Remember this scarf neck top? Well here’s my review as it’s all sewn and sitting in my wardrobe looking pretty!

Pattern Description:
Polka dots from the Sixties add up to a high score again, as on this sleeveless top with soft tie collar.

Pattern Sizing:
I made a 38. I like Burda sizing, it seems to be quite body skimming and fashionable.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
I prefer my fabric, but my garment certainly has the same feel as the sample one.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Tracing the pattern out was easier than I expected. When I unfolded the original there were a rats nest of lines everywhere but once I identified the pieces I needed and mentally traced them out I could see them more clearly. I traced onto waxed lunch paper using a black texta and managed to get black all over my hands! Now I’m in the market for something that doesn’t smudge but still has a fine point and can mark waxed paper. My pattern pieces look rather amateur, but I think they’ll do the job. This stage took about 2 hours.

Cutting out the pattern took me another 2 hours. I forgot to make patterns for the armhole bindings marked (a) in the instructions so I had to go back and do this at this stage. They were easy, but should have been made when I was preparing the pattern pieces. This was my first attempt at cutting fabric on the bias.

Following the instructions? Well, it all was understandable until I got to the collar. I just couldn’t work out how to begin. It took me 2 hours (!!!) to work out how to position and pin the collar to sew the first seam, even before I got to making the casing on the end. Once I’d done that, it all started to make sense and fall into place. Although fitting the rest of the collar was fiddly, once I’d got the first seam pinned correctly, I was able to visualise what was needed and everything went smoothly, taking another 3 hours to get the collar completed. The rest of the garment was dead easy and the instructions were fine. If you’re making this, I recommend pinning the collar only until you get that lightbulb moment when it all makes sense, and only then start to sew. Less unpicking that way!

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Likes: Love the distinctive style. Just because I’m a beginner doesn’t mean I want to make something that looks basic and this top looks anything but. I actually think I ended up with a garment that looks quite designer and I’ll be proud to wear it.
Dislikes: The collar instructions. My brain still hurts from figuring out this! Doing the actual sewing was easy, but working out what the instructions meant was very difficult.

Fabric Used:
Blue print satin fabric without stretch (”Sundance Low Sheen Satinflower Navy”). It was great fun to have the opportunity to use a retro style fabric.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
No changes made - I’m not quite up to making any changes yet!

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I would sew it again if I could work out a way to make it look different enough from this one. I’m in love with this top! I recommend this as a good beginner project. The fabric was easy to work with, there were few pattern pieces, and the result looked stylish.

Conclusion:
This was great fun, it inspired me to continue on my sewing journey. And on a side note - I’m sure I saw one of the teachers from the television show “Ladette to Lady” Season 2 wearing this exact top.