I am still sharing garments that I sewed while at Sewjourn in May.  That would be okay if I hadn’t still been sewing more garments since then….anyway, this top is the Style Arc Issy Knit Top.

From the Style Arc website: ISSY KNIT TOP: This knit top can be made long-sleeved or sleeveless. The clever neck drape gives this top a distinctive look, while the angled rouching at the side seam is flattering across the front. This fabulous design can be worn casually or dressed up. FABRIC SUGGESTION: Baby wool or any soft knit with a good stretch component.

I’ve seen some fabulous versions of this top – including some lengthened to a dress. And Style Arc are right – it is a clever neck drape. This top was surprisingly straight forward to construct. There are minimal pattern pieces – front, back, sleeves – and they all fold and fit exactly as they should. It was very quick to sew.

The fabric is a lovely warm wool knit from Clear It – I think that a number of fellow Melbournians have it in their stash. It was beautiful to sew and is lovely to wear. I sewed size 12, my usual Style Arc top/dress size. However, I’m not thrilled with the way that this fits me.

Other than the wrinkles at the mid to lower back – and I know that we’ve all seen those before – I think it doesn’t sit as well around the neckline and shoulders on me as it does on many other people. I think that I’d need to make more alterations to fit this pattern better to my shape. Of course, it “fits” me in that I can get it on me and wear it without any issues, but overall it’s not great – the shoulder width especially.

I am also super conscious of my gut in this top. The side ruching, and the angled hemline, should theoretically “flatter” my shape, but all that I see when I look at these photos is my midsection. Which is a shame, because I do like the colour on me, and the fabric and style lines are great. Just not on me.

As it turns out, my friend Rachel tried this top on when we were on Sewjourn – and it looks FANTASTIC on her. So today I’ll be putting it in the post and sending it to her. We often wear the same size, but she’s taller, has broader shoulders, and none of my midsection bulges. So my Issy top will still get a lot of love.

Continuing with what appears to be a theme for me this winter – overlayers without sleeves – I recently purchased and sewed The Hot Patterns Fast and Fabulous Jetsetter Poncho.

The description from their website:  A cozy top layer for those chilly days, this super-glam poncho is perfect for medium to heavy-weight fabrics with a little drape,like ponte or double knits, boucle, sweater knits, sweat-shirting or even fleece.

Oversized, relaxed fit, pull-over poncho has a paneled front & back, shaped armholes with facing and a cowl neck.

Make this simply gorgeous style in your favorite cool-weather colors and wear it over slim tailored pants or distressed jeans…this one bridges the gap between too-cool-for-a-sweater, not-cold-enough-for-a-coat weather.

Your funky poncho goes dog walking in the park, snuggles you whilst watching the ball-game and adds that essential cozy layer when you’re jetting off somewhere fabulous.

I took a bit of a punt with the fabric that I used, a very soft wool/acrylic blend knit from Super Cheap Fabrics, and it has definitely affected the success of this project. It’s a little too thin, stretchy and drapey for this poncho. See that bit in the description about perfect for medium to heavy-weight fabrics? That’s not what I used.

I did rather like the pattern. The shaping is nice, as are the arm opening facings. It’s not a restrictive garment. But I really do need to sew it again in a more suitable fabric. I’ve still been wearing it, but it’s not as it should be. Which is all due to my fabric choice. It’s a lovely fabric, and I’ve used it successfully for other garment styles.  Lesson will be learned one day!