Inspiration from a 80’s rock band anyone?! This top is a first “wearable” muslin of the Vernazza Color-Block Top. It’s not perfect, but I like the front panel and colour-blocking so I decided to take photos anyhow! This pattern is from the book: Just for You, that I recieved as part of my Sewlebrity Sewalong post in January. I have finally gotten around to making another project from it, and finished just in time to be part of May’s Sewalong.

Since it was Made be Me May last month, I was looking for another top to sew for myself so I could round out the photos I was taking. It so happened that I read a post on Sew Can She’s blog and remembered that I could make this top. I had also just picked up a knit panel at the fabric store and was trying to find somewhere to use it.

Thoughts on the pattern:

• It’s well laid out and written.
• The photo instructions are very clear.
• Includes tips to make your top look less handmade. (Which I failed to do because my knit hemming/top stitching skills need lots of practice!)

Here are a few things I love about it:

• It’s really well thought out and explained pattern.
• Comes in sizes XS-XL.
• Uses proper techniques to finish seams etc.
• The style of the top is different, I don’t know of many other top patterns that have side panels.

Thoughts on the fit:

• LOVE that it fits pretty well. Especially on the front. The back is a bit large, but that could be because I altered the pattern quite a bit (see below).
• I find that I generally should have made one size down from whatever I think I need on most patterns. Not sure if I am bad at measuring myself or if I tend to like a more fitted finished product.

Things I changed from the original pattern:

• I removed the color blocking from the back to save a bit of time when sewing it. This probably altered the fit quite a bit since I had to curve the pieces a bit to fit them together properly.

Things I might change next time:

• Use a more structured knit. This one was so thin it was hard to hem – as seen in the photos!
• Use hem bands to omit the hemming all together and see how it looks.
• If the hem bands don’t work I’m going to make the sleeves a bit smaller around.
• Try one or two sizes down, or make alterations – this was a first muslin after all!

Reader Feedback: Do you have a favorite sewing book? What project from it do you like the most?

P.S. Hmmm… I wonder what we are doing on our vacation today?! Come over and find out! 

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