NEW ANNOUNCEMENT...

 WOW!  The 2013 Essential Tops Sew-a-long seems to have grown overnight. At last count there are 52 participants (if I've counted correctly).   I had planned a grande finale to showcase all the finished projects, but on second thought  I 've add an additional blog page as a place to upload  pictures as they come in.   I think this will help me keep a more accurate account of finished projects.  

Since I'm experimenting with adding new pages, I've also added a page that lists all of the sew-a-long participants.  You can view either or both pages by clicking on the tabs above.  I can't wait to see the pictures of all the finished tops on one page.

Please be sure to notify me as you finish your tops!!! 

Once again thanks to EVERYBODY for joining in.  I'll be checking all blogs as time permits this week, but need your help to keep track of all the tops.

 Please email all pictures of finished tops to me at:  fayedollatcox.net

  
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..what more is there to be said about Vogue 8815?   This is my 5th time using it.   I've turned this pattern every which way but loose.  Nothing like a TNT to get the ball rolling for me.    The pattern has already been altered so it was a snap to put together.  Well with the exception of the invisible zipper.  I'd not had the problem matching the bodice of  the other four tops, but for some reason this time I did.  I finally called it quits last night and just went to bed leaving the zipper for yet another day.

I made two minor adjustments when I first made this pattern last summer: 

• the original pattern had too much fullness across my upper chest.  That was solved with Smoking Needles suggestion to  making a horizontal dart all the way across and tapering to nothing at the armhole.  To compensate for this adjustment the same amount had to be added to the bottom of the bodice.
• Secondly, the original pattern front neckline was much to high for me, making it a "choke top".  I altered this by cutting (scooping out) away 1" at the center front fold and tapering to nothing further up the neckline.

Now I think the pattern fits me perfectly.   There are many other peplum top patterns available and I do plan on trying one of them (yes, there are other peplum tops in my future)  I do love this one.

 The mystery fabric is a cute floral print in black and white.  The top of course offers several no brainer outfit options  - (paired with black or white pants, or a black or white skirt).  Except there's no white skirt in my closet.  Note to self:  make a white skirt.

What's next for me, mmmmmmmm, I'm really not sure.  I think I want the next essential top made from a knit.  Nothing like a great knit top and it's been a while since I've made one so we will see.