Simplicity 1812 top and Cake Pavlova Skirt

I’ve been sick for a few days now with some sort of cold flu apocalypse plague-like thing. I woke up this morning and got dressed and put make up on and went into work. Then my boss told me to go home, because I was too sick.

I headed home and got tons more kleenex and some throat tea (basically fennel and other stuff) and honey. But I decided not to waste the make up and outfit and take as many pictures as I could before I was a feverish sweaty mess. Gosh, I’m classy.

I’ve made the Cake Pavolva skirt before. I’m not sure why, but I still haven’t mastered making this skirt out of the package. I always have alterations. This time my back pieces are smaller than my front pieces and it makes for a much better fit for me. I have finally made these alterations to my pattern pieces so maybe I can make this without any issues next time!

I love the pockets on this skirt. I used the pavlova pocket piece, but opted not to make the little pleats on it or put the band at the top of the pocket. I put an embroidery stitch from my machine across the top in a light blue colour. I love the look. In terms of the placement of the pockets. I chose to angle them slightly and I think they look pretty good.

As for the top, the pattern is Simplicity 1812. It includes several skirt patterns, as well. I’ve made the skirt before and really loved it. Sadly, it was made when I was a beginner and didn’t really hold up all these years. Shame, though, because it was pink polkadots!

I made this top twice. Cut it out, put it together, and then tried it on and well… It did not fit. The main issue was the top cutout. I have really narrow shoulders and a hollow chest and it’s tough to fit. I took the entire top apart. I just cut off the seam allowances, because there was enough extra ease to account for it. It was so much easier than ripping out serger stitches. There are still issues with the top, but it works a lot better than it did before (you can see the issues still remain in the picture below if my shoulders aren’t back and I don’t have perfect posture). I doubt I will make another one of these tops. It’s a neat style, but I don’t think I will ever get a great fit in it, sadly. But if you have broad shoulders and a bit bust, it should work for you.

It’s also meant to be a 3/4 length sleeve and ends just above my wrists. It’s a little long. Maybe the pattern works better for non-petite people?

Here’s my sick photoshoot and, by sick, I mean flu induced photoshoot:

 

TL:DR Review

• Pattern: Simplicity 1812
• Pros: Unlike most big 4 patterns, this top has negative ease!
• Cons: Simplicity definitely thinks that if you are big, you are big all over. If you are petite in other places, keep in mind that you will have to shorten the sleeves and make major shoulder adjustments and adjustments to get the inset piece to fit.
• Make again?: I will make the skirt again. I’ve been meaning to do that for a while, but the top…nope. I’m not up for all the alterations that I need to do to make this fit.
• Rating: 3/5 stars

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