My mom had this older Simplicity 6365 pattern in her stash and I decided to give it a try. I find it so interesting to try a vintage pattern and see if I can give it a modern twist! This top is supposed to be made from a woven fabric, but I thought it would do well made from a knit as well.

Simplicity 6365 sewing pattern simplicity 6365 sewing pattern

To adjust the pattern for a knit, all I did was measure the neckline and draft a neckband that was an inch wide and about an inch shorter than the neckline. I then just finished the neckline with my neckband instead of using the facing included in the pattern.

simplicity 6365 sweater

Sizing

The pattern we had was a Miss size 12, which was definitely a bit small for me – my measurements put me more at a size 16 according to the pattern envelope. But because the pattern was so loose fitting and I was going to use a knit instead, I just went with the size 12. And it actually worked out just fine! The sweater isn’t even tight on me at all.

sewing a vintage pattern - Simplicity 6365

Sewing it up

This shirt was super fast and easy to sew up. There were literally only 5 pieces (and that’s counting each sleeve individually!)

pieces of simplicity 6365 laid out on a table

Also, there was no worrying about trying to set in a sleeve because the way it went together you sew the sleeves on to the shirt before sewing up the side seam. So it looks like this before you sew up the entire side seam and underarm seam:

simplicity sweater with sleeves sewn on and side seams open

And because I made this in a knit, which by the way was a heavier weight knit I found at the thrift store (score!), I was able to just serge all the seams except the hem super quickly.

simplicity 6365 sweater inside with serged white seams

For the most part, I’m really happy with how this shirt turned out! And it was such a quick sew, a great project for those times when you want to sew something but don’t feel like starting anything “big”.

simplicity 6365 vintage sewing pattern

simplicity vintage sewing pattern sweater

Also, when you use a cozy knit, it’s quality lounging material.

wearing simplicity 6365 sweater sitting on a red couch

I think if I were to make this again I would lengthen the sleeves to full length since to me it seems a bit weird to have a sweater with 3/4 length sleeves. Also, I’m not 100% satisfied with how my neckband turned out – I think I should have made it a bit shorter so that it fit in the neckline a bit tighter. I’m just not super happy with the edges of the neckband sticking up over my shoulders, but I don’t think it’s a deal breaker. I will for sure get some good wear out of this sweater!

front view of blue sweater made with simplicity 6365

Conclusions

Did it turn out as expected based on the pattern envelope?

I think it definitely looks just like the pattern envelope – except the neckband, which I added on.

How challenging is it to sew?

This is a super easy sew! Especially with a knit, I just whipped right through this in a couple hours.

Would I sew it again?

Maybe. If I can get the neckband to lie a little flatter and extend the sleeves to my wrists I may make it again.

Overall rating

I’m going 4/5 on this one. I think it was a great pattern and I’ll get some really good wear out of the version I made.

 

 

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sewing vintage patterns simplicity 6365 pinterest graphic