I made a wearable muslin of the top from this Vogue coordinates pattern package last spring, and loved it. NowI finally made it up as a ‘real’ garment.
I don’t know why it’s been so overlooked. I can’t find any reviews online. Let me correct that:
The sleeve construction is very cool. Kind of like a raglan-sleeve, only flutter style, and at the back it’s joined in towards the middle so you get this overlap.
The back shaping is totally awesome. I know that makes me sound like Jem. I do not care. There are four pieces, fitting snugly through the back and then flaring out at the hips.
The whole thing is cut on the bias so, if you choose a good drapey fabric, you will have a flattering fit.
The front has no darts; they’ve been rotated out to gathers at the neckline, which provide shaping while still giving plenty of room to get the shirt on and off.
And it is lined, and the lining is joined in such a way as to get all of the seams inside the lining, so no seam finishing is required.
It is a lovely, woven pullover top without closures and with good shaping.
My first wearable muslin was a bit loose in the waist for my liking, and a bit snug through the bust. So this time I added an inch–cut the pattern in half horizontally below the armscye, cut the top half in half vertically, slid each 3/4″ out from the centre line, taped them back down, then trued them up with the waist a size down. I gathered in from the same points on the neckline so I didn’t have to change the facing pieces at all. I also added an inch to the outside of the sleeve to account for my shoulders. The only thing I would change on this new fit is that the back is a bit loose at the armscye. I’d snug that up a bit next time, maybe 1/2″ on each side. And yes, there will be a next time on this top; I just love it. It is comfy, classy, flattering and easy. A bit time consuming due to all the pieces involved, and take some care when attaching the lining to the armscyes, but follow the directions and be patient and it will all work out.
This was made up with Fabricland (the Canadian one) floral rayon challis on sale–so not fancy!–and lined with the same in a solid white. It’s incredibly soft and drapey and a real pleasure to wear.
Zoopolis 
thanks for the review! That is so pretty and the design of the flutter sleeves is ingenious.
Thanks, Robin. 🙂
By the way, I tried to comment on your last post and I couldn’t. 😦 Just kept sending me back to the preview page when I hit publish. Do you know what’s up?
really? It sounds like an issue in blogger because I am pretty familiar with all the settings. Needless to say, there isn’t a setting for that – it sounds like a glitch. When we encounter stuff like that at my day job, we ask what browser were you using and maybe try a different one?
It didn’t work when I tried it on IE right now (normally I use Chrome). Not sure what’s up, but thought you’d like to know in case I’m not the only one having that issue. I’m able to comment on other blogspot blogs so I don’t think it’s a wordpress/blogger issue.
I went to google support and looked for an answer, and so far, I see nothing helpful. Just one more suggestion, use an “in cognito” window and see if that works. If it does, then you may need to clear your cache and cookies. I am sure you already know this. but in the interest of being thorough, click on the icon in the upper right hand corner of Chrome (they call this icon a “hamburger”) and select New Incognito Window.
I’ll try it and let you know. 🙂
That shirt is GORGEOUS.
Thanks, Liz. 🙂
Very pretty. Great fabric.
Thanks, Jen. 🙂
Hi Andrea, I’ve often looked at that pattern and loved the look of it so I’m sooo glad you’ve done a review! I like that it’s cut in the bias – for a very taut synthetic fabric that’s a great way to achieve ‘stretch’. I too have some drapery fabric in my stash which I bought about two years ago as I was hoping to get back into sewing after an >20 year break. It’s inspiring to see you made up the pattern I’ve been admiring. It looks really good, too and yes it IS very flattering. It’s almost like a peplum too. But down south in Sydney Aus we’re coming into winter … so I might wait till spring before I start on that top. I loved the look of the jacket too. Smart without being too formal (depending on the fabric) or boxy. Thank you so much for the review.
Thanks, Wynn. 🙂 I’m glad you liked it.