Third Time Lucky – Simplicity K1620AA

So many good choices to make from this pattern …

This is my third attempt at making Simplicity K1620 and I am finally happy enough with the results to share them! I decided to make view B as it’s a great shape for me, and I love the fact that it can look casual with jeans or more business-y tucked in to a pencil skirt. The first one I made of these was the first time I had done pleats or worked with a crepe Georgette, and although passable, there were too many mistakes for me to feel happy wearing it. Good job the fabric cost about 3 euros from the remnant bin! Let’s call it a Muslin shall we … ?

My second attempt failed on the basis of fabric choice … I chose a gorgeous white cotton with a fine blue print that I thought would make a great summer t-shirt. Unfortunately the cotton was more medium-weight than light-weight and there just wasn’t enough drape. I’m hoping to put it through the wash a few times to soften it up so that I can still get some wear out of it, as from a construction stand point it actually came together really well.

Today I present you with version 3, and I am so pleased with it! It really proves that sewing is a learning process, and I took all that learning and got a good fabric this time and managed to finish it quite well. The fabric is “mystery fabric” – probably some kind of Georgette, but I’m not 100% sure. It certainly has good drape though so was fantastic for the pleats. I had planned to do French seams on this top on account of the fact that the fabric is so fine, but I accidentally sewed wrong sides together (old habits die hard) and I didn’t think the fabric would stand up to unpicking, so unfortunately just normal seams were used (learning for version 4 right?!)

Just the job with a blazer …

I finished the sleeves, neckline and hem with satin bias binding and I love the look it gives to this top. It makes a bit more of a blouse rather than an everyday T-shirt top and makes me feel a bit more professional at work! The pattern calls for using the bias as a facing, but I decided I wanted to go for exposed binding to really make use of the satin. This was the first time I had done an exposed bias binding and I was really pleased with the results.

The only other changes I made to the pattern were to lengthen a little – probably an extra inch. I didn’t even need an FBA! However, if I were making a version again where I didn’t plan to wear it tucked in more often than not, then I would probably grade down to a smaller size on the waist and hips. It can be a bit “tent-y” when not tucked in … I kind of like it though! Plenty of room for cake and no one would ever know!

What I like most about this pattern is the fact that it is only 4 pattern pieces – once you have worked out the construction it comes together really quickly! I think this is a pattern that I will return to time and again as it’s a great work wardrobe staple. It’s also a good one for using up small amounts of “mystery fabric”, so it’s also quite a cheap sew. It definitely earns the title of a “Simplicity” pattern!

How about you? Do you have any sewing patterns that you return to time and again? I’d love to hear about them!

Or a casual look without …