....and there was much rejoicing!

That's right... I sewed clothes again, for the first time in about half a year! And it looks good, if I do say so myself! (Which is a relief, after the total fail that was the last dress I made.)

So here's my pattern review...
Pattern: Simplicity 5595

Pattern Description: An empire-waist top with V-neck, tieback, and sleeve variations.

Pattern Sizing: Mine was 12-20. (Made size 12.)

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, though I didn't add the trim. (I made view C.)

Were the instructions easy to follow? I thought they were pretty straightfoward.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the fit a great deal--the empire waistline is at the perfect place for me with no adjustments. And I love the sleeve variations. I don't really care for their trim options, but that's easy enough to leave off.

Fabric Used: A crinkly embroidered lightweight polyester

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I slightly modified how I did the neckline facing-- I didn't want to just fold it back and have the raw edges there, so I ended up hiding the seam allowances under the binding and hand-stitching it down in the very front.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? This is actually the second time I've sewn it-- I made view F several years ago.

Conclusion: I don't think this will be the last time I make this pattern--the bodice silhouette is basic enough that I think there's room to customize further, and the tiebacks make it quick to throw together with minimal fitting issues.

Other Comments: I really like the effect of using the crinkled fabric with this one--the one I made back in grad school was also a crinkly fabric, but that one was more of an all-over random crinkle, and this one was more or less a vertical crinkle. So it makes the gathering at the bodice blend into the waist seam very nicely without it being too obvious, and gives a nice puffy sleeve effect without being too little girl-ish. And look how great the crinkling looks in the back!

I was quite happy that I was able to get this one together so quickly--even with finishing the seams on the serger, I got the whole thing cut out and entirely sewn together (minus the sleeves) in about 4 hours. The sleeves took about an extra hour the next day. I was also quite happy to get this fabric out of my stash--Mom gave it to me for Christmas about 2 or 3 years ago, and it's just been sitting there mocking me ever since! Plus I'm thinking teal is my go-to color for this year-- I keep finding myself drawn to it.
Not the best of lighting (thus the reason Donna--my dummy--is the main model instead of me), but I think this shows that it fits me pretty well, too. The neckline does gap a liiiiiitle tiny bit, but given the crinkly-ness of the fabric, I think it's actually pretty minimal. I'll probably end up wearing a cami under it, since the neckline is right on that borderline of being too low-cut for me to be comfortable without one. That, and the embroidery did leave some big needle-holes that might benefit from having something underneath other than my skin. Now the weather just needs to get warm enough for me to wear it--I've managed to venture into the 3/4-sleeved portion of my closet as long as I have things to layer over top, but short sleeves are pushing it for me right now, seeing as how we've barely cracked 60 (if we have at all!)

So I think this was a good welcome-back project for me, and now I'm excited to sew more things for my spring/summer wardrobe! Though I'm completely torn as to which thing to attempt next...do I try to apply what I learned in the skirt class to make the February Burda skirt--a needed basic? Or go for last June's funky Burda t-shirt? (I'm leaning towards the T-shirt, since if I get on that in the next couple of days and get stuck, I can still ask for help on the knit class boards!)