Simplicity 3692: Built By Wendy

A new summer top...


I was inspired by this summery, cotton top by All Buttoned Up. I was wanting to use a woven too, so her cute variation was like permission! Be sure to visit her blog, she has lots of cute projects and a wry sense of humor I really enjoy. Here's her top (from last summer):


Now just up front I'll admit I wasn't looking for high fashion. I was looking for the easy, simple lines of the Built By Wendy line of clothes and patterns, and I went into this knowing this wasn't going to be super flattering for us chestier types. I'm OK with that. I just want to use some of my pretty 100% cotton prints and there's just so many skirts I can wear in this lifetime!

Now on to the pattern details! There is plenty of ease in this pattern, even though its for a knit. I started out cutting a yoke size 18 just to be safe, but ended up taking out about 5/8" from the front yoke. It was pretty gape-y. I can't imagine how big it would be in a knit, so just be aware.

The neckline was also a lot higher than I expected, and higher than I like. I can live with it, but I've already altered my pattern. Lastly, the armholes are way high and tight. I haven't fixed those yet. I'm going to sit and pick out my armhole bindings tonight while watching tv, then lower those suckers. Once that is fixed, I think I'll lose the bit of pulling under the arm that I get now when wearing the top, because it fits great everywhere except there.

Here's the little tucks I added (in the corner of the squared neckline on each side) to take up the excess neckline. You can't even see them in real life really. Isn't this a cute print?? I LOVE IT. It's from the RJR line of fabrics and is called "Everything but the Kitchen Sink". I think it's so feedsack-ish and reminds me of my Grandma Edna's housedresses. Of course since I was using a sweet calico, I had to add rickrack. Right?


I bound the armholes with a grey cotton fat quarter I had lying around. Lying around because....who needs a grey FQ?? I've got plenty left over to fix the bindings later.


And here's me in my barefoot, cuffed denim glory. I'm sure I'll wear this lots after I fix the armholes. It's too hot and humid to wear much of anything besides cotton!!