I made this top a while back, so I'm a little fuzzy with the details. But there is a major booboo that I only discovered last week.

Pattern: McCalls 5561 Top View D

Fabric: Cotton from Tessuti remnant pile.

Date first worn: mid-2010

Wear again? Yes, I like wearing it. It just doesn't get worn that often because it needs a press cos it gets quite wrinkled in the wash.

Sew again? Yes, and do it better next time.

Recommended? Yes, but since I made it a simple pullover sleeveless top, I'm not sure how difficult it is to construct the sleeves and back button areas.

Sizing and alterations: Probably the smallest size with the back made even smaller and the hem shortened.

Fabric prep: I cannot remember if I prewashed it!

Cutting: My old way of eyeballing grain lines. Also, I did not have much fabric, so I omitted the centre back buttons by cutting the back on the fold with seam allowance removed.

Marking: Red tracing paper that hasn't washed off completely!

Instructions: I've been wearing this top for a few months before I realised (as I was making the Pendrell) that was sewn incorrectly! I sewed the pleats along the pleat lines! Now, I don't think it's the pattern's fault. I'm quite daft at pattern reading. I read something over and over and I still can't even get around the concept of left, right, etc. I much prefer illustrated steps, but the usual pattern illustrations also leave a lot to be desired. That's it! patterns should come with a video for beginners.

Sewing: The pleats probably took me ages to do, and last week I had unpicked the pleat stitches. Now it looks a bit more like the pattern photo. I also had to catchstitch parts of the facing because it was showing at the armholes. I had very little fabric to work with so I cut a much smaller facing than the pattern intended. It is also a bit tight at the armholes.

Conclusion: Now that I've reviewed this piece, I think I'm ready to make a no-shortcut fitted version.

Notes for future sewing:

• Study the pattern photos, instructions more carefully.
• Check the fit (especially the armhole.)