Maternity Top for Jessica

I made Jessica a maternity top from the 2/2007 issue of Ottobre Woman. The following is copied from my review at Pattern Review.
~Ruth




Pattern Description:
Magazine description: The elastic gathering in each side seam of the maternity top allows for the growing belly. The top has a wrap neckline and cute puffed sleeves.

Pattern Sizing:
I made this for Jessica, and she likes her tops to be long. I made a size 34 lengthened to a 50.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes! But longer. :)

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I love the style of this top, and so does my pregnant daughter. She particularly likes that the top is snug under her belly instead of standing away from her body like a tent. The gathers in the side seams is a wonderful design element to accomplish this!

Side Gathers

The instructions called for using clear elastic. I do NOT like using clear elastic. So instead, I used a 1/4" soft elastic in the bodice seam, side seams, and sleeve hems. Oh, and I also used this same elastic in the back neckline---something the pattern did not call for.

Fabric Used:
I used a cotton jersey that I got from a sewing co-op.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
As mentioned already, I lengthened this top to tunic length. Jessica wanted the top to be longer than the top pictured. I agreed---I like the longer length better.

I also raised the neckline an inch or so. Jessica did not want to have to wear a cami underneath for modesty, and raising the neckline did the trick!

Also, after fitting the mostly-finished top on my daughter, we realized that the back neckline hung away from her neck and back. I don't know if the fabric stretched out while I sewed the neck binding or what happened, but I remedied the situation by unpicking at the shoulder seams and inserting elastic inside the back neckline binding. This made the back neckline lie flat against Jessica. I choose to call this a design element---seriously, it looks planned, and it looks great! I may just do this again on another top. :)

Back Neckline

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Jessica has already requested another top from the same pattern but with 3/4 sleeves. Her baby is due in November, so I better get busy!

Conclusion:
It looks great on Jessica!!!!! She loves the top, and so do I. This pattern is a winner.