Rebecca Page Sara Sweater

So I tested another pattern for Rebecca Page.  This is the Sara Sweater.  Here's a link to images of the pattern: 

https://rebecca-page.com/product/sara-sweater/

I was so drawn to the line drawing of this.  How cute is it?  

I used a beautiful sweater knit from Telio.  I purchase Telio from Fabricdotcom.  Wow, do I love this brand.  

For the placket, I used a woven cotton fabric for the sweater portion.  Sorry, I should have taken photos of that fabric. For the neckband, it is only the sweater fabric.

This fabric just lays so beautifully. 

With this view, you can get a glimpse of the placket fabric I used.  The placket is non-functional as I decided not to make actual button holes.

I do love the shape of this sweater.  

This sweater was designed as very over-sized so I graded down almost 2 sizes.  Can you imagine how over large this would have been?  

Buttons were from my stash and are silver but lightweight metal.  

Thanks for reading!  

Sue 

Another Harper Cardigan by Sinclair Patterns

I have been on a roll of Indy patterns with good reason: the Indy designers take time to fit, test, and retest their patterns before publication.  I just love that by those designers!  

This is for the Harper Cardigan by Sinclair Patterns.  Did I mention this is a FREE pattern?  For those of you wary to purchase the Blackwood, here is your chance to get one that is equally as awesome and you just can't beat the price.  

Here's the pattern image: 

And, a link to the pattern: https://sinclairpatterns.com/product/harper-classic-knit-cardigan-and-duster-for-women-pdf-sewing-pattern/

What I love about Sinclair patterns is that the come in TALL sizes, or for ladies over 5'6".  There are also petite and regular sizing options.  

Gosh, I love this fabric!  How fun is this?  Dress it up or down.

This is the first long length I have made from this pattern. 

The back really lets you see how fun this fabric is!

It's mine!

I've made this cardigan numerous times and each time has been a treat.  You can use a variety of fabrics, make a variety of lengths such as duster, long, or classic and you can also make long, 3/4, or short sleeves.  Variety, is all included with this pattern.  

For this version, I used a camo fabric from Telio.  I think if you've read some of my posts (thank you, BTW) you'll know that I have a thing for Telio.  Quality and reasonable price.  Bam!  No wonder I love it so much!  

I made the longer version with long sleeves.  I had just enough fabric to complete this feat, but honestly, it was a close call!  What I keep forgetting is that the neckband or front band needs 2 cuts on the fold, not just one.  :)  

Since my fabric was a ribbed sweater knit, I did use some precautions such as SewkeysE 1/2" tape for almost all the raw edges: pockets, front band, and hemline.  I just love this stuff!  I did use a straight basting stitch on my machine before serging the edges.  It just makes me feel better about my finished garment.  

What more can you ask for?  A FREE pattern that's well drafted, fits a variety of sizes, and gives you a great result!

Thanks for reading!

Sue  

Staying warm with StyleArc Brooklyn top

Hi all!  I hope your winter is going well!  Here in the US, we've been cold and snowy lately so I decided to break out some sweater knit and sew up this super cute and cozy Brooklyn Top by StyleArc. Here it is!

I love the lines of this.  It's just perfect for cold winter days.  

And yes, I am back to photos in my kitchen.  It's just too cold outside (and dark) to take photos.

With this being a sweater knit, I took a precaution that I take with all knits.  You can see that below.

I fused SewkeysE stay tape and the back shoulder and neckline.  Some people use clear elastic, but I really like the stay tape.  I always add this to my back neckline as well.  If the knit has an open weave, I also stabilize the front neckline as well.  

This sweater knit is softer than the line drawing show.  I just love all these colors!

The length is perfect too. 

To go with the top, I made another pair of the Georgie Stretch Jeans, also by StyleArc.

I always get wrinkles under the booty, so I decided to try something different that helped!  This time, I lengthened the rise in the front and back and wow, it's not perfect yet, but what a difference!

This combo is comfortable, cozy, and warm!

Thanks for reading!

Sue

Sinclair Danielle Batwing Top

One of my last makes for the 2019 year was this beautiful top from Sinclair patterns.  

Here's a link to the pattern if you'd like to see the other great patterns Sinclair has to offer: 

https://sinclairpatterns.com/product/danielle-relaxed-fit-batwing-knit-top-pdf-sewing-pattern/

From the website: Featuring: loose around the bust and the waist, fitted around the hips top with a back neckline accent, hip length batwing top. Flowing around the body and fitted around the hips it creates an unlimited feminine silhouette. Back V neck with straps accent adds up a playful accent to your top. Can be dressed up for a special occasion or dressed down for a yoga practice. Designed to be made from light to mid weight knit fabric with at least 30-50% stretch.

I made mine is a sweater knit I purchased from fabric.com.  The manufacturer is Telio and this stuff is wonderful!

I made my usual size 12 (based on FULL bust measurement) in a tall size.  Tall sizes are for ladies over 5'6".  I am 5'7".

This is exactly the right amount of fitted/slouchy I was looking for.

The longest part of making this top is attaching the neckband.  After that, which BTW isn't hard, it just takes a few minutes to get everything else put together.

Isn't that back detail just darn cute?  

