Patterns with twists really interest me.  They all seem to have their twists constructed slightly differently and place them differently.  I couldn’t resist giving Simplicity 8465 a try.

  Simplicity describe this pattern as follows: Misses’ knit tops and pants pattern in sizes XXS-XXL includes a sweater in two lengths, featuring a twisted front with dropped shoulders and long sleeves with thumb holes.  The pull-on knit pants are slim fit with elastic waistband at side and back, flat in front. Pants also have side pockets and length variations with slits or ties at hem.

I decided to sew the shorter version of the pattern, as I am a shorter person!  The green jacquard knit came from Super Cheap Fabrics.  This was really intended as a fit test / wearable muslin. I sewed size Medium (14-16).

The sleeves are designed super long in order to be worn scrunched up. I’m not sure that is terribly practical for me, and I suggest that you take sleeve length into consideration if you plan on sewing this pattern.

I really like that front twist – it sits beautifully in this soft knit. Construction was shared between the sewing machine and the overlocker. I used a zig-zag to secure all hems.

Now, all that I can see when I look at these photos is the way that the centre front curve exposes my centre front curve! I’m just not comfortable with that. So this top went into the wardrobe in the spare bedroom to be donated, and I pulled out the pattern and added the length of view A back to the pattern. This time I gave it a go in a wool lace knit (also from Super Cheap Fabrics).

Oh, so much better! I felt much more comfortable in this version. Being lace, and wool, this version is really more of a sweater than a top.

The hems were trickier in this fabric. I really need to go back and shorten the sleeves to wrist length, as the fabric doesn’t have the recovery for them to scrunch up effectively. The centre front twist has still worked effectively.

This top is still in my wardrobe, but writing this blog post has reminded me that I need to pull it out and shorten the sleeves. I also need to sew this again, and get the combination of pattern length and fabric just right. I’ll use a more fluid knit that has good recovery, because I like the overall fit. I want to be able to wear it as a top, rather than a sweater. Maybe I’ll even give it a go without the long sleeves, and wear it as a summer tunic?  I’d love to try it in a stripe – it would do interesting things in combination wtih the twist.  I might try it with the front hemline straightened out too.  Ah, so many ideas, so little time to execute them all!