An oddly sized Vogue 8791

Sewing - I have completed some! (waits for applause). This is Vogue 8791, which is a pullover shirt/tunic with different cup sizes.

I've been working on this shirt in short stints over the last few weeks. Hey, I'm a busy lady. A sleeve here, a collar there... and at last, I've finished it.


I would say this is the first thing I've sewed where I genuinely haven't stressed about the size - in that I don't care if it's a size 6, 16, or 26. This was aided by the fact that my measurements matched the pattern sizes as follows:

• High bust - size 14
• Cup size - D
• Waist - 16
• Hips - 20

Hmm. This didn't bode well for choosing just one size. Even more difficult was that no matter what, I had to be able to pull the waist over my chest to get in and out of the shirt.

I ended up sewing a 16D, drawing a line from the waist to a size 20 at the hips. It's probably as good a fit as it could be. I also removed about an inch for a sway back, and this seemed to work appropriately. The waist  is kind of a low empire waist, which only sits about an inch above my ACTUAL waist. I like that.

100kph winds - adding drama to the photo shoot?

Where I have issues with the fit is the very broad back, and the too-large shoulders/sleeves. These things lead me to believe that I am indeed a 14 at the top - but I wouldn't have been able to pull on the shirt if it was a 14. I guess I could have put in a side zip, but I love how breezy this top is without it. The waist could have been a smidge smaller. The hips seem to be correct. Am I really 3 sizes smaller at the shoulders than the hips/butt??

This top was my first foray into flat-felled seams. I LOVE THEM. They really tidy up the inside of the garment. Being that this is a fairly loose linen, it also strengthens the seams and should eliminate fraying. Vogue doesn't specify doing these style of seams, but I highly recommend it. The only seams I couldn't sew this way were the inside of the sleeves - I did a French seam instead.

I really like this shirt (and I love linen, I'll definitely seek out more of that). It's a bit big, and from certain angles it does have an air of 'maternity'... but it's comfortable and serves a purpose. Because it's so long, I'd be fine with wearing this over skinny jeans or leggings to balance my proportions.

There are a few more Vogue cup-size shirt patterns winging their way to me, so I'm glad I've had a useful first attempt!