Simplicity 8337 Flounce top

Hello everyone!

I hope you are enjoying your weekend!

As promised, I am back with a review for Simplicity's 8337 Flounce Top.  I happened to squeeze this top in at the very end of last month!  And here are the results:

It's an awesome top!  In fact, it is so awesome that I didn't realize I have a very similar flounce top in my closet already.  It is a piece I purchased YEARS ago (2011 I think), and is dearly loved.  In making this version, I found my old version, and I have come to the conclusion that I really like this style on me. This is a throwback with me and my mom:

Isn't it funny how we gravitate towards the same style over the years?

Anyhow, the S8337 flounce top was an easy one to make.  I already knew the fit would be good, so most of my concerns were in constructing the flounce, and whether or not it would hang well.  I am happy to report that the construction was much easier than I thought, and the weight of the fabric I chose works with the flounce design.

Here are the details:

I sewed a size S, with the waist graded to a M.  I used a beautiful lightweight rayon jersey knit from Fabricmart Fabrics.  It was a fairly easy fabric to sew, and the drape turned out to be lovely.  Since the flounce edges are left raw INTENTIONALLY, you must be careful to choose a fabric with similar right and wrong sides.  It doesn't make a difference for the top portion of the flounce, but it does for the part that hangs at the center front.  Also, a rotary cutter will give a better edge when cutting out the pattern piece (shhh, I used scissors, lol).

*As a note, I am sure it would be possible to serge the flounce edges if you wanted.  I am not well versed in doing so with the delicate nature of my fabric, but it would probably lend a more professional look to the garment.*

I really don't have any dislikes, but I will say one thing I would do differently should I make another one--use my own binding for the neckline!! I used purchased binding, and it must be me.  I just don't like how it looks.  It looks cheaper than if I would have cut my own from my jersey fabric.  

By the way, I did use self fabric for binding the armholes (per pattern instructions), and I really like how nicely it turned out.  This is just a small pet peeve, but not enough to be disappointed with my top.  Also, my fabric kept magically growing on me!  I stabilized the shoulders, let it hang before hemming, and still ended up removing an additional inch in the waist to refine the fit.  Obviously, fabrics behave differently, and it is good to know how your fabric behaves.

Overall, this pattern is a total LOVE!  It will definitely go down as a TNT for me.  I am sure I will revisit this pattern in the future! However, for now I will be moving on to my June plans.  I would recommend this pattern for any confident beginner, or someone looking for an easy top with a little bit of flair!  Seriously, you could definitely sew this style in multiple colors!!!

Stay sew-filled!