Finished: Fresh Prince of Bel Air Top

Good basics patterns are worth their weight in gold. Until now, the Renfrew has been my go-to knit top pattern, but I was keen to try a raglan sleeve top for a change.

This pattern sewed up quickly using a combination of my overlocker and regular machine. Well, saying that, I did make a pretty major error, which caused me to pack up my sewing gear in a sulk for a day or two...

After cutting the piece for the front, back and sleeves, I was merrily sewing them together on my overlocker, enjoying one of those rare moments when the overlocker tension is perfect first time (joy!). However I wasn't being thorough enough about checking what I was doing, and this happened:

 

I confused the sleeves and body pieces, and sewed the front and back pieces to themselves like they were sleeves. Argh!

As I'd done this on the overlocker, cutting off excess, there really was no comeback. Girl Charlee saw my woe via Instagram and kindly offered to send me some more but happily I had enough fabric left to cut the project again.

 Picture taken in the bathroom of our flat before we moved - I finished this months ago!

Here are the pattern stats:

Pattern
Simplicity 1317, a raglan sleeved top

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I love knit tops and didn't have a raglan pattern already. I like the Grainline top, but this was much cheaper (£4 in a Simplicity sale). As with all Big 4, there was loads of ease, so I checked the finished measurements and cut a size Small. This is perfect size-wise, although I could probably do with extra shoulder room due to my wide shoulders.

Fabric & Notions
Monochrome geometric french terry from Girl Charlee (see here) plus fine black cotton ribbing from Tissu fabrics (here). I loved the fabric design and it does indeed have a 90s feel to it, as my Current Husband picked up on, hence the project name. The black ribbing was nice to prevent it become a pattern riot when cutting bands for the cuffs, neck and hem. I think it gives a lovely neat and professional look.

I'd never used french terry before so I was intrigued to see what t was like to work with. It was lighter weight that I expected as I'd thought this top would be like a sweatshirt but really it is more like a regular knit/jersey top. The fabric also doesn't really stretch much, a bit less than recommended for the pattern, but it worked ok. 

Pattern alterations or any design changes
None - I could have added length to the arms but I was being lazy so made it as is.

Would you sew it again and do anything different next time?
I'd definitely make it again and make the shoulders a little wider and maybe add a bit of arm length.

Did you use any new techniques?
I hadn't used ribbing before to finish neckline, cuffs and bottom band, though I have used bands to finish a knit top, like on the Renfrew. This ribbing felt lovely but was difficult to cut straight as the rib was fine, black so hard to see, plus the piece had been cut poorly so I was working against a wonky edge!

Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, definitely

Cost
Pattern £4
Fabric Free (usually £6.95/m)
Ribbing £3.50/m + £3 P&P

Total £10.50 for pattern and ribbing but I will definitely use the pattern again plus have loads of ribbing left

Conclusion
I'll definitely be making more and will probably use it to make both t-shirts and heavier sweater-weight tops. Raglan sleeves are easy to sew (provided you don't get your pieces confused, ahem!) and this can be whipped up fairly quickly.

This could easily be lengthened into a simple dress too, so I might give that a try at some point.

K x

*The fabric was sent to me for free by Girl Charlee for review. All opinions (and sewing mishaps) my own*