I have decided that my biggest issue with Hot Patterns is how LONG their pattern names are!  So many words!  This is technically the Hot Patterns Fast & Fabulous Kimono Blouson T.

The pattern description is as follows: Take your T-shirt game to the next level with this elegant style, designed for fluid, drape-y knit and woven fabrics like rayon, modal or silk(y) jersey, or georgette, crepe, crinkle or double gauze, charmeuse or rayon challis.

Relaxed-fit pull-on T has a narrow self-fabric bound jewel neckline, a center back seam and cut-on elbow length kimono sleeves finished with self fabric hem bands. We’ve transformed that essential bust shaping into soft gathers at the front hip-band; keyhole openings at each side seam allow the self fabric ties to close easily at each side.

This T is the perfect dressy-casual piece…depending on your fabric choices, this one is going to become your favorite going-out top, an easy way to dress up your weekend jeans, or the perfect vehicle for a treasured special fabric. Rock this fabulous T with chic city-shorts, a crisp tailored pant, or make an
elegant two-piece dress or jumpsuit with a skirt or flowing pants in the same fabric.

I always enjoy the descriptions on Hot Patterns designs.  They really do help with visualising the possibilities of the pattern.

I usually buy Hot Patterns as pdf downloads.  Postage on the hard copy patterns from the USA is a killer.   I have learned a few things about doing this. Most important – order the format appropriate for your paper size. For me, that is A4. If you order the other format it just doesn’t work properly and sticking the pattern sheets together will absolutely do your head in. It took me a while to figure this out after having a few of the free Hot Patterns from the Fabric.com website. They are all formatted for letter size paper, and it was hell trying to work out where to leave gaps and where to overlap. Save yourself hassle and ensure that your pattern is the right one for your printer.

The other thing about Hot Patterns that you need to be careful with is the sizing.
I sewed this in size 10, despite my measurements suggesting size 14.  It’s still loose, but that is design ease.  As a point of comparison, I generally sew size 12 in Style Arc tops and often size 12 – 14 in Vogue/McCalls/Butterick etc.  It really reinforces how important it is not to necessarily go by the size suggested by the body measurements on the envelope but to double check the actual pattern pieces and choose the size with the ease that you prefer.  Sometimes this will be the same size as on the envelope, but other times it definitely won’t be.  I will start with size 10 for myself in all Hot Patterns now.

The fabric is a batik sarong that I bought in Bali on my textiles trip last year.  I still have a few more waiting to be transformed into garments. I’m fairly certain that this one is rayon. The hip band is probably a fraction loose on me but that’s because my hips are comparatively small as compared to the rest of me. If I made the pattern again I might grade it down there.

Overall this top is a win. Easy to wear, great print, comfortable and very me.  Now that I’ve worked out Hot Patterns sizing a bit more I’ll definitely be sewing more of their patterns – the styles are always very current.