Sinclar: Lauren Top

So, I made another Sinclair pattern.  Is anyone surprised?  This one is the Lauren Top.  How could I not make this?  Here's the pattern photo: 

I love tops that drape yet have a modest neckline, so this was a no-brainer for me.  

It was such a nice day that I had to go outdoors for photos. That's pretty rare this time of year where I live.

This top requires a super drapey fabric.  I think this was a rayon-lycra blend and it works for this top. It was purchased from Fabric Mart.

See what I mean about requiring drape?  From this side view, you can totally see half of the pleats in the design.  

I love this blushy-pink/rose color. This is a relatively easy sew.  Just line up the pleats, baste them and you are half way done!  

There is also a dress and sleeveless version of this, so in the next few months, guess what I'll be making?

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

A new pattern--Sinclair Journey zip hoodie!

Hi all,

I was one of the lucky ones able to test a pattern for Sinclair Patterns.  It is the Journey Zip Hoodie.  

And, here is a link to the pattern: https://sinclairpatterns.com/product/journey-zip-up-knit-raglan-hoodie-with-different-pocket-styles-pdf-sewing-pattern/?goal=0_eef9a0e737-bc33274c7c-129781988&mc_cid=bc33274c7c&mc_eid=0d2e69e1f9

I wasn't one of the lucky ones to be featured on the website, but I am still really pleased with how mine turned out.  

This pattern, from cut out to final seam will take you about 4 to 5 hours. You'll need to use mid-weight knits.

My fabrics were from Sly Fox.  If you've never heard of them, I am quite smitten with their selection and quality.  I've yet to be disappointed. Here's a link if you are interested: https://slyfoxfabrics.com/

I used their french terry for this hoodie. 

The only part that may give you a few head-scratching moments is the zipper insertion.  I simplified this by basting the zip in, then attaching the facing and stitching down the whole business at once.  If you decide to purchase the pattern and make this up, you'll get what I mean.

For Sinclair patterns, I appreciate that the pattern has options.  This has hoodie or collar and different pocket choices.  Truly you can create different looks for this garment. Also, it comes in petite, regular, or tall sizes.  I use the tall and make almost zero alterations. 

I am really happy with my hoodie.

If you try this pattern, please let me know as I 'd like to know about your experience.

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

Violet knit jacket by Style Arc.

Winter is rapidly approaching, and I wanted a few cozy pieces to layer up and keep warm.  

On IG, one of my favorite reviewers is @birdy_sew_obsessed.  She recently made this in a textured white and I was instantly in love!!!  Do you know the feeling?  I simply had to make this.  

I ordered this lovely, thick knit from Fabric.com.  The manufacturer is Telio and this is just lucious!  

It's thick, warm, and that texture!  

Since I knew this was exceedlingly big, I sized down one size from my usual SA. 

This pattern is well-drafted and goes together easily.  I made a few mods to the construction to give an overall cleaner finish on the inside. 

Would you just look at that fabric? 

Thanks for reading!

Sue

Another McCall's 7432 in blue!

Welp, I made another dress.  I told myself no more summer dresses, but I simply couldn't help it.  I am sure you know what I mean.  

This time, I used one of my TNT patterns: McCall's 7432.  I love this pattern, almost as much as I love McCall's 6886. 

In a moment of weakness, I picked up this blue floral knit from JoAnns.  It washed and dried beautifully and didn't pill or stretch out of shape.  I think this dress will hold up.  Sometimes with Jo's you get burned.  I hope it's not this time as I really like this dress!  

Here's the pattern I used: 

It's very basic.  I like the A-line shape along with the three choices of necklines along with sleeve and length options.  

I made view E.  I think it's a classic shape and style for summer.  

As I am always trying to improve fit, I've finally come to realize that when I use a cottony-feel knit, I absolutely must make a seam at the center back waistline.  I use a 1/4" seam at the sides and taper to almost an inch at the dead center back.  This accommodates my swayback.  I've done this on my beloved McCall's 6886 and any time I use this type of knit, I have to with any pattern that doesn't have a seam there.

Here you can see it better.  See how much nicer that fits me?

For the neckband, in previous makes, I found the neckband to be rather wide and hang outwards from your body.  With this neckband, I cut it almost 1/2" narrower and tested it numerous times to make sure it hugged my body.  It does.

Another neckline trick I use is to put the garment on my dress form, and pin the neckband (or sleeve bands) to the garment.  Once I am happy, I remove it and sew.  This works beautifully for me.

For the sleeves and hemline, I used 1" hems and SewkeysE tape.  That stuff is what miracles are made of.  I read a post from Kenneth D. King stating that better knit dresses use 1" hems.  Guess what I now always do for knit hems? 

Thanks so much for reading and I hope your summer sewing is something you feel good about!

Sue

Blackwood Cardigan Round 2

Unless you've been vacationing on Mars, you've seen all the love shown to the Blackwood Cardigan by Helen's Closet.  

All this love is for good reason.  This pattern is awesome!  It looks good in so many different fabrics and every version I see is so cute!  

