Simplicity 3887

Talk about a fast & easy top! This is a super fast project, and it turned out very nice. I plan to wear it today, in fact!


I made View C with short sleeves in a very lightweight cotton gauze. The fabric is aqua, white and olive stripes and there's a tiny silver thread running through every 2 inches or so. It has kind of a sparkle when it hits the light, but not "Disco Queen" shiny so all's good. I also added a bit of lace trim, mainly because I had a piece the exact correct length lying beside the sewing machine from a different project.

If you look really close at the neckline, you'll notice it's a teeny bit distorted. I did interface the neckband, but it still stretched out. I think this was the fabric more than my technique (lalalala). Next time I'll staystitch the neckband piece before applying the neckband facing. Here's a closeup of the neckband and lace trim.


I'm so glad I went ahead and made the tie belt! Without it we're definitely talking maternity wear!


I think it's a combination of the pale colors, round neckline and cutesy puff sleeves that give it that "new mama" appearance. The tie belt really makes all the difference!

On the subject of the tie belt, it's pretty dang long. I cut it longer than the pattern, worried it would be too short, then ended up shortening it even more. I don't want to be tripping over tie ends (I'm sort of exaggerating.)

One last thing, I did add a small FBA to this pattern. I rotated the dart to the neckline (which is gathered all around.) You would think maybe you could get by without one in this style, but I think I would have gotten pulling and even more distortion around the neckline.

Adrienne & I have been talking about doing a sew-along for the BWOF sundress from 6/07 (see yesterday's post for the line drawing.) We've both got beach vacations planned, but I think this is just the cutest summer sundress, even without sand and surf. Anybody want to join us?