Hot Patterns No Sweat Easy Sew Butterfly Tops

I've had this pattern in my stash for a while and a recent newsletter from Hot Patterns prompted me to dig through the selection of Hot Patterns that I already own.  This is from the range that was also sold through McCalls and is I think now out of print.  

I made the cowl neck version in a very drapy lightweight poly knit that I bought from Spotlight - I loved the print but I really wasn't sure what to do with it - too light for a dress, too thin for a fitted top.  It turned out to be perfect for this top and I really like the end result.  The print and the sleeves make it feel sort of Japanese.  It's ideal for turning a pair of jeans into a going out outfit and great for travel - I can even roll it up and stuff it in my handbag if I'm going out straight from the office!  

The only negative thing is the sizing, I don't know if that is McCalls influence or not, but this pattern runs very large.  I started with a 10 and took in the side and underarm seams so that it ended up closer to a 6.  However it's easy to adjust this smaller and I think part of the concept of this pattern line was to minimise fit issues.  For comparison in a knit I'd normally make a Big 4 size 10 and a BWOF size 38.

I liked the top so much I thought I'd be brave and try the tie neck version in some gorgeous butterfly print silk jersey from Gorgeous Fabrics.  It seemed kind of appropriate for a pattern called a butterfly top and the fabric has the same drapy quality that this pattern needs.  This version has an attached cape and I was a little unsure about it to be honest, but I absolutely love how it turned out.  I went straight to a size 6 this time (this is the smallest size in the envelope which is just ridiculous frankly!) and this was just right for me.  The fabric was a dream to work with, sews and presses like cotton, drapes and feels like silk (which it is!).

You can see the attached cape detail in these pictures;