KWIK SEW K3915 – view A

I picked up this pattern because I was attracted to the unusual collar which is gathered into a V-neckline. Whilst at Franklins I was also drawn to an Autumnal printed jersey fabric on sale at £9.95/m less my special 10% discount. I bought 1.5m and by the end of the afternoon the fabric had been laundered and cut out ready for stitching!

A previous Kwik Sew pattern that I made up came out too wide at the shoulders for me, so this time I used my High Bust measurement and copied off the size L (40-41½” bust) and graded out for my full bust and rubenesque hips. I also measured the sleeve pattern and reduced by 3” (I have very short arms!), the bodice was left at the same length. I made sure to mark up the pattern pieces that there is only ¼ inch seam allowances for this pattern.

I sat down with every confidence that this pullover top would take about an hour to stitch together. Wrong! Having changed to jersey needles in the overlocker and threaded up with 4 threads, I was unable to achieve a satisfactory stitch. After about 3 attempts I finally managed to resolve the tension issues and was able to produce a great stitch. After that little hiatus, things went very well.

The gathering for the front of the collar was fiddly, especially as this particular jersey fabric was fine and very stretchy. I managed it by basting on the sewing machine. I had already decided to ignore the faux button loops as I thought the print on the fabric was busy enough without adding extra ‘enhancements’.

close up of the gathered collar

At first fitting everything was fine except that the top was over long. I made a 1½ inch hem on the bodice and the same on the sleeves before top stitching with the twin needle.

KWIK SEW K3915

Although I originally envisaged this top as a garment for the early Autumn, with the current chilly, wet weather, I shall be wearing it over the next few days until Spring/Summer weather returns. Also, now that I have ‘trialled’ the pattern, later in the year I will be making more in a heavier weight jersey for the ‘real’ Autumn and Winter seasons.