Today we have a great review of the Casual Lady Top (and Dress) by our affiliate Go To Patterns. I really love the basic simplicity of this pattern - it is flattering on a variety of body shapes and easily lends itself to any print or solid fabric choice. This is the kind of top I live in in the summer, and the neckline and cap sleeve add just a bit of sophistication without it becoming fussy.

This pattern is available in a XXXS-XXL so it is perfect for the tweens and teens in your house and even us lusciously curvy mamas ;o) If you are just dipping your toe into the #Selfcaresewing journey, this is a great pattern to start out with... and if you are a confident self sewer, this is a fun pattern to play with. Just wait until you see our great review from Kara for mixing it up!

Here is Crystal from Stitched by Crystal to tell you all about sewing up the Casual Lady!

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Hello! It's Crystal from Stitched by Crystal! Have you all been joining in the self care sewing this month and sewing up some awesome things for yourselves? Around here my daughter tends to hog my sewing projects. She is just so easy to sew for with those straight lines. But that is all changing this month! I have been busy sewing for me a lot more and I am here today to share two of my self care sewing projects with you, they are shirts I made with the Casual Lady dress and top pattern from Go To Patterns.

I was so excited to sew this top. My go to outfit is jeans and a short sleeved shirt, so I knew this shirt would get a lot of use.

Let's get right to the details!

This pattern is a super quick sew and easy too, those cap sleeves mean no messing with setting in sleeves!
The shirt has a flattering fit. Unlike some shirts, it curves in at the waist, very slimming!
There is an option for dress of shirt length.
Sizes XXXS-XXL, so if you are small its got you covered, but it only goes up to 43" chest on the larger sizes. (The ones I am wearing are a M)
Easy to print and assemble.
The pattern has no pictures but illustrations for each step.
There is a size chart and a chart with fabric requirements for each size.
There are instructions for making the shirt longer or shorter.
It has tips for sewing with knits if you are new to it.

The pattern has a facing along the neckline that goes about half way down the arm holes, which honestly, I hate! This orange chevron was the first one I made, the facing kept bunching up especially in the back where I couldn't reach to straighten it out. I added a little top stitching along the back to keep it in place, which helps keep it in place.

The pattern calls for a knit fabric with at least 25% stretch, but for my second shirt I chose a super stretchy sweater knit and decided to skip the facing. Instead, I simply folded the neckline under and hemmed it. It's even quicker than using the facing and a more comfortable fit for me!