Used some more of my Hobby Lobby knit fabric to try this pattern out — I was curious about view F. I decided on a size 22, giving me some ease, versus the Knit negative ease. I have found with my excess weight I feel uncomfortable with clothing that sticks to me, or clings in any way. It is hard to determine how much is enough and how much is too much for my comfort level though. It has been interesting to determine, and learn what I like as a heavier person.

So there is the front view — items on the fit — the bust is low for me, so the gathers are slightly below where they should be — the gathers on the center front cause too much of a puff of fabric, this would be better if it was gathered or distributed in a larger area of the front. Once you get past those two items it fits nicely and will be a comfortable top. I’m just not sure how much I’m lovin’ the dots — when I seen the fabric I loved it — but now in a top and on me it seems a little over the top.

This up close picture is to show the neckline area, the pattern called for interfacing along the neckline area — but I hate interfacing in my knits — so I used broadcloth. I wasn’t sure if the interfacing was necessary in the top but can say that offers more support in the neckline and the way they designed it. Some areas I didn’t interface or use facing pieces, the keyhole area, I simply flipped back the fabric and sewed it down.

I wanted to show the back, the pattern has seams down the center back of the bodice and the back skirt. These seams could allow for sway back adjustments, but I think mostly they simply ended up that way because of fabric usage; there would have been an extreme amount of wasted fabric if they had been placed on the fold.

My overall conclusion on the top is an ‘okay’ — I’ll wear the top, probably even to work, but not sure it will make the favorite list — and know it won’t be a make again shirt.

On another note — I like to sew by cutting out several items at a time, sometimes as many as a dozen! I simply find I’m more productive if I do items in phases — I go through the patterns, prep each one I plan on using, checking measurements, making alterations, etc —- then I cut all the items out — then I can spend weeks sewing!! One item after another — I love the sewing part, not so much the alterations and cutting out. So — I have finished my last stack of items (all the Hobby Lobby knits I bought) and I will finish posting all my items here! While I’m doing that you might hear about the items I am also cutting out. I also did some sewing last summer that I didn’t get posted so I’ll be adding them — because they are some great top patterns that are still being sold this summer.

So keep checking back !! And I’ll keep writing!!

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Edited: May 16, 2013

I think there is something to say about putting an item in the closet and re-thinking the item. I decided to wear this top to work, see how it feels, in the end I do like this top! Now would I make changes still, yes I would — the bust line is a little too low (who thunk with a 50 year old body), I would still re-do the gathering so it isn’t directly over the fullest part of my tummy, but spread out across the lower midriff area — and on the final note I would size it down a little — but the fabric is fun, the top is comfortable and overall still fits me better than ready-to-wear!