sew snug

BBW top.jpg
What’s wrong with this picture? Well, I’ll tell you. This is Built by Wendy Simplicity pattern 3835, and it’s a fairly popular one. The top has only four pattern pieces (well, I only used three, since I cut the back on the fold instead of making it two pieces). I initially tried to make this top with 3/4 sleeves, but the finished sleeves would not fit over my forearms. So, I made it short sleeved with FOE (fold-over elastic), but you know what? The sleeves are still a bit snug, and really, the armholes are too tight. This happened with another Built by Wendy pattern, too (the little cape jacket). Now, I do not have Popeye biceps or freakishly large arm stumps coming out of my torso, so I think the pattern is just, well, not so good. That said, I still like the top and will wear it, but I won’t be doing any poppin’ or krumpin’ in it.

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21 Responses to sew snug

  1. melissa f. says:

    aaaaw!! no poppin’? man.
    mine also had a wierd clown neck.

  2. Mary says:

    Oh sad- I’ve seen so many happy reviews for this shirt, I bought the pattern hoping I could wear it. I have broad shoulders though…guess I’ll have to learn to modify 😛 Thanks for the heads up!

  3. carolyn says:

    it even LOOKS tight, DH.
    cut those sleeves off and rock the wife beater, I say.

  4. sue says:

    I’d forward your post to ‘Wendy’. She should know these things. You’re so mini I can’t belive there isn’t some sort of mix-up on the pattern sizes.

  5. sue says:

    just went to her website, builtbywendy, and she shows her clothes on some seriously anorexic models. If she’s using them to size her patterns, she’s nuts.

  6. Melanie says:

    I had the same problem with this pattern. I almost had to cut myself out of the shirt.

  7. katie says:

    I love the fabric, I agree make it sleeveless. It is summer.

  8. Phoebe says:

    That’s odd, most of the Built by Wendy patterns I’ve made have been freakishly oversized, like tents, if I follow the recommended size for my measurements. I’ve learned to choose the size based on the finished measurements instead. I can’t remember what size I made in this top, but mine fit okay and I’ve got kind of beefy upper arms.

  9. sara says:

    Love the fabric. That said, I’ve never ever understood the sizing on BBW patterns. I’ve tried sewing 4 different ones and 2 came out WAY too big and the other 2 were snug in really odd places. So basically it’s not you, it’s the pattern. 🙂

  10. splatgirl says:

    Ugh. I hate bad patterns, but I think the shirt looks great on you, and I LOVE the fabric.

  11. Frances says:

    Wow, I was ready to buy the pattern because the shirt looks so cute but those armholes would make me crazy. Thanks for sharing. Love the fabric!

  12. Melissa says:

    Dude, you are totally buffed out in that shirt! The fabric looks great.

  13. This is good information because I am planning to make this shirt. I am definitely going to measure and adjust the pattern to fit.
    Love your shirt though.

  14. Lydia says:

    Uh, might want add no breathing to that list. How did you get that on?!

  15. michelle says:

    Don’t you think you just made a too-small size? You might need to make a bigger size and trim out some from the center front/back, or maybe the sides. Almost all patterns need some alteration. Maybe you should ask Amy and report back. I’d love to hear what she had to say.

  16. Seanna Lea says:

    It does look like it would be pretty cute without the sleeves, so I would consider taking them off.

  17. Emma says:

    I really love the colours and the print – it’s a pity the arms didn’t work out!

  18. amy k. says:

    I agree with carolyn-sleeveless.
    the print looks soooooooo good.

  19. Cristina says:

    Apropos not of this post, I just posted a green tea ice cream recipe that is divinely simple and simply divine and made up by my husband. It might take your mind off that top.

  20. becky says:

    that print is awesome! Is it a raglan sleeve top? I guess you can’t easily take the sleeves off then.

  21. anna says:

    Agree with Michelle – it needs to be bigger! I made this shirt and while I usually wear a 4, I made the 10 (I think) based on actual measurements, and I love it. It’s a blousy loose shape.

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