Do you remember the most unattractive blouse in the most slimy fabric of summer 2012? Well, just like JJ Abrams did with Dr Mccoy- I have done an upgrade.
Yes, Lord, I am back to trying to save Mccalls 6565- I think i am the only crusader out to save the marsupial top! Great strides have been made- I ungathered the sleeve awnings, I released the hem to float freely with just a thread chain connecting it to the lining, I lessened the bust gathers (they looked angry, my friends) and I used a softer more pliable fabric- rayon challis. Behold!
Mccalls 6565 is no longer the white whale of my sewing room- thru patience, challis and at last 4 episodes of Louie CK, I have conquered the ugly. I suppose technically I am the white whale of my sewing room, but anyhoo! Action shot! 
….and the marsupials danced and sang together! 
…and they admired each others shoulder awnings. Fall visited Anderson for maybe an hour this week, so I got to layer at last!
I’m really pleased with this little top. I’m trying not to think of all the other things I could have accomplished if I hadn’t spent so much time on it, but hey, the fun was in the effort on this one and who wants to admit that a little Mccalls pattern beat them?
I know, don’t hang your arms in your pockets, it’s not ladylike! But it was only to accentuate the marsupial qualities! I swear! Improvement? I think so. EEK! 
Joy is restored to the hollodeck once more. I didn’t change the pattern very much- so the last one tragically pictured above, should be considered a muslin, I suppose- it did get disposed of, it was just so unpleasant and oddly constricting! Almost like the Star Fleet uniforms from the first Star trek movie! Oh scary! Oh vaguely inappropriate! Is that phaser set on stun??
Not everyone is amused, Jim! 
**the Pups are at the groomer this morning, Bruder will be looking very sharp for his photo spread tomorrow as he picks the 1st Pattern Pyramid Pile winner!
photo credits: meadhawg, pattern review, google images
Pretty Grievances 
Divide and conquer! Worth the time spent. Great job.
LikeLike
Thank you! 6565 just needed an exorsism!
LikeLike
I think the new version is a definite upgrade – good job!
LikeLike
I really want to try the pleat front next- I wonder how many tries that will take?!
LikeLike
Agreement all round – much improved, in fact, perfect. Lined and with pockets! What’s better than that?
LikeLike
I hope Mickey appreciates my labors as I eat his over-priced food!
LikeLike
Done good baby! Way, way good. There ARE no wadders. Just more dog drying towels. xxoocbd
LikeLike
Heehee! We just made one of the pups a ‘keep the scratchy grass off your undercarriage’ tank top out of a shirt that didn’t pass muster- so many ways to use the rejects!
LikeLike
This was a very becoming shape on you 🙂 Love it!!!
LikeLike
I wasn’t sure if Mccalls liked gals with hips!
LikeLike
Well, hey, this worked out swimmingly!! Nicely done, you!
LikeLike
I don’t know if it’s cake or frosting, but I like it.
LikeLike
I love the new, upgraded version. Yet again, another pattern I would have overlooked but yours makes me want to run out and get this pattern today!
LikeLike
Oh, you would be a serious knock out in this one!
LikeLike
So glad that you were able to save this top and it’s so pretty on in it’s current incarnation!
LikeLike
I love me some challis!
LikeLike
Looks great! Yup…. as much as I hate it sometimes, the finely detailed re-doing, un-picking, re-stitching and re-thinking that requires INFINITE amounts of patience can pay off in the end with a garment that is comfy and looks great. It was totally worth all your time, and you surely couldn’t wouldn’t shouldn’t have accomplished anything more satisfying with the time if you’d used it otherwise, right? 🙂
LikeLike
Well, it was either this or clean the catbox or worse yet- the house!
LikeLike
eeew. Cleaning the house is always last on my list of things to do when I have free time. You did well to just sew up something that you like! hehehehe
LikeLike
Why do laundry when you can just sew something new?
LikeLike
Lovely – that neckline shape is great on you. Very nice fit and doesn’t it feel great to triumph over a pattern.
LikeLike
I gave me some courage to tackle a vogue today!
LikeLike
It looks good – all the work was well worth it. It’s always good to conquer those pesky patterns. If you want more autumn move to Bewdley …. autumn definitely on the way. Layer up people.
Enjoy the overpriced mouse food!
LikeLike
The south is so moody temp-wise! I want light jacket weather!
LikeLike
Awesome post, although anything titled the Dr. McCoy Reboot would have won me over. Great job on your top & not giving up.
LikeLike
Well, you took Mr Darcy this week- I had to find another genre to abuse!
LikeLike
Updated version very good, persistence paid off.