In reorganizing my current sewing space to move to another, I am seriously wondering about my over-flowing stash and why I am hanging onto some fabrics for so long.  This floral knit mesh is one of those fabrics.  When I pulled it out again, it was like the creativity train hit me upside the head and the Blackwood Cardi came into site.  Bingo! 

This pattern can be totally sewn on the serger if you'd like.  It is drafted exceptionally well and versatile.  What else can I say about it?  

In case you are wondering about the length, I did add 4" to the bottom.  Since this is summer-weight, I also left off the cuffs and hemmed them.  I knew I'd be pushing them up.  If I pull them down, they are bracelet-length.  

With this ultra light weight fabric, I stabilized the shoulders and back neckline with SewkeysE tape 1/2" wide.  For the hemline I used 1" SewkeysE tape in clear so it's double sided. This stuff works like a dream!  

I did leave off the pockets since I knew I'd be wearing this over something that most likely had pockets.  

For the cami, I had a bit of this vibrant fabric left and since remnants aren't welcome in my sewing room any more, I decided to make a tank to wear under this cardi.  The pattern I chose is this one: 

As you can see, this is by Itch to Stitch.  This pattern is FREE!

I love testing different pattern companies FREE patterns and this one was a pleasure to sew.  I had fun color-blocking it with my remnants.  

Plus, it was a fun challenge to use the mesh as the binding at the neckline and arms.

Enough for now!  

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

Another McCalls 7561

I promised myself I wouldn't make another dress until I had created 10 makes.  And guess what, I did it!  However the first thing I did right after the 10th make, I broke down and made this dress.  

I simply love this beginner patterns from McCalls that have so many different style options.  Below you can see my first make with this: 

I so love this dress from 2017!  I still regularly wear it.  

This time, I went for a summer look: 

All I did with this version is to obviously lengthen it and remove the sleeves.

The issue with taking your own photos is that sometimes you accidently cut off the top of your head!

Look at that, no side boob showing!

I love the neckline on this, both back and front.

The neckline gives you a great place to show off a necklace.

I love my new dress!

Happy sewing!

Sue

Jalie Julia--great way to practice FOE skills!

Want to practice FOE?  This is a great pattern for it!

From the website: 

A: Swing camisole with rounded v-neck and racer back. B: Racerback, pull-on lined bralette with wide under-bust band. Lined with self-fabric or power net, depending on your desired level of support. The cami and bralette are both finished with fold over elastic. C/D: Panties with crossover illusion, fold over elastic finish and choice of high (C) or low waist (D).

This is a super easy Cami pattern.  It's literally two side seams, a hem, and FOE at the edges.

I live the shape of this with the A-line or swing style.

So here's my version. This textured from my stash was a great drapey choice for this.  It isn't much of a stretch of the imagination from the cover photo.

The FOE was from a kit I purchased on ETSY.  It was a grab bag of Lingerie Elastics and I had the perfect length of it to make this top.

For Jalie, you use your Full-Bust measurement and it works.  

I really love the back. I am wearing a strapless bra that isn't the most flattering on me but it's comfortable and it fits. It kept me nice and cool on this hot and humid day.

I see more of these in my future!

Thanks for reading!

Sue

Olive, round 2

See, I told you there would be another Olive Spliced Tee from StyleArc.  Here's my latest version.  This time I used a knit.

All three fabrics were remnants from other projects.

The floral, is a Cotton and Steel knit.  It is soft as can be and sews like a dream.

The black and white a Stof.  I so love their knits.

My only deviation from the pattern was to make a patch pocket instead of the inseam pocket.  

I am pretty pleased with my make!

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

Bright orange and Mimi G: Simplicity 8889

Hi all!  

Today I want to share with all of you this cute top from Mimi G.  The styling on this is just darling!  

Here's my version: 

This pattern is very well drafted.  It fits me so well.  I barely made any alterations to this, other than my usual which I will describe below.

I am loving this bright orange linen from JoAnns.  I hope it holds up!  It's always so hit and miss with them.  This did wash and dry well, so I am hopeful.

First, let's talk about the pocket that I modified.  I added a self-fabric tube or flat piping to the right side of the pocket facing.  I had a bit extra of the fabric, so I decided to add this non-functional loop to the pocket so I could use this pretty pearl button.  I had two and knew it would be difficult to use just one on another project.  After sewing on the loop, I added the flat piping.

Then I turned the facing to the right side of the pocket so it would show.  Fold back the side edges and bam!  You are ready to stitch this onto the garment. 

There is a hidden placket for the buttons.  I love hidden plackets.  They are fun to make.  

I made clean finish hems on the sleeves and bottom edges.  

I matched the rounded edge of the hem facing to my top stitching. 

And, for the final picture, he's the back.

I almost forgot to mention my alterations!  I lengthened from the shoulder to apex, the bust curve and the back from the shoulder to the waist.  My total length adjustment was 1.75" for each--front and back.  Had I not lengthened this, I would be belly-bearing and that isn't a good look for me at this point in my life.  ;)  

I really love how this turned out!  I am wearing this with my McCall's 7432 dress pattern.  This is another fav of mine!  

Thanks for reading!

Sue