I don’t need No Stinkin’ Muslin, Right!

The past 2-3 weeks have been just crazy; but I'm hanging in there with my sewing.
Today, I finished a top that I had started a while back. It's this top from Burda:


Burdastyle Magazine May, 2013 - #112 Long Top

I thought to myself it's a simple top, its loose fitting, and only has 3 pattern pieces; so why waste fabric on a muslin. So off I want to working on my top.
Alterations before cutting out:

• Add 4 inches to the overall length
• Add 4 inches to the overall width. (I angled this from 0 inches at the shoulder seam to 4 inches at the hips – more of a tent dress affect – to accommodate the hips).

Next make it up, right? Well I forgot to check the detail because the original pattern was done for "jersey"; I was working with silky non-stretch fabric. The top was as loose at the hipline as I would have liked. First mistake; now how did I recover from this major faux pas? 
 
Since the top is an oversized top, it fit everywhere except the hip area; too snug. So the first version (I guess I should actually call it my "muslin"), was cut off just above the hip line, and has now become a top. I'll wear it as a top with a cinched waist; i.e. belt, as in the second photo.

So I recut the top out of another cotton weight fabric that I had. The only additional change that I made was to add another 4 inches at the hip line. This did the trick:

 


I pulled the front out so that you can see the asymmetric cut of the hem line. I made it to wear it with jeans; but I rather like it with a pencil skirt.

So what was my review – Very Easy Pattern (However, you have to be comfortable with Burda Magazine patterns, since instructions are at a minimal).

Pattern Description: Burda Magazine May, 2013 - #112 Long Top
Pattern Sizing: Cut out the size 38/40

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern once you were done sewing with it? Yes, considering that I totally ignore the "suggested fabric".


Were the instructions easy to follow? Very Easy (only 4 pattern pieces)! Remember this is a Burda Magazine pattern so instructions are at a minimal, and you may have draft your own pattern pieces (for the sleeve band and a neck facing).

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like that its a basic design that you can use as a shell to create whatever your mind can conjure up.

Fabric Used: I should have used a knit; but instead made this from a silky woven and a cotton fabrics. (Recommended fabrics are just that – RECOMMENDEDJ!).

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I made a couple of changes as mentioned above:

• Added 8" at hip line area. This means I tapered the top to somewhat of a trapezoid shape, rather than the straight shaping in the line drawings.
  
• Added 4" to overall length
• Drafted a neck line facing of 1" in width and interfaced it.
• I did French seams on all of the side seams

• Also, I used bias tape to do the hemming; rather than double folding the fabric. I understitched the bias tape; then hand stitched the hem in place. It made for a lot cleaner hemline.

• Two lines of top stitching (edgestitch and ¼" ) on the sleeve seams, neckline

   
Would you sew it again? Yes, I'll give it one more go with another silky woven fabric.