It's Spring and Time for a Tie Back Top Using Simplicity 1373

It's Spring! Yay! Here in Texas, these are our beautiful weather days. We have temps in the '70's and '80's with cool breezes and low humidity. It is the weather we wish for in July when all of that changes. I enjoyed the look of my Dutch Wax peplum top and decided to make a casual take on the style. 

            

For this top, I chose to sew Simplicity 1373

                       

This misses' sportswear pattern includes slim pants and shorts plus tops with 2 different back interest styles & subtle peplum. For a great fit the top either buttons or ties at back, has front and back darts & a side zipper. I made the tie back top with subtle peplum as seen in view B. I have nothing like this in my wardrobe. I sewed it up in a cotton fabric from my stash. I bought it almost 5 (eek!) years ago.

My pattern sizing ranges from 6-12. I made the 12 as is standard for this brand. Now that is is made, I feel like I could have made a 10 for the top portion and a 12 for the peplum. I very rarely have to make pattern adjustments. This pattern had me thinking that I may need to consider a SBA. I am tumbling toward 40 and had 2 kids so the "girls" aren't what they were. The bust/shoulder area is too loose for me. Rather than question my body, I will chuck this sizing issue up to the pattern for now.

                 

 I like that the sweetheart neckline is not too low. The fit of the peplum is pretty good. The tie back is almost wide enough to cover the width of my bra.

Tie Back

The instructions were easy to follow, but very time-consuming. The straps and upper peplum are all trimmed in bias tape before being put together. As I was working on the pieces, I had the thought “I could have made a dress by now.” It was a bit fiddly with the stitching and stitching again.

Bias Tape Finishing on inside.

Invisible Zipper

It was impossible for me to achieve the correct fit by tying it myself. I got dressed after my hubby left for work and had to ask my 6-year old to give me a hand. Her tying it was enough to get me dressed, but I felt the shoulders did not fit. I finally asked a friend at my son’s school to tie me up. When tied, I feel it is still too loose at my shoulders. It looks fine, but I feel they will fall down at any time. They are too wide and long.

I will not sew this one again. It is cute and I like this one, but given the time, I will not. I would have to spend more time shortening and narrowing the straps to get the right fit. If you like it and would not need to make these changes, I say go for it. I like the look of the pants and shorts in the pattern. I will give them a try, so stayed tuned.

Happy Sewing and Happy Easter,
Bianca