Miss Celie

Butterick 5562: Ruched Sleeve Knit Top

After completing the Trina Turk dress I still had red thread on the serger. I pulled out Butterick 5562 from the stash and a red bamboo knit from Fashionmart.  I know. TWO non Burda patterns in a row! I always forget that I have an actual stash of Big 4 patterns 🙂 Oh, and my point and shoot camera HATES red.

The reviews on PR noted that the shirt was generally big. The pattern runs XS-S-M.  I originally planned to make a medium. But, after checking the finished measurements, I decided to go with a SMEDium. Small in the shoulders, medium around the bust, small at the waist and medium through the hips. That and a FBA gave me a terrific fit.

Again, I made a dartless FBA with 3/4 inch in width added at the bust point and 2 inches in length added below the bust point. The two inches was over kill, one would have been fine. I also made a one inch swayback adjustment (hence the seam up the back).

I first thought the sleeves were pleated (a very Burda technique). But, it is in fact all done with gathering and elastic. I used clear elastic for the vertical gathers.

The pattern has you set in the sleeve. But, I ease stitched it with mixed results. You can see some parts didn’t ease as evenly as others. Not enough to bother me though!

The knit is drapey and about two years old (back in my ‘I need more solid colors’ phase). It was only well after I’d cut out the pattern that I realized I hadn’t pre-treated. I’ m sure it’ll wash fine though.

Other notes? I used bias knit interfacing in the neck and hemline. I just turned those down and top stitched with a twin needle. I didn’t bother hemming the sleeves. The shirt is long. But, I like that! No back crack 🙂

That’s it. I made this Friday night between washing and twisting my hair. Red is such a good color for me, but after pledging in college I stopped wearing it as often (my sorority colors were not red).

My jeans are Levis BTW. I wear 505 (Straight Leg “Straight and roomy through the seat, thigh and leg“),  512 (Perfectly Slimming “flattens your tummy with a hidden panel while it shapes and smoothes your curves”), and 529 (Curvy Boot Cut “stretch fit that flatters, with a rise that contours to your every curve”). These work really really well for me. Smaller waist, larger hips, deep curve for the posterior. And, I can get a pretty good price for them on sale at Macy’s. I’ve also gotten to the point that I buy multiple pairs of them at a time. Actually, I try on jeans, find a good pair, then email Trena. Same shape, I’m just three times as big 🙂

I have one last red dress cut out to be sewn. Hopefully to be worn to work on Valentine’s Day and another to be work for Valentine’s dinner.

My Pattern Review is here

49 comments

  2. Wow! This is a great-looking top and you look wonderful in red. I think I’ll have to try that pattern.

  11. Lovely color on you. I can imagine how wonderful that bamboo knit feels. You are churning projects out quickly.

  14. Ok, so I know I already commented on PR, but you are rocking this t-shirt. I’m going to make one again, but try long sleeves and a similar fabric to yours! I am lovin’ how yours fits you.

  24. And what sorority is that, that would make you hate red? My sorority did the same with red…….? Might we be….. Sisters? I’m glad that little box on the side shows green…..

  28. This is a lovely colour on you and the top is gorgeous. I’ve hesitated at buying any of these gathered sleeves patterns but I think I will now I live in a colder climate. I really like this style. i don’t know what you’re doing, but keep doing it! You look more beautiful every time we see you.

  29. Wow! I love this one on you….great pick of fabric and color! I didn’t even notice how great this pattern was until now!

  30. Hey, i knew that was B5562 that I spied in your Baltimore Fabric Crawl pics. I’m currently working on my own version in black in what is apparently the “B5562 Crawl”. The red looks fantastic on you.

  32. This pattern is next in my queue (after my current projects) so I was excited to see your review. I’m planing to make the same version. I’m thinking about drafting a new neckline because folks on Pattern Review thought the fold and sew finishing method was a little junky. But your version looks great.

    You look really nice in red; I can’t believe you used to eschew it!

  44. Sweetie…. you look MARVELOUS in that top 🙂 GOOD JOB 🙂 It’s VERY flattering on you 🙂 PS-The pants fit nicely too 🙂

  46. I always enjoy seeing your completed sewing projects, and now I have yet another reason to be grateful for your blog. Your suggestion of the the Levi’s 529 jeans for curvy gals was spot on! I’ve been in desperate need of a new pair of jeans that would actually fit. Jean shopping is often such a depressing experience for me. I try on countless pairs — none of which look good — and then leave the store empty handed. But armed with your suggestion, I marched to Macy’s and tried on a pair of 529s, and within 20 minutes I was headed home with the perfect new pair of jeans. Thanks so much for the tip!

  48. I’ve been following your blog for a long time and really enjoy it. I don’t think I would have ever considered this pattern until I saw it on you. Just terrific ! Well I bought the pattern and made it up too ! I learned a lot and I’m so happy with the top. Thanks for the suggestion on the jeans too I’m going to give them a try.
    Melissa 🙂

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