Sewing Tops with a Twist

First of all, thank you for all of your kind words after my last post.  It really means a lot to me!

If you like putting together puzzles, you'll love sewing tops with twists!  They are a bit of a brain teaser, as the end results looks nothing like the pattern pieces themselves.  I've recently tried out three relatively new top patterns with twists.  My first one was Butterick 6628 from a solid red cotton interlock.

There's a lot to like about this pattern- I liked the flared sleeves, the peplum option, and the wrap option.  I chose the twist option, and unfortunately, my fabric didn't have the correct amount of stretch to work as intended.  It was a beautiful hefty interlock knit, but very firm.  It was waaaayyy too tight around my midsection, and wasn't flattering at all!!! 

Luckily, I had enough fabric to cut some godets, which I inserted in the side seams to give me some breathing room.  I cut triangles that were about 6 inches wide at the base, tapering to nothing at waist level.

I also lowered the neckline about two inches.  There is no separate band- you just turn under and top stitch.  I always use a fusible tape to stabilize necklines like this so that they don't stretch out and get wavy.  I really love the end result and got lots of compliments on it at work.

My next one was made from a tie dye rayon jersey using McCalls 7975.   I made this one without any adjustments and it turned out pretty well!  It's really incredible how differently knits can behave.  I bet had I used this for the first version, that I wouldn't have needed the godets because it is soooo stretchy!

Again, there are some great sleeve options in this pattern.  I definitely would like to make it again. I think that a lightweight jersey is nice because it does get a little bulky in the twist area.

I really loved how the tie dyed area came to a circle in the twist.  I didn't plan that- just very lucky!

My last new twist pattern was Butterick 6713- a high neck twist!  This one is for woven fabric, and I made it twice- once from a jacquard woven, and then once from a chiffon. 

The back is closed with hooks and eyes, but I found that nearly impossible to hook them by myself, so on my second version I switched it to a button.  Much easier to get dressed!

 I think I would like to try the version with the cut-outs at the front.  It is the same basic pieces as the other versions, but you just don't sew up the front sleeve seam as high on the chest.

I love them all!  I remember when twist tops with the twist low on a V-neck were popular, but those were always too low cut for me.  These with different placements of the twist are much more my style.  How do you feel about twist tops?

Happy Sewing!

Ann