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Originally during testing, we'd used clear elastic in the gathers, but it didn't work well for flowiness, so I originally made this top as the dress version (I'm not normally a dress girl), and had to unpick the seams between all the tiers to get the elastic out, and resewed it back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

***Affiliate Links Above used - I love these patterns, and without the help of those who love their patterns, marketing would be extremely difficult for the pattern makers we love and learn to love. Affiliate links help with the hours, fabric, and tears that go behind testing each pattern in order to provide a real-person view on the patterns for you (and me!) 

Put a Twist on It - 5 out of 4's Sally Skirt

Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak. 

The new 5 out of 4 Sally Skirt Pattern is just that. 

It includes several fashionista options:
- Knee length or Maxi length skirt
- Regular or knot twist band
- POCKETS

 

 The front is pretty sweet with the easy-to-follow instructions for the front knot option - I used a black cotton lycra (Water Tower Textiles) for the base band, and added some funky stretch lace (Libelle Sewing) for the knot part. 

I didn't need my seam ripper once!

The pockets are the perfect height for my hands to just happen to fall into. Because POCKETS!

The side view is also quite nice - you can see with my Gloria Peplum top that there is no evidence of a fabric knot underneath, and it works well with my Sheila Top (tank to long sleeved, top to dress length!) tucked inside to really show the band off. 

And the back - I like it, and I love the flare at my knees. 

So if you love a quick sew, Sally is the Skirt for you (and Sheila is a super quick top sew up too!). Get Sally here.

***Affiliate Links Above used - I love these patterns, and without the help of those who love their patterns, marketing would be extremely difficult for the pattern makers we love and learn to love. Affiliate links help with the hours, fabric, and tears that go behind testing each pattern in order to provide a real-person view on the patterns for you (and me!)  

Sewing Pattern Review: Winter Wear Design's Crossover Series Starting Point Tank

The Starting Point Tank is part of Winter Wear Designs' newest collection.

To date, it includes the Starting Point Tank and Crossroads Sweater - both year round wears.

The Starting Point Tank is a fitted tank top with several features:
- Bands or Bindings for the neck and armhole finishings
- Scoop Neck or Deep Scoop Neck options
- Petite and Regular Length Cut Lines

It is a "slim fitting" tank - but has enough ease that it's not showing every lump and bump.

 As you can see from the front view, it makes me look like a fashion star (or just silly - it was -20 Celsius outside during this photo shoot!) You wouldn't tell that I have a few little bumps and lumps. .

 The pattern is designed for an hour glass shape - which is perfect for me! 

During testing, it looked great on all the ladies once their sizing was perfected.

I graded from an 8 bust to 12 waist/hips.  It lays just at my hips and doesn't ride up - even while working out.

 Construction is easy to follow and you can make it in half the time as a load of wash takes.  Who needs clean clothes when they have a sewing machine??

The recommended fabrics are lightweight knits with 30% stretch or more - if you use a medium or heavy weight stretch, your top will look boxy and cling oddly. 

I opted for a slub Jersey fabric from Water Tower Textiles and Cotton Lycra scraps for the bands. The jersey is a 2-way stretch lightweight fabric - kind of like lightweight t-shirt fabric.  It feels soft and comfortable, and is a great fit for this tank pattern. 

 I decided to layer the tank with the new Crossroads Sweater - it's a different take on a cross-over top, and includes:

- Short or Long Sleeves
- Bottom Band or No Band
- Short or Long Length

I grade from Small to Large on this top, and definitely recommend basting the sides before using your knit stitch in order to ensure the cross over fits your body properly.  I did a bit of tweaking for the right fit!  

I used a Melange Sweater Knit from Water Tower Textiles (and the same Jersey Slub fabric as the tank) for a nice complimentary look. 

....and I still have the tendency to order 1 metre of fabric so I can have a variety, hence most of my clothing ends up with multiple types/colours of fabrics instead of a solid colour/pattern.

Again - a nice light to medium sweater knit is perfect for this pattern - and with the sleeve options, can be worn year round!

Overall, I'm happy with these patterns to help me layer year round - I'm always cold, and tanks and tops with some sort of collar help keep me warm. 

Being easy sews also helps make these great patterns to try your sewing skills on!

Grab Both Patterns in a super savings Bundle!

***Affiliate Links Above used - I love these patterns, and without the help of those who love their patterns, marketing would be extremely difficult for the pattern makers we love and learn to love. Affiliate links help with the hours, fabric, and tears that go behind testing each pattern in order to provide a real-person view on the patterns for you (and me!)