My first pattern review - Butterick 5138

Today I'm not feeling so good. Right now cancer feels like a cold...either that or I'm coming down with something. I want to just lay in bed today but the sewing machine is calling and I gotta answer. Although I've not been given any prognosis I do know that cancer isn't going to kill me. The doctor didn't say anything and I've checked my closet...I don't have a thing to wear!

I've never done a pattern review, but here goes:

Pattern Review - Butterick 5138

Pattern Sizing:16-22

Did it look like photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing it? Yes, it looks exactly like the drawing

Were the instructions easy to follow? Extremely

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? The pattern is very easy

Fabric used: Chiffon for the blouse and a peachskin polyester blend for the lining. My fabric choice made sewing this blouse much more difficult to sew. Using chiffon cut on the bias is not for the faint of heart!

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I made a deeper bust dart and used the rolled hem feature of my serger for all of the edges. I also rotated the sleeve seam forward. I should have also changed the shape of the sleeve cap because the front of the cap feels kind of tight. If I have enough fabic left I might recut and resew just the top portion of the sleeve.

Would you sew it again? Yes, I'll sew it again I already have the fabric

Conclusion: This top is fun, flirty and feminine. I'm glad I made it because it forced me to learn to use the rolled hem on my 20 year old serger. I don't think I would attempt to use chiffon if I didn't have the rolled hem feature available. I tried to use a plain old rolled hem foot on the regular sewing machine but didn't have any success.

I'm having a great day but...

Today I'm having a great day. I've got cancer...but cancer ain't got me. I'm not teary eyed and other than a scratchy throat I feel pretty darn good. Only problem is that I'm cold most of the time now and feel a little feverish. I want to work on my blouse but I need to tweak the fit a little. Because I'm cold I've got on my bra, a stretch velvet top with matching sleep pants, a long sleeve turtle neck, a zip front hoodie (long sleeve) and a long sleeve fleece pullover. I've also got on footies! Yes...I did pay the power company last month (LOL). I don't want to have to take all of this off to try on my blouse. I may just bite the bullet and settle for less than perfect fit just this once. I don't want to start any new projects until this one is finished.

Butterick 5138

I'm working my blouse today. I've got to make several alterations to the pattern before I can cut my fashion fabric. The body is cut on the bias so hard to get a good idea out of muslin but I'm giving it a shot.

I've got to make a small dart on the v-neck in front and in back.

Then need to make a high-round back adjustment, let out the back underarm seam and I should be good to go! It's not supposed to look like a maternity top!

Since the top is lined using the same pattern pieces, I think I'll cut and sew the lining first. Once I fine-tune the fit of the lining I'll use the lining as the pattern for the fashion fabric. Sometimes...I think I'm a genius!