Friday, November 25, 2016

Pattern Test: Maggie Knit Top and Dress

Happy Thanksgiving!  Hope everyone has enjoyed time with family and friends and been able to do a bit of reflecting on the good things in your lives.  Top in my list are my husband, my kids, my faith, and my sewing machine.

That last one was a bit tongue in cheek, but I am grateful to be able to sew-for the challenge and satisfaction I get from tackling and completing a project.  And seeing those projects be used and loved!

Anyways...time for another pattern test!  A slim fit knit top, tunic, and dress.

I decided I wanted to test this pattern even though I kind of have a go-to t-shirt pattern because I thought some comparison might do me good.  

The Maggie top doesn't have many bells and whistles, but is a solid pattern.  I helped in the pre-testing phase as well as the testing phase.  Here are some specs about the pattern.


Pattern: Maggie Knit Top and Dress
Designer: Bellan Sunshine Designs
Style: Slim fit t-shirt
Fabric: Knit (Doodles collection from a year ago)
Size Range: 6 mo.-12
Size made: 5 blended to 6 for length
Lengths: 3 (shirt, tunic, dress) shirt length pictured
Sleeve lengths: 3 (short, 3/4, long) long sleeve pictured
Sleeves cut on Fold: yes
Alterations/Hacks: No
Clear Instructions: Easy to follow with illustrations
Seam Allowance: 3/8"
Layers: yes
Trimless: No





I really like Bella Sunshine Design patterns.  Melissa Pendergast (the designer) really tries to get a good fit and is very open to feedback.  Melissa's design aesthetic is vintage/retro-modern.  Which translates into dress hems hitting slightly above the knee.  I did not make the dress option, but know that is where it is intended to hit.

This shirt fits and is drafted well.  Hems have angles accounting for folding up and seams match up.  Shoulder seams at the neckline are not trued which generally gets evened out when you put on the binding-but is a personal pet peeve of mine.  I have not printed out the final pattern but in testing I felt like the neckline needed to a bit higher and more trued (if that's how to say it-approach the fold at perpendicular angle for longer to create less of a 'v' and more of a rounded neckline)  I'm not sure if that feedback was incorporated into the final pattern but are easy for me to adjust on my own for my personal preferences.

All-in-all, a solid pattern I plan to use over and over again!  It may become by go-to for a basic t instead of the Hibernis Cowl Shirt because of the slim fit-which I like for my girls.  Time will tell...

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