Chain Link Print Top - New Look 6838

Pattern: New Look 6838 (reissued as New Look 6402)

Pattern Description: Knit tops with neckline and sleeve options and drawstring pants.

Pattern Sizing: Size A (XS-XL) I cut a small, which corresponds to size 10-12.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, after I made some alterations.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, very simple.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I loved the slight curve of the boatneck option in this pattern.

 
Fabric Used: A light-weight red, black, and white patterned Lycra jersey knit (free) from the DC/VA/MD swap and Pellon Easy-Knit fusible interfacing.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

When I made this pattern before I found the neckline was too wide to stay on my shoulders. This time I added half an inch to the inside edge of the shoulders on front and back. I  took the time to reinforce the shoulder seams by fusing knit interfacing to the seam allowances. I also fused it along the neckline curves because I used that technique in another knit top and the neckline has stood up to constant wear. Even so, there was some stretching at the neck so I folded the hem in place and steamed the ease out of the fabric as I shaped the neckline.

The first time I attempted this pattern, the back was extra wide because the pattern had an extra inch added to the width on the back pattern piece only.That did not work for me especially since my back is actually narrower than my front. Therefore, I customized the back piece narrowing it at the center and scooping in the curve, beginning at the neckline. I also fused the hems of the sleeves like the neckline to make them more durable.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes. However, I can not recommend this pattern. I think you will receive better results if you either draft your own pattern or buy another basic t-shirt pattern.  This one might not fit you straight out of the envelope. I do recommend that when you buy a t-shirt pattern that you choose one with a center back seam for shaping and for dealing with swayback issues.

Conclusion: Another great knit t-shirt. My goal is a whole wardrobe of them. I have a great medium weight black & white Lycra knit stripe all ready for the next one.

Images: my own (It was hard to get the color correct on the modeled photos though that swatch of fabric is the real deal.)

Fall/Winter Wardrobe: A Fantasy, Perhaps?

Yeah, a fantasy. I just realized that I can't fantasize about any other items of clothing because I still have all of these projects (most with fabric in my stash) lined up. However, look, I added those ones on the bottom row. They were put on there because of some new fabrics at Joanns that they would look great in and I have been wanting those Marcy Tilton pants in a nice ponte forever. There's even a great stretch sateen print for another pair of cigarette pants. Of course, there can't be another pair if I still haven't tackled the first pair, right?

My new resolution is not to say I can't buy any more fabric ('cause that's ridiculous, right?!) but that if I do, then that item has to be made immediately, no delays, no waiting in the stash. The new fabric will be brought home, washed, pressed, lain out, and cut, and sewn in quick succession.

Click to see bigger

 

Let's see if I can follow through on that pledge, it's been getting harder and harder every day.

This past weekend, a friend and I checked out local ritzy clothing store The Phoenix and I tried on a few of their more experimental pieces, from Ronen Chen and Just Jill. These pieces had unusual seam lines, asymmetry, and unexpected volume, very similar to the designs by Mizono, Marcy Tilton, and Sandra Betzina in Vogue Patterns. Now I'm tempted to try some of those but that would require purchasing some double knits in colors other than black. So who knows when I'll ever make them up but at the next Vogue pattern sale, I'm still going to pick up Vogue 1234 and Vogue 1312 just in case.

  

  

Photos for reference