K.I.S.S. - part 3

The white top story . . .

I am really pleased with how my black top has turned out for my SWAP, but I know that I can improve upon it.  And as I do not have enough of my white jersey, I have had to do some serious thinking and this is what I came up with:

This is the original Kwik Sew pattern - long sleeved version:

photo from www.simplicity.com

And this is a less 'fabric hungry' top that caught my attention (the pink version).  The reason I like these two tops are that they have hop bands.  As I am essentially a 'V' shape - wider shoulders than hips, I find that tops that fit my shoulders, bust etc are swimming with fabric around my hips, these band help pull the fabric in and give me some definition.  And being plus-sized, I need all the definition I can get!!

 photo from www.simplicity.com

As the neckline on the Kwik Sew pattern had such a fantastic neckline and width, I kept that, but used the sleeves, length, and band off the Simplicity pattern.  Oh, how I love it!  I had 1.5yds of 60" fabric, I had to put in a centre back seam to be able to fit all the pattern pieces on, but it worked.  I could had still decreased a couple of inches more from the hip band, but I have a feeling that this may end up being my 'go to' top.  It is perfect for work, will work with skirts and trousers and will be comfy under jackets.

Here is a sneak peak of the neckline with the centre back seam:

Here you can see the sleeve and hip band.  I serged the sleeve edges then used Stitch Witchery to hold up the hems.  I love the professional finish that it gives - no puckering or risk of wobbly stitching.  I am happy to continue this way until Santa buys me a cover-stitch machine!!

 

And that is where I am right now.  Three pieces completed, as well as working on my black skirt and camel colored jacket.  I cannot believe how well this is going so far, but as I have visitors from the UK arriving this weekend, for the next 10 days so I am glad that I have a 'jump' on my collection!