{Reviewed} Fancy Tiger Crafts Fen

Pattern Description:

According to the Fancy Tiger Crafts Site:

Fen has two versions, and both might be your favorite new garment! Designed with everyday wear in mind, Fen features a slightly boxy shape for a flattering, comfortable fit. The Fen Dress is a casual frock perfect for a day of gardening. The Fen Top is a simple tee that’s sure to be a wardrobe staple. A choose-your-own-adventure hemline means either version can be made with the ever so slight drop hem, or switched to the included shirt-tail hem. The necklines can be interchanged and there are optional sleeves for endless variations!

RECOMMENDED FABRIC
View A: Voile, rayon, light cotton, or silk. Alternately make the tee in light, drapey knit fabric, or combine a knit front and woven back.
View B: Mid to lightweight woven linen, cotton, double gauze, chambray or wool.

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS NEEDED
Coordinating thread, twin needle (optional), fabric shears, pins, marking tool, measuring tape, sewing machine, iron.

Pattern Sizing:

This pattern includes sizes 0-20.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yep!

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Definitely – the pattern is a woven dolman sleeve top!  If you have ever sewn a dolman top, you will know that they are pretty straight forward — no sleeves to set in, just a couple simple seams, and you are done.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I love the way the front of the top is shorter and the back forms a curved shirttail.  I usually do the half tucked shirt thing, but this top is cropped in the front so I can just wear it with whatever high waisted bottoms I have in my wardrobe.

I WISH there was just a smidge more fabric on the shoulders so that my bra strap wouldn’t threaten to come out of hiding, but that’s pretty minor.  You should know that while I like a cropped top – that this isn’t for everyone, and if you want the front to hang longer, you might want to add length.  A muslin (test garment) will be important.

Fabric Used:

A gorgeous rayon challis from Sly Fox Fabrics (link is here)

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

When I sewed up my muslin, I did it out of some broadcloth that I have here, so admittedly, it didn’t have the drape of this rayon challis.  It revealed that the angle on the dolman sleeve restricted my arm movement (probably exacerbated by the stiff fabric) and that I would feel better if I shaved off the bottom of the drop shoulder at the arm pit (essentially I raised the armhole).  I also drafted a neckline facing because I didn’t trust myself to do the technique recommended in the pattern – the binding method recommended yields poor results if you aren’t skilled at it.  Lastly, I finished the hems of the shirt bottom and the sleeves with a narrow rolled hem.

I also shortened this top 2″, but that is just a part of my standard adjustments.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Absolutely!  Quick and easy pattern – what’s not to love?  I would definitely need to figure out what to do about the shoulder thing — any suggestions?