McCall’s 8043

Flirty and feminine, this top has a high-necked collar with a deep keyhole neckline, as well as an open back. The wide midriff band is closely fitted and closes with ties. The full sleeves have gathers at the sleeve cap and end in a wide, fitted cuff with a three-button and self-fabric loop closure. The collar band is also closed with three buttons and fabric loops at center back. View A ties at center back, and view B ties at center front. View C ties at center back and adds a layer of bias shirred fabric at the waistband, collar, and cuffs. The seams all match, but the bias shirred layers must be stretched to match the corresponding pieces, which is what the pattern intended.

• This design is somewhat size-forgiving as the width is adjustable via the waist ties.
• Depending on the fit, consider easing the front and back neckline edges with stay tape to help keep the garment edges close to the body.
• View C asks you to tack the shirred outer layers to the underlayers. Use a zigzag stitch set to a short length and sew for several stitches to do this by machine. The shirred folds hide the tacks.

If you use ball buttons, our seamstress recommends tacking the button loops together at the base to help keep the closures buttoned. The pattern envelope recommends charmeuse, crepe, crepe-back satin, and challis. This top can be worn to clubs, concerts, and other evening events paired with a long skirt or palazzo pants. It is appropriate for a beach or pool party if made in cotton and worn with shorts. For variation, make it sleeveless or eliminate the sleeve cuffs and hem the loose sleeve ends.

The wearer may need double-sided tape to hold the neckline in place.

(Sized Misses’ 6–22 for busts 30.5–44 in.)

McCall.com

—Tested by Samina Mirza, Katy, Texas

Style tip: If your fashion fabric is drapey, make the midriff panels and ties in a crisper fabric to avoid drooping.

This review was originally published in Threads #211, October/November 2020. Have you made this pattern? If so, be sure to share pictures in our Readers Closet gallery.

Illustrations by Steven Fleck.