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I was so happy to test the latest pattern for AK Patterns. The Meg Top and Dress Pattern by Athina Kakou has such a simple silhoutte, that I jumped at the chance to add this versatile, quick sew to my wardrobe. The testing did not disappoint. I am happy to share my thoughts on the pattern below, including my favorite features and what things I will change for personal preference. Here are the versions I created during testing.
Let’s start with the dress length. I only made one of these during testing but I love it. It includes pockets, a tie belt waist for definition, minimal seams to sew and while I made the tea length per pattern instructions for the test, I will be shortening it for my personal preference. It could be the stiffer chambray fabric I chose, but I think this dress would be cuter above the knee for summer and absolutely love it’s simple casual style.
This fabric was a thrift store score! I so love it and will be on the hunt for more chambray in this weight in the future. Paired here with wedges from Nordstrom (no longer available but similiar here) and the cutest earrings from this etsy shop. Make sure you check out her designs as there as so many fabulous ones.
While I love the dress, it is so nice to have a quick top to throw on for any season. This top will be perfect through the changing seasons based on how you style it. Below is a look at three different versions, in different fabric choices. I styled all of these for summer, but I think it will be perfect paired with a jacket, jeans and booties this fall.
The top above was made with a very lightweight rayon challis from Art Gallery Fabrics. It is super light and easy to wear for summer. During testing it provided some challenges in this fabric. The testers were finding the lighter fabrics were causing the sleeves to come to a point and stick out from the body. To fix that I pulled the seam out and restitched at a small angle to get rid of the flare. To fix it permanently in the pattern, Athina added a cuff option and changed the shape of the armhole. Below is a look at the cuff option.
The added cuffs help the fabric not stretch out and keep their shape on the sleeve. I don’t know that I would have needed the cuffs in this heavier fabric, but I wanted to try this feature of the pattern to review it. Personally, I prefer the top without the cuff. It is an added step and adds a little bulk to the slim top style, so I will choose the no cuff option for myself. However, I am happy that Athina added it to help create a pattern that would not become pointy at the sleeve and fixed that concern for the lighter fabrics.
This fabric is a bit stiff for this style, so heads up..peach skin may be just a bit thick for this pattern. I had thrifted several yards of this and wanted a darker, solid color top for versatility. In hindsight, it wasn’t my best decision. But I can never go wrong when I wear these earrings- they are my favorite light weight statement earrings in pink and inexpensive too! You can find them here.
The final look I have for you is the super star fabric of summer- gingham! This is another favorite thrift store find. The fabric was super lightweight cotton so it is underlined with a thrifted white cotton fabric I had in my stash. This top is made without cuffs and I did not have to make any modifications to the sleeve seam. It did not point like my rayon top and I absolutely love this one. The only downside is finding what to wear it with. I paired it here with a muslin of pants I made, but I don’t think the cropped pants length is for me, so no full shots made it into the post…LOL. The gingham is ivory, so pairing with white jeans is out and the denim I have tried putting it with has been so so… I paired the last top I made in this fabric with red jeans. You can see that here. What’s your vote? How would you wear it?
I forgot to mention the length of this top is perfection. Long enough to cover the waist of pants without being a tunic. I love that I can sit down without fear of my back and bum being exposed and yet it is fitted enough to the figure it is flattering at this longer length.
Thank you for stopping by to see my latest looks for this pattern test. The Meg Top and Dress by Athina Kakou is a very easy to sew, simple and chic pattern. You can find the pattern here and my link to my pattern review on PRs website here.
Until next time, Happy Sewing
About 18 years ago I decided to teach myself how to sew. Long before blogs and resources available today which meant it was often disastrous. But I never gave up because I loved it so much. Today I love helping others get started on their own sewing journey. You can read more about my family and I