Hello Readers!

Hope you are enjoying the long weekend (assuming you get one). I have taken the whole of next week off too, so I have got 10 days in which to get some sewing done. Bliss. Today I am sharing something fun which I have not yet had the chance to wear 🙂 It’s McCalls 7627, which is a Laura Ashley pattern. Before anyone asks, you cannot get the Laura Ashley patterns here in the UK – nor can you order them to be shipped to the UK from the USA McCalls pattern website. I don’t know the reason why. I purchased my copy of this pattern when I was in the States  last year.

I know this blouse is not going to be for everyone. It’s a pretty full on look with the wrap front, oversized waist tie, peplum, and in the version that I made, a series of tiered pleats down the length of the sleeves. But I kind of love it. Like I say, I haven’t had the chance to wear it yet, but I just think it’s a different take on a white shirt. I love the v-neck front and I love the statement sleeves. BTW, I notice a similar shaped top currently selling for £220 on the Cefinn website; don’t sew the pleats and you get a similar look for a lot less price! #justsaying

Couple of things you need to know about this top: it’s fabric hungry! I ordered 5 metres of 150cm wide cotton poplin, and whilst there is a longish strip left over, this was the right amount to order. The sleeve pattern piece itself measures almost a metre in length (see here for a picture) and those waist ties are long!

The other thing you need to know is that I did a 1 inch FBA on the bodice front. Now, I have done many, many FBAs in my time, but never one that brought in such a huge bust dart: it measured almost 4 inches in width!! I did panic slightly. Either this top as drafted is for a very small cup, or it was just because of the shape of the bodice? I don’t know. Either way, I rotated the dart into the shoulder and converted the fullness to gathers. The FBA also lengthened the front by 2.5 inches: check out my full review below, but basically, if you do this you need to also lengthen your front facing pieces and increase the front peplum to match the FBA. The end result is that my top feels very secure with no gaping. Look:

Pattern Review

Pattern Description: 

Fitted tops and dresses have sleeve and length variations

I made view B which features a true wrap front bodice with wide waist ties and back darts, sleeves with tiered pleats and gathered openings sewn into cuffs and a peplum.

Pattern Sizing:

6 – 22

I cut a size 18 through the shoulders and bust and graded out over the waist.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Yes.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I love the finished top. It’s a very unique take on a white shirt (at least my version). Nothing to dislike. It’s a great sew.

Fabric Used:

White cotton poplin. I found I had to use a size 70 Schmetz needle to sew this fabric.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

• I added 3 cm to the depth of the peplum. I let the peplum hang once I had finished sewing the top for a couple of days prior to levelling the hem and hemming. I definitely wouldn’t want it any shorter.
• I did a 1 inch FBA which brought in a bust dart which measured a massive 4 inches in width! I rotated the dart into the shoulder and converted the fullness to gathers. The FBA also lengthened the front by 2.5 inches (again, my usual FBA’s which are never more than 1 inch would not normally lengthen by this much), so I lengthened the front facing accordingly and also increased the width of the front peplum by 1 inch to match the FBA.
• 0.5 inch sway back adjustment, adding removed length to back peplum hem.
• Staystitched neckline – instructions don’t mention this.
• Moved position of tie up.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

I think I can say I won’t sew this particular view again: it’s such a distinctive look. I might try one of the other views? Maybe? Yes, I recommend if you like this look.

Conclusion: 

A great statement top to wear with jeans, and a very interesting sew.

Until soon…