Closet case Kalle top, a review

I did have a make 12 list in 2021. It wasn't something I needed to make too public, but was rather a way of keeping myself to task on projects that had been queued up for a long time that I was avoiding because they felt hard. And it was the cusp of the new year and I had one remaining thing on the list: Kalle.  For the something like 6th year or whatever since it came out, and despite how I wanted to make it the minute I saw it.  Also despite the fact that I bought fabric for the dress version something like 3 years ago.  I actually bought enough, which means I have an unusual 3m stashed piece of fabric that has not been harnessed for another last minute project (so so rare!)

And so despite the time limitations and the fingers of desperation curling around my psyche because of my upcoming move, I knuckled down to make a practice version using the long popover view...in Nani Iro double gauze.  ("Practice version".  Indeed.)  The double gauze was well behaved but I treated it like gold to make sure it didn't fray.  I worried many times that this was a bad fabric/pattern combo, because double gauze really has no drape and so I thought it might hang up on my backside.  I also really don't like shirts with collars, and so I wasn't sure this style would suit me.  That was kind of why I made it first, I was cutting out the paper pattern pieces and wanted to test the size and fit of the view I liked the least.  I did some regretting that I was going ahead with this piece of beautiful fabric...

I was between a 4 and 6 (or even 8) on the size chart as I'm 33-27-37. I know that I'm either a 4 or a 6 in most Closet Core patterns despite not being a great match on the chart, and I did waffle about what to do here.  I ended up going with a straight size 4.  It meant I was committing to a size 4 on all the versions so I was a bit nervous, but I'm happy with the fit.

The instructions were fine.  I went relatively slowly - took a few days to make this, avoiding the hottest part of the day.  I had never done a front button band before and I didn't understand what I needed to sew down, exactly, but it came together neatly and the bits I didn't sew right away were easy enough to topstitch later.  I skipped the buttons for my first instagram photoshoot while thinking about whether I needed buttons - decided I needed one so I wouldn't flash people a boob.  Then while looking at my button stash a friend grabbed out these green buttons (I was scheming over grey vs pink) and two it was.  That way it looks more purposeful - I'll never shut the top one and I'll never open the bottom one, but I like the balance they provide.  

A few labels made their way onto this top. 

Lo and behold I LOVE it.  Thank god too, wouldn't want to waste this fabric.  I was definitely not sure how to style it at first since in the middle of summer I was too hot to wear much at all, but it ends up I have a reasonable number (= way too many) fitted pants I can wear it with and that seems to be the best thing to balance the extreme length at the back hem. 

I think the back of the armhole bunches up a bit, could be my wide or slopey shoulders causing a bad fit there, but it doesn't bother me and I think it just looks like wearing ease.  Yay for an end of the year win (it did take me into the new year to finish this top but I'm glad I didn't rush!)