DIY: Simplicity 8061 V-Neck Top in Rayon Challis

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Tomiko and I just got back from a weekend in a rustic cabin on Georgian Bay. While we spent all weekend in comfortable camping clothes, I’m ready to put on a polished top for work on Monday. So here is Simplicity 8061 in view E. Simplicity 8061 is a basic top and I chose to add the short sleeves and make the v-neck version. Size 16 seemed to fit pretty well, although I did an FBA with 1/2″ on each side.

Luckily I was able to squeeze it out of the leftover fabric from my Vogue 9053 dress. The pink rayon challis has a small, allover floral pattern that almost acts as a solid. In order to cut out the fabric from what little fabric I had, I cut out front and back bodice pieces flat.

Here I’m wearing my Simplicity 8061 with my Butterick B4686 skirt (my new favourite!).

This is a rather simple pattern, and I made it in one day, from tracing to sewing and finishing. I tend to alter my patterns with an FBA, so I always trace the original pattern onto paper.

I think I will definitely make it again in different fabrics, and even try the sleeveless version, and with different necklines. Simplicity 8061 is a good, basic woven top. The neckline variations include scoop, crew, V-neck and square. The first time I wore this to work, I received more than one compliment from coworkers!

I sewed Simplicity 8061 in size 16. Possibly I could have done a 14 but the envelope I had only had sizes 16-24. I went by the finished garment measurements that are printed on the pattern pieces rather than what’s on the back of the envelope.

The top only uses five pattern pieces: front and back, front and back neckline facings, and sleeves. Its clear instructions are easy to follow. The neckline is finished with a facing, but I found this would flip out despite my understitching. To fix this, I topstitched about one centimetre from the neckline.

I was so happy with my pink challis top, so I then made it again using leftover fabric from my M7317 dress. This time, I used a white rayon challis with green leaves and orange flowers.

This time, though, I sewed it with French seams. However, now looking at the photos, I think I might be able to adjust the sleeves. Maybe I can reduce the depth of the sleeve cap. There was also a lot of fabric to ease into the armscye, so perhaps I’ll try that next time. I’ve read some articles saying that pattern companies make the sleeve caps too high. Maybe this is a good example of that? I also need to practice easing in the sleeve cap into the armscye to prevent puckers!

Overall, this is a great, versatile pattern for a woven top. It has a dart for fitting, and the several neckline options, and the ability to make it with sleeves or sleeveless, makes it excellent value. A bonus is that it doesn’t look like the top of a set of scrubs!