was already cut and ready to sew. So I sat down around 7:30 pm to make it completing everything except the hemming of the sleeves, neckline, and bottom. And of course, a nice hard press to complete the project.

I did finish it and was very happy with the results. Here's my review.

Pattern Description: Misses' top in two lengths with neckline variations and tie belt. Suggested fabrics were woven. I used a lightweight knit.

Pattern Sizing: 8 to 24. I purchased a size (16-24) and scaled down the 16 to what would be size 14; view A.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Pretty much. I was surprised at the amount of style ease in the top. I was able to make it without doing a FBA. My version does not have as much style/wearing ease across the bust area, but that's alright with me. I really like how my first version turned out.

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were really easy to follow. I didn't find anything difficult or confusion about them.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? There are so many likes about this pattern. The overall style is what attracted me to it. Specifically, the back yoke and the shoulder pleating. I also like the draped neckline. On the pattern envelope it reads, " easy to sew." That's always a like for me. Especially, when I need something quick to sew after multiple labor intensive projects.

Fabric Used: I used a lightweight knit purchased from Vogue fabrics (4 years in the stash).

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I used a knit fabric instead of the suggested woven fabric. No alterations needed. Quick and easy. The instructions say to cut two pieces of the belt pattern (sizes 16-24). Instead of sewing a 3/8" seam allowance, I sewed a 5/8 seam allowance. The belt looks fine with that minor change/accident (lol). One thing to note: the belt is very long. I doubled it before tying. Instead of machine hemming the sleeves, I hand stitched them. The knit fabric was a bit of a challenge to sew in certain angles of the fabric grain. Finally, while pressing the bottom hem I burned it. The moment I knew what happened I screamed. Good thing is it was close to the bottom and I had added about 1" to length (for comfort). So I made the hem wider to conceal my misfortune.



No dislikes. It's a winner.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes and yes. I plan to make a few more next summer. This is a nice top to help build a comfortable wardrobe.

Conclusion: This top is easy to make and I recommend it to others sewists of all levels.