Summer Time is here again and I have fallen in love with crop tops and high waist skirts and pants. My sewing goal for the next few months is to create staple pieces that can be mixed and matched for any occasion. With that being said, I have been busy hunting for patterns to help me further that goal. Which is how I ended up purchasing Simplicity 8386 a few weeks ago during Hobby Lobby's amazing pattern sale.

I am extremely hesitate about purchasing top patterns because I always have to make a full bust adjustment (FBA). With my work schedule, I barely have time to sew and I definitely don't want to waste time doing a FBA. So this pattern, of course, stood out to me because it was knit top. Plus, I figured even if I didn't like the finished top, what the heck, the pattern only cost me two dollars (and considering the fact that I give that to the office snack machine almost everyday I knew it wouldn't bother me too much). I purchased inexpensive knit from JoAnn and went to work. Let me just say I love the fact that this pattern is only three pieces. That's right, I said three pieces! The top came out great and with one minor adjustment (discussed in the pattern review below) it fit great as well. I intend to make View C again using a better quality knit but I also want to give View B a try soon.

Pattern: S8386

Pattern Description: Three easy to sew knit tops in three styles. View C is an off-shoulder crop top.

Pattern Sizing: I cut View C a size 8.

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

Where the instructions easy to follow? Yes they were, since the pattern didn't have a lot of pieces an intermediate sewist could probably figure it out without the instructions.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Again it is a great pattern if you are looking to make quick and simple staple pieces and I love that the sleeve comes off the shoulder just slightly.

Fabric Used: I believe it was a Poly/Spandex Knit. It does not have as much stretch as jersey knit but not as heavy as ponte knit.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: After sewing the side seams together I found the fit to be a bit loose at the waist, so I took the side seams in half an inch.

Would you sew it again? Yes, I intend to do View C again and try View B as well.

Would you recommend it to others? Yes, it is an easy sew and I think it a great beginner pattern.