Pattern Review: A Stitch Upon A Time’s Flora Top
You may best know A Stitch Upon A Time from their Scrundlewear Ladies Underwear pattern. She recently released the Fix Bundle pairing the cami pattern with their thong pattern…which is what I really wanted to try. Considering my butt shot from the pants pattern I tested has at least three times more views than any other photo I have had on this site I quickly rethought the idea of having shots of me in underwear on the interwebs.
My office is super casual (that’s Colorado for you) and when I saw a stripe hacci sweater knit at my local sew shop it just fell into place. Lately, I’ve been digging the leggings with long top thing; I like how it hides the baby pooch. The Flora Top is great pattern that can go from office to a movie to grocery shopping and is an absolute breeze to cut and sew.
As an off-shoot, I’m currently putting together a quick “working with stripes” post for anyone curious on how I do it.
Pattern Description
The Etsy listing is very well detailed but one thing I wanted to be sure to point out is that there is a maternity option with this pattern. Just 6 short years ago when I was pregnant with my first I would have killed for any maternity pattern that didn’t look like a muumuu from the 60’s. The pattern includes sizes XS-XXXL and has the requisite measurement chart. The options include a shirt length, tunic length and maternity. The sleeves can be made long or short. The other feature of the top is the option of a button down back for added detail. And no, you won’t have to unbutton all the buttons to get out of it. The neck opening is roomy enough to just slide it on and off over your head. I plan on trying the buttons next but this hacci knit was too thin to support that in my opinion.
Pattern Set-Up & Instructions
The pattern has all the usual information one would expect; Recommended materials and notions, fabric yardage requirements, how to print and assemble, size chart based on actual measurements as well as finished measurements. I actually like this size information as finished length isn’t something one can really tell from the size chart so it’s nice, extra information to have. The pattern also has a Quick Page Reference table.
The Flora pattern does have the layer feature: the linework for each size on the actual pattern pieces has its own layer. When you open the PDF, there is a layers option and you will see you can turn on or off any size you want. This is great for pattern pieces that are nested. Here’s the deal, though, the individual sizes aren’t actually nested in this pattern so it’s a nice feature, but the better feature is that the pages you need to print for a particular size are already listed in the Quick Page Reference at the beginning of the pattern instructions. So win, win I say.
Here’s another thing I like about the instructions: the seam allowance cannot be missed. It’s listed first thing in bold letters. I cannot tell you how much it irritates me when I have to hunt for 15 minutes just to find the seam allowance.
I implore you to prewash your fabric. Especially if you get a cheap knit like I did. The pattern calls for 7/8 yd of fabric for my size and I erred on the side of caution and bought 1-1/4 yds. After prewashing it shrunk to a yard and decreased in width. Thankfully I had just enough for the top but actually had to use a piece of cotton/spandex for the neckband.
Sewing
This pattern goes together so ridiculously quick I felt like I was cheating. I would highly recommend this pattern to beginners. There are only 3 pieces to this pattern and it does not involve having to set sleeves. Even though the pattern calls for the fabric to have a small amount of spandex or rayon for drape, If you’re new to knits, I would suggest trying it with an interlock. Interlock doesn’t curl at the edges after being cut like jersey does and in general are more stable. Because interlocks are a double knit, though, they certainly will not have the same drape. The hacci I used is a poly/rayon blend and it worked well but the fabric wanted to naturally curl where the stripe colors met which made hemming the curve slightly challenging as it kept wanting to fold right at the stripe.
Fit
My measurements put me in the small category. Which is typical for all women’s patterns I have sewn and it falls in line with my RTW sizing. I tried the tunic length and like the coverage in the rear that it gives me and where it falls on my thigh in front. It fits exactly as the pattern description describes; tight up top then gradually flares towards the bottom. You’ll also notice there’s a slight “frill” to the sleeves as they lay on the arms. I really like the scoop on the front as it’s wonderfully modest yet flattering.
Click on photos for larger image. Photos courtesy of BKingFOTO.
You can find hacci sweater knit at Girl Charlee. The one in my photos is from JoAnn.
Giveaway and Coupon Code!
Through the end of April 2015, use the code RedDogStudio20 for 20% off your order! 20%!!! Good at A Stitch Upon a Time’s Etsy shop. This is not an affiliate link and I do not receive compensation when someone uses this code.
Want to win your very own Flora Top!? Or any of the other A Stitch Upon a Time sewing patterns?
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- Grand Prize: One pattern of your choice from A Stitch Upon a Time’s pattern collection found in their Etsy shop.
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