Butterick 5247

This is a pretty popular pattern. I've seen a few versions of it on the internet and there are several reviews for it on PatternReview. Just in case you don't know which pattern it is:

Some Stats:
Fabric: 2 yards of a 100% mohair/wool blend sweater knit from Casual Elegance (A stash fabric that has been stored for several years!)
Notions: Several yards of black foldover satin bias binding

Construction Techniques: First let me say that if this top was sewn straight out of the envelope, it would NOT fit me. The finished bottom width of 51" is too small for me to be comfortable in. So I used a pivot and slide technique to add width to the abdomen and hip area. I wanted to be able to sit comfortably and move about easily in the top.

The second change I made was that my version does not have a cowlneck on it. Not that I didn't want the cowlneck but my fabric was not stretchy enough and I was sold on the fabric after pulling it out of the fabric closet. So I omitted it on this version and added some black satin bias binding to the neckline instead.

Since the fabric has a "holey" appearance, I knew that I would wear a tank top, turtleneck or bodysuit under it with my jeans and I wanted to do something different than just pressing down and stitching the edges. The satin bias binding gives the top a beginning and end adding a little decoration to it also.

Also, my fabric wasn't very wide so my sleeves are bracelet length. I laid the pattern on the fabric and cut to the selvedge edge which gave me a great finish to the sleeves. So I didn't have to hem them and lose any additional fabric there.

Now I have to tell you that I don't like sewing casual clothing. I usually purchase them because I wear them so infrequently and can get whatever I need on sale. However, I really liked this pattern and as I've seen each rendition appear, wanted to make it more and more. It also fit my sewing needs. I wanted to sew badly, but knew that I didn't have the ummmph for a full blown "Carolyn" project. I needed to ease back into it and this top was the perfect project!

It's casual week at work ~ the skeleton staff are working only 2.5 days this week, so jeans are allowed. I've solved my casual work day attire challenge along with jumpstarting my sewing!

I will make this again with the cowlneck and out of a stretchier knit fabric. This pattern has great bones and can be manipulated to make quite a few garments!!! Anyway, I'm mostly glad that I'm sewing again because when I come home New Year's Eve, I'm not scheduled to go back to work until Tuesday, January 6th...so I've got to have some sewing mojo!!!