Dropped Sleeve Wadder Burda 7521

This is the last ever dropped shoulder garment I will ever ever ever make. They are just 'not me'. Several years ago I had my Personal Style Solutions done up by Kerryn at Kerryn's Fabric World and when it came to Sleeve Styles for me, a dropped shoulder seam was listed as being 'great'. Well, great no longer for me. And by eliminating this style from my wardrobe really narrows down my choices (as raglan, saddle, cap and open shoulders have already been ditched). From now on I am only going to stick with either sleeveless or set in sleeves. A classic sleeve style appears to be 'more me'. I love the look of a classic sleeve and now hate the dropped shoulder stuff. Pity it took making up my two latest tops to come to this conclusion.

First off was Burda 7521. I should have been forewarned when only one other person on PatternReview has tried this pattern, and she made 6 alterations to her top!!! Now, was that a red flag waving or what???

Not to worry, a loose fitting top with the little gathered detail at the front would be a pleasant change for the coming hot summer. NOT!!!
This top is so loose in fit that loose fitting doesn't do the top justice. Voluminous and shapeless could also be used as a description. I really don't think I have been this disappointed in a pattern for many a year.
So here is my version of Burda 7521. The fabric is fantastic and has a beautiful drape to it...

So, the shoulders. As can be seen from the line drawing they are a drop-shoulder style. But not the traditional box style drop sleeve, as an armscye shape can seen, for which a small amount of shaping can become evident. But when made up it just looks a vision of being way oversized and sloppy on the shoulder, as if the shoulder seam is twice the necessary length and not a dropped shoulder style at all. Particularly as the sleeve is fairly fitted. The drop is way longer than the normal 5cm dropped shoulder that I am use to seeing. The overall shoulder seam on this is 19cm (finished). And this is on a size 10 top...and I rest my case!!!

Next complaint would be the facings. The back in particular. What can't be seen from the line-drawing is that the back gathers at the neckline actually are formed in the seam between the back and the back facing, and the facing needs to be tacked down to the gathers to avoid the gathers sticking out. It does feel a bit strange having gathers on the back neckline when wearing.

...and from the inside showing the facing...

I do like the front gathers, though, and think that this in itself is a great feature of the top. An easy enough feature to sneak into other garments. The gathers here are actually formed on the inside of the top and this gives a nice roll to the gathers on the front.

So my verdict on this top is that I probably won't make another. For anyone else wanting to give it ago, be prepared for a huge top to be made. My suggestion to others would be to eliminate the back gathers as they really are an unnecessary 'extra' chunk of fabric in what is already an ample sized top. I would also advise against the version with sleeves and suggest the sleeveless version, which still has a fair drop/cap look to it. The pattern itself is easy as to sew, each section matched up and the instructions were fine. It is just me and the issue of the dropped sleeve that turns me off this pattern.

Will I wear it...yes, but with a splash of colour from a camisole underneath and matching splash in a bracelet to take the eye away from the shoulder area.

PatternReview

And my second dropped shoulder disaster is a work in progress. Another Burda (now, is that telling me something???) 8478. More on this top, and my fixing to suit me when it is completed...

An update on this dropped sleeve wadder - it can be saved!!! I have actually cut out the back gathers altogether, which resulted in having to sew in a back seam. But the bonus is I now have a great fitting top to wear, and only I know that it shouldn't have a back seam. So again I will reiterate, this top shouldn't be sewn up with the back gathers. They are overkill in adding in extra ease.

MPB Men's Boxer Sew-Along...

My first ever sew-along. Wow!!! Just how excited can one person really get over a pair of maIe boxer shorts I don’t know. But excited I am...

From the start I really wanted to work on this little project at the same rate as everyone else. But life had a different road for me to take...the road of work, family and other pleasures. So this means that I am running a few days late on Day 1 of the sew-along. Not to worry, it’s not as if these boxer’s are for me!!!

So, from...

Pattern is Kwik Sew 1672. Several reviews already on PatternReview that tick this pattern as being a good one.

And the fabric is a black and tan geometric patterned cotton. A more 'male' looking fabric that I had in my stash. Originally I had picked it up to use as a lining for a jacket.

And the finished boxer's...

These boxer's are for my son, who had a few 'requirements' that needed to be considered. First off was that they had to be longer than RTW boxer's. Son is 196cm tall, which converts to 6'4". A very tall 15 year old. And also he didn't want the fly open, but sewn together. Two easy enough requests.

And my own 'personal' changes included flat-felling the seams for comfort, and using matching bias tape on the hem.

So for about 1 hours work from start to finish is one made to measure pair of boxer shorts. Don't think I will get a photo of these being modelled!!! Just don't think he will stand like the models on the pattern envelope...

Only problem I can see with these finished boxers is that I will be sewing them for the rest of my life. No way will my son go back to wearing RTW boxers again. And hubby has jumped on the bandwagon asking for a few pairs as well. Well, at least they can nearly be made with my eyes closed, no invisible zipper, no French Seams, no darts or gathering. Just plain simple sewing at its best...