Simplicity 4565
Pattern Picture:
Project Photo:
Pattern Rating:
Good wardrobe builder, easy to sew
Pattern Description:
Girls’ Purse, Skirt, and Knit Tops
Pattern Sizing/Sizing Used:
Pattern is girls’ plus size 8 1/2 to 16 1/2, I made a size 10 1/2 on the top adjusted, made a size 14 1/2 on the skirt also altered.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
It mostly looks like the pattern photo; there are the changes I made on purpose though.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Actually, the instructions were fine, personally I didn’t follow the instructions that much, this was so easy peasy to do within a couple of hours
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
DD liked the style of this pattern, I like how easy it was to put together. I also like the fit on this with hardly any alterations.
Fabric & Notions Used:
The top I used a 100% cotton interlock (hence the fading on the top, I believe some how it was washed with some bleach), the skirt is 100% cotton twill, I also included some hot fix jewels on the top. The knit interlock was from Hancock’s, the cotton twill was from Fashion Fabric Club; both bought last summer.
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
On the top I altered 2 items; 1) I slashed & spread the front to increase the waist/tummy area for my dd 2) I lengthened the top to an appropriate length for my dd, to cover the tummy even with arms raised high. On the skirt I made a larger size, altering for the waist to be elastic instead of zipper and faced. Here is the inside of the skirt waist; you can see I used a coordinating broadcloth fabric on the inside. I felt that too much of the twill fabric would be too heavy on the skirt and waist.
I also like to adjust the skirts to sit on my dd’s tilted hips/waist, the push down style she likes. This is easiest to do with this elastic waist, besides trying to fit the plus sized girl with a faced / zipper waist just doesn’t sound like fun. I add the elastic waist at the very end. I have dd try on the skirt; we cut a piece of elastic the correct length, then safety pin the elastic into a circle. We decide on the best placement of the elastic, her for the waist, and me the hemline on her. Once we have the placement where we both like it, I chalk the top of the elastic on the outside of the skirt. When she takes off the skirt I know where the top of the elastic needs to line up too. This works pretty well, is mathematical but is quick for us.
I also did a quick hem, which in turn is no hem on this skirt. DD liked the serged look on many of the RTW skirts so that is what we went with on this one.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I would most definitely sew this again! The top is such a perfect fit with such little slash/spread tummy alteration. I really needed a TNT little knit shirt pattern for dd and I think this is it!
Tips:
I don’t have any additional tips on this besides what I’ve already shown. I did the knit with the sewing machine instead of the serger; I used a small zigzag (0.5 width, 3.0 length) using wooly nylon in the bobbin. I used a twin needle for the sleeve and bodice hems on the top. It is simply my preference to use the sewing machine on the knits, and wooly nylon in the bobbin. I have used my serger on knit many times, but I feel like I have more control with the sewing machine.
Conclusion:
Simply cute and easy to sew little outfit. I actually had enough fabric to make the little purse too in the twill fabric, which DD loves.