I see more of these in my future!

Sue

Sinclair Patterns: Tango Tunic

I was so fortunate to be able to test the Tango Tunic by Sinclair Patterns recently.  I was not only thrilled to be a pattern tester and even more honored to be chosen to participate.  Here's the image of the pattern from Sinclair's site: Tango Tunic

I made the size 12 in a tall, which is exactly what my bust measurements are.  I don't have to lengthen from the bust to the apex or the apex to my waistline.  It's almost as if these patterns are drafted just for me.  :)

Here are my two versions: 

Let me tell you about the pattern. 

It's very easy to sew.  Yes, even with those bands it is easy to sew.  And, btw, those bands are the most time consuming part of the project.  After those are sewn on, this project flies together.

For the blush and off white sweater knit, I used two sweater knits in differing weights.  The blush is from Fabric.com and the print is from Sly Fox Fabrics.  I love them both! 

I had thought about making one with the cowl and one with the split collar but once I got the collar together, I decided I needed two with the cowl.  My next one will be a split collar.

The camo/gray version are both stash remnants.  The camo is a recent project left over and the gray, I think was purchased when Hancock's went out of business (I am still sad about that!)

For this pattern, if you can get your bust/height measurement correct, you'll be fine with this pattern.  All the testers commented that the length drafting is perfect.  It doesn't matter if you are petite, within the traditional measurements, or tall. 

Have fun with this pattern!  It's on sale for a little while.  Snatch it up before you have to pay full price!

Thanks for reading!

Sue   

Harper Cardigan by Sinclair Patterns

I have another review for a Sinclair Patterns.  This is the Harper Cardigan.  I just love it.  

This comes in various sizes and lengths so you can create a bunch of these and they can all be slightly different.  

I made the classic length in a tall size.  I love these tall patterns!  

I want you to see a close-up of this gorgeous knit I purchased from Treadle Yard Goods in Saint Paul, Minnesota last summer. 

Photos do not do it justice!  It's got so much variation in the yarns and the feel of it is just so special.  For the pockets, I cut them on the cross grain and used the selvage as the top edge.  

Did I mention the texture?  

This pattern is very similar to the uber popular Blackwood Cardigan.  I wanted to try this one since I just got it printed and taped together.  Plus, at least for the time being, it's free.

The drafting is exceptional.  The fit is exactly what I wanted.

I had to shorten the sleeves just a bit as they were too long.  That rarely happens!

Due to my limited fabric and my ineptitude at measuring correctly, I had to cut the front bands in half width-wise.  I still love this and I had no intention of wearing this closed or putting a closure on it.

I am quite smitten with this and will make more!

Thanks for reading!

Sue

Sinclair Harper Classic Cardigan

More from Pattydoo! The Nora Coat

Today, I have another Pattydoo review for you!  This time, I made this adorable 'coat'.  My muslin was made from a wool blend plaid and my final garment was made from Telio sweater knit.  

I just love the design lines on this and the fact that the hood is lined.  As with the first pattydoo pattern I tried, the drafting is exceptional.   If you are interested, a link to the pattern is below.

Pattydoo Nora coat

I chose to make my 'coats' more jacket-like with no closures and with a lighter weight fabric.  

So, here is my muslin.  I thought I had matched up the plaid on the front band area, but apparently not!  I didn't have enough fabric to recut, so I am living with it.  You can also see, my band facings are made from a solid black.  In hindsight, I should have cut the black as the piece you'd see on the right side.  

At least my plaids match across the front band area!   You'll notice too that the sleeves are a tad short.  I corrected that on my final garment.  I am hoping this fits DD2.  She's shorter than I am, so this sleeve length is hopefully perfect. 

I really like that the hood is lined on this.  It gives a very nice finish.  There are no printed directions for this and there are videos, but they are in German.  Although, you can see the steps so if you have some experience, you can simply follow along and create this with no issues.

There are also side seam pockets that are very nicely drafted.  I do believe it you lengthened the finished width by about 1/4" or so, you could catch them in the band seam and then they would't flop around at all.

Here you can see those pockets.  I did tack them down to the band at the top and bottom.

Here's my second version.  I used this blush colored Telio sweater knit.  This fabric is so amazing and lucious!  If I can sew about 10 more things without purchasing additional fabric, I am going to treat myself to a few more colors of this sweater knit.  I just love it! 

Here's the inside of the jacket.  No judgement on the sewing room please! You can see the band facing is cut in two pieces. This saves on fabric yardage for sure.

I just love the fit of this.  I lengthened the sleeves by about 2 inches.  With this knit, I did leave the pockets off as I wasn't sure how the fabric would behave with the pockets constructed per the directions. 

I really took my time with this and stabilized the front band area, the shoulders, the back neckband and of course the hemlines.

This might seem a bit weird, but I starched each cut edge prior to sewing together.  I think it made the fabric a bit easier to handle.  

I did edgestitch the facing so it wouldn't roll to the outside.  

The directions have you add a piece of bias to the back neckline, which I forgot to picture.  I highly recommend this step, especially if you are using a knit.  There's a lot of weight on that part of the garment with the two piece and layer hem.

I think I have a new layering piece this winter!

Thanks for reading!

Sue