My Retro-'60s Top

I made this top, hoping it would work as part of mini-wardrobe. It didn't (the collar was wrong), but now I've got another great top.

Vogue 8392

Very Easy Vogue

Misses'/Misses' Petite Top: Pullover top has front pleats. View A has short sleeves.

As always, I made a few alterations to the tissue paper pattern:

• Folded up 1 inch at the petite line.
• Folded up 1/4 inch to raise bust point.

But other than that, I made this top as is. The instructions were great and the top was very easy. I finished it in a Saturday between swim team practice and an end-of-the-school-year party. I have already pick out another piece of cotton to do it again!

I love the collar best of all!

My hero! And a very frustrating pattern...

My hero...

This pattern is actually a birthday gift our sweet friend John, but I needed my LM to model for me so that I could rant about this pattern. I won't go into it here, but if you plan to make a knight's cotume, read my review on PR first!

My button hole trim

Here is a close-up of the button hole trim around the buttons on my pink jacket:


Here's how I did it:

1. Cut 7 inches of ribbon for a 2-inch trim.
2. Fold over 2 1/4 inches.
3. Mark the 45 degree line.
4. I sew this on freezer paper because my ribbon often gets bunched under my presser foot. It will also help if you will lower your presser foot first--then your needle!
5. Trim the corner.
6. Press it open.
7. Fold over 3/4 inches.
8. Mark the 45 degree line and stitch again.
9. Fold the remaining length back onto the length of top. Mark the 45 degree line and stitch again.
10. Mark the intersection of the miters.
11. Fold the top onto the bottom, matching the intersection.
12. Mark 45 degree line.
13. Stitch.
14. Trim the excess.
15. Press it open.
16. Fray check your edges and stabilize if you wish. If you stabilize, you will have to rip the stabilizer between the ribbons.
17. Secure it to over your button holes, matching openings.