LikeLike
Thats new for me- usually persistence just ruins more fabric!
LikeLike
Huzzah, hoorah!!! Love it. I’m giving Louis C.K. partial credit though. He is my official 2nd-half-of-2012 obsession, and has gotten me through some sewing breakdowns as well. Yay you and Louie!!
LikeLike
Got to Love the Louis CK!! They need to show more of his reruns to catch me up….
LikeLike
If you have Netflix, seasons 1 and 2 are available for streaming!! Louis is on a loop in THIS house. 🙂
LikeLike
Oh, I love a top with pockets too! I love all of your changes and I hate angry bust gathers too (haha).
LikeLike
You shouldn’t anger the bust- it’s just wrong.
LikeLike
Much admiration for your determination. The new top looks great, and I love your Star Trek references. I laughed all the way through your post.
LikeLike
What about those jumpsuits! Oy!
LikeLike
Good Save!
LikeLike
Thank you so!
LikeLike
Well – you have boldly gone where no sewist has gone before and conquered the marsupial top – well done – looks fab on you. Loving the fabric too.
LikeLike
Thank you, thank you! Extra points for Roddenberry references!
LikeLike
Great job on this too but Fab post. I love reading them:)
LikeLike
Oh you are too kind!!
LikeLike
Oh well done Dr. PG, you have Saved the Marsupial from itself. Have a vino or two (perhaps bubbles?) to celebrate!
LikeLike
We went out for gourmet (ok, gourmet for our town!) pizza. That means no squirrels or velveta on it!
LikeLike
I’m a relatively new reader of yours – and I just have to say I love the way you write AND pose for photos! I’m also a little surprised how drawn I feel towards this top pattern. I may have to acquire it, stat.
LikeLike
Posing is not something I was born to- I’m usually emulating a picture of Fannie Brice and hoping for the best! Thank you! I’ve learned so much from your blog.
LikeLike
Those uniforms! Bwahahaha!
I think releasing the hem did wonders. And I have to say, I am a huge fan of marsupial pockets. You’ve made this pattern look enticing!
LikeLike
They are such discrete pockets- perfect for mouse money and a phone- definitely a good vacation top. If ones poly jumpsuit is in the cleaners….
LikeLike
Very nice!
LikeLike
You are working your way through the marsupial family, this sweet little one is more Wallaby than Kangaroo. Excellent save, we can’t have our quirky marsupials becoming extinct can we?
LikeLike
Didn’t Olivia Newton John have a clothing store called Quirky Marsupials?
LikeLike
It was Koala Blue – they were depressed because their pouches were not as awesome as kangaroos
LikeLike
I have this urge to go into a paint store and demand a gallon of koala blue….
LikeLike
Let me know how it compares to duck egg blue LOL. I should have asked the koala in my front yard yesterday if he was ‘totally devoted to blue’…
LikeLike
Oh so wrong! Maybe it’s color ‘b17’!
LikeLike
The new version’s not marsupial at all, and you got a cracking fit on the bust!
LikeLike
Lessening those gathers definitely helped- so puckery!
LikeLike
Bravo!! You saved the pattern! Also, my husband walked by and was “6565 Dr. McCoy? What?” I had to explain it was a pattern number.
LikeLike
Yup, many disapointed Trekkers got to this blog yesterday!
LikeLike
Wonderful remake. A tunic style suits you. The sleeves look better undone. I always feel like I need sleeves down to my elbows, but maybe I’ll try this one.
LikeLike
I do love some hip-camouflaging tunics!
LikeLike
All those efforts paid off, it looks great! 🙂
LikeLike
I love challis- so forgiving!
LikeLike
All that work paid off – you’ve made quite a fabulous top!
LikeLike
Your contest dress is soooo fabulous!!!
LikeLike
I have more than a dozen patterns that I’ve never even used and you keep tempting me to buy more. 🙂
LikeLike
Sewing is about enabling!
LikeLike
LOL. I like that – “Sewing is about enabling.” I ordered that other McCall’s pattern. I’m going to think about this one for a while.
LikeLike
Good save! I really liked this pattern so it’s good to see you’ll be getting some (comfortable) wear out of it. I quite like McCall’s styles but their grading really doesn’t work for me =S
LikeLike
I think I lean toward Simplicity most because it fits me best of the Planet Big4 patterns!
LikeLike
I’m so glad you gave this one another try, it’s a winner for sure. I made the other version a few weeks back, I like it for it’s odd uniqueness. Anyway I was glad to see your pattern review so I had a little insight on what to expect. I like yours better than mine, I think I will have to try your version with your insight.
LikeLike