Plaid Crepe Knit Top - McCall M6963

McCall M6963 was the next to last top that I made on New Year's Eve.  The goal that day was to make something quick and easy to end my year of sewing projects.  Last year was the year of knit tops.  I made over twenty.

Again, this pattern was already adjusted for fit.  It is also a Palmer/Pletsch pattern with fit instructions included.  The design is basically a t-shirt pattern with two variations of a cowl neck.  I used this to make another one of Rhonda's sleeve designs.  It's still available on the McCall Patterns website.  There are two size groupings:  8 to 16 and 16 to 24.  I used size 14 with modifications.

The fabric that I used is a beefy crepe knit from the New Rainbow Fabrics on Roosevelt Road. At first glance, I had to have it.  One of the things that I discovered while cutting out the top is that the plaid is not printed straight on the fabric.   From one end to the other, crosswise, the print is slightly off.  So it was difficult getting the plaid to line up throughout the top.  But I think I did okay.  Not perfect though.

My top does look like the photo on the pattern envelope with the exception of the drape of the cowl.  Mine has a little more body than the fabric used for the pictured top.  My fit adjustments produced a few more seams.  But other than that, it looked the same.

The instructions were typical and nothing confusing about them.  The bonus is that the pattern has fit instructions and some additional sewing tips.

I liked the cowl drape neckline variations.  As far as the rest of the pattern, it's a typical t-shirt pattern.  No dislikes.

My alterations:

• FBA
• Swayback and center back seam
• Changed the sleeve length 
• Prominent Shoulder Blade adjustment

I will use it again for sure.  It's a easy wardrobe builder.  It looks great underneath jackets and cardigans as well as by itself with pants or a skirt.  All level sewists can enjoy making it and wearing it.

Worn with Christine Jonson Travel Trio Pants

Both M6964 and M6963 t-shirt knit tops were a great way to close out my sewing projects for 2019.  They were easy and quick.  To start the new year I have two great looking tops to coordinate with other separates in my wardrobe.


Happy Sewing!
C

Baby It's Cold Outside - But I'm Keeping Warm in Christine Jonson Funnel Neck Top -Travel Trio 2

On one of my calls to my mama earlier during the week.  She answered the phone singing to me,  "Baby it's cold outside."  Then she chuckled and asked how were we getting along with the cold weather.  Well we are getting along.  It's to be expected for the Chicagoland area.  It's the coldest in January and February.  But tomorrow we will get a heat wave, high in the 20's.  By the weekend it will be about 40 degrees.  I'm glad we are getting close to tolerable temps.

Living in the mid-west all of my life, I know what to expect during the months of January and February.  So for the month of January, my goal was to concentrate on making some separates to beef up my winter gear.  Sure I have some turtlenecks and warm pants ready in my closet, but many are worn and need to be replaced.  So last week, I make this cute little funnel neck top, pattern designed by Christine Jonson.

I bought all three of her Travel Trio patterns way back in 2011 when Rhonda created the Travel Trio Challenge for the Haute Couture Club 2011-2012 Fashion Show.  I only made the Travel Trio One.  This year I'm revisiting the Trio patterns to enhance my wardrobe.  They are great basics.

In Trio Two:

• Funnel Neck top- close-fitting top with 3/4 length sleeves (with sleeve band) and funnel neck.
• Wrap Skirt- semi-fitted skirt with self-fabric ties that wrap around the back and tie in the front skirt may be made reversible.
• Hoodie- Hooded, loose-fitting jacket with long sleeves.  Jacket is fastened at top with button and self-fabric loop.  Jack may be made reversible.

Sizes 4 to 22; I used 14 with modifications

My Fabric is from FabricMart Fabrics.  It's a jersey poly/cotton knit with 30% 4-way stretch and great recovery.  Love it.  I still have about 2.5 yards left to make something else.

There are only three pattern pieces for the funnel neck top:  front/back, sleeve and sleeve band.  I didn't like the idea of using the one pattern for the front and back.  Because my front and back are different shapes and sizes.  So I traced off two copies of the front/back pattern and adjusted each for my body shape and measurements.

For the front, I wanted to test to see if I could get away again without making a bust dart.  So I adjusted the curve of the lower armscye and side above and at the bust area and tapered back to the size 14.

For the back I created a center back seam and made a swayback adjustments and adjusted the curve of the mid and lower armscye.

The sleeve doesn't have notched for the front and back.  I didn't like that either.  So I added them.  I think the shape of the front arm and back arm are different.  So for the back I added just a little more for the mid and lower armhole area.  The sleeve cap did not have the excessive amount of ease as the big four commercial patterns, which was a plus.  And the shoulder seam wasn't an inch too long either.  Two pluses.


Once I made my adjustments and cut out my funnel top, it took about 1.5 hours to make.  Super easy and all sewists can make it.

I really like how this funnel neck top turned out.  It's great for the winter; it keeps your neck and chest nice and warm.

Will I make it again.  You bet I will.  One of my goals this year is to look at ways to maximize the use of my patterns.  With this basic funnel neck top I could change the sleeve and/or make it into a simple knit dress.

More later on using this simple, but versatile pattern.

Happy Sewing!
C

Parting Shots:  My wearing Simplicity 8643