Let the Sew Set You Free - 5 out of 4's Calypso Top & Dress Sewing Pattern Review

Aye Calypso, the places you've been to, the things you have shown us. 

5 out of 4 must be dreaming of either the Pirates of the Caribbean or Ottawa (where Calypso Water Park is).  Either way, the Calypso top reminds me of waves of warm water and the tropics - even though fall is here, frost warnings and all. 

Calypso has several options:
- Top or dress length
- Short, 3/4, or long sleeves with a cute bow detail
- XXS to 5XL sizing

 

The first top I made was my test version. 

I had a, "moment," and didn't realize the sleeve binding should of been doubled, so my short sleeves version lacks the bow feature - but it's still cute and works!  

I also didn't shorten any of the tiers, as this was my fit version to ensure everything worked as it ought to.  

 



I used a DBP from Water Tower Textiles, and it's so soft and flowy - definitely the type of fabric this top desires. 

The gathers were the most time consuming part of making this top, but well worth the end result. 

For my second top, I opted for long sleeves, and used DBP and some sort of really light Sweater knit from a mystery box (also Water Tower Textiles) - and everything came together well. 

I love the flow and look of the top, and the long sleeves are different and feminine. 

 


Originally during testing, we'd used clear elastic in the gathers, but it didn't work well for flowiness, so I originally made this top as the dress version (I'm not normally a dress girl), and had to unpick the seams between all the tiers to get the elastic out, and resewed it back together in a top version for finals.  

I did learn that unpicking clear elastic made it easier than just through the fabric, and none of the fabric was torn during the process. 

The final version has NO clear elastic, so you shant suffer this two Netflix episode unpicking adventure!

I did take 3/4" off each tier, but next time I won't, as I prefer a longer length. 

Overall, it's a fun sew, and these are already in my closet ready to wear. 

If you want a fun sewing adventure, take the ride down the Calypso here!

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