As I mentioned yesterday, I also made myself the Gwen Top–part of the Unbiased Collection from Pattern Anthology. It comes as a top, or a dress with a button placket or without, long or short sleeves AND there is even a bonus pencil skirt pattern. Can you say versatile? I’m excited to try out the pencil skirt but haven’t gotten around to it. I’m halfway tempted to go on a complete pattern diet and see if I can make everything I need just from this one pattern. Just to see if I can do it. As you can see, I opted for a short-sleeved Gwen henley top. I’ve been wanted to figure out how to make a nice henley-style placket for a long time. It’s details like a beautiful placket are the kinds of things that draw me to off-the-rack clothing so I’m trying to learn how to incorporate them into my sewn items. This cuff placket was my starter course, so to speak.
This top comes to gather in a really straightforward way. I did adapt the pattern a little after making my wearable muslin (scroll down to see that if you can’t wait). For starters I combined the neckband with the placket where the pattern has them as one or the other. I decreased the size of the placket by 1/2″ on each side and also decreased the size of the neckband by 1/2″. For both I used a double gauze woven fabric instead of knit. I wanted a slightly less exaggerated look. The neckband does sit upright rather than lying against my body, which bothered me at first but from the pictures I gathered that it is designed that way and I’ve gotten used to it.
This picture is just to prove that I am capable of looking straight at the camera and smiling. I don’t have to gaze wistfully at the ground. Of course, getting this shot took a lot more work than the the ground-lookers and it makes the placket look crooked, which it isn’t.
Back to the shirt, I also altered the sleeve hem by adding a raw-edged strip of jersey that I topstitched. Not for any real reason, just because I liked it a wee bit longer.
The striped fabric is the same soft, slinky rayon jersey from Imagine Gnats that I used on my Lane Raglan Hoodie. The placket is made in beautiful Nani Iro from Miss Matatabi.
For my wearable muslin, I didn’t make any alterations and I have to say the scoop of the neckline is gorgeous.
Overall, though, I’m not thrilled with this shirt. That’s ok. It’s my muslin after all. It somehow seemed too long in this light-colored fabric and the sleeves are too short on my arms. I love the faux-raglan look though and will probably make more using that style. (Yet another thing this pattern offers!)
This picture really highlights how the length is just odd in this color fabric. What exactly is happening to my torso! If I make another in light colors, I’d have to shorten it.
Today is the last day that the Unbiased Collection is being sold a steep discount and they are having a crazy good contest for people who buy it this week! Be sure to check that out. A purchase before the end of the day also comes with a bunch of great coupons and a wardrobe planner. In addition to all that, the size range on this collection is from XXS to XXXL, which I personally think is fantastic. If you are sewing your own clothes you should be able to sew in your size whether it is larger or smaller than what fashion thinks of as “standard”.
Note: I was given this pattern for free but my opinions are all my own, as always. I was not paid for this post, just asked very nicely and I have nothing to gain if you decide to purchase the collection, I just think it’s a good deal.
erin says
Your top is cute! I don’t think the issue with the muslin is the length – I think it is the proportion of the placket to the rest of it. It’s not to scale – it makes everything else look off, in my opinion. I love how you adjusted it in the striped one. And using the double gauze was a great idea!
Melissa Q. says
Oh my gosh! You are exactly right. I even want to keep tweaking the placket and make it even smaller.