Sinclair Lotte Hoodie.

This pattern, has been blowing up my feed on IG.  How cute is this hoodie?

This is another winning pattern from Sinclair.  I use the US 12 Tall sizing and it fits perfectly with zero alterations.

Here's my version: 

So I am loving this blush color and I found these lovely fabrics at JoAnns in Baton Rouge when I visited by DD1, SIL, and DGD.  You may remember, our JoAnns was hit by a tornado last September and I never thought I'd be excited to visit a JoAnns again.  The Baton Rouge JoAnns is really nice and this fabric passed the feel, wash, and wear test.  Plus, that color!!! 

This is an easy pattern to put together.  Those in-seam pockets are cleverly constructed and I just love how cozy this feels on.  Plus, did I mention the color? ;) 

I really love how these patterns fit me.  I've made four now and all fit straight out of the package, so to speak.

You'll see more of these from me.

Thanks for reading and Happy New Year!

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   

Comfy, cozy, camo! Sinclair Jemma tunic

I recently became aware of Sinclair patterns and that they make TALL sizes!  If you are over 5'6" like I am, this is a special treat! 

I had to try this Jemma Tunic in the tall sizes.  I made my size based on my full bust measurement.  I really love how this fits.  

My tunic is pretty long, almost to my knees but I think it is perfect for wearing with leggings and boots.

My fabric is a sweater knit I picked up at Fabric.com.  The manufacturer is Telio and if you've read any of my previous posts, you know I just love this brand!

This ribbed knit behaved beautifully, washes beautifully, and is a pleasure to wear. 

I love the large roomy pockets on this.  

That neckband is really nice too!

I hope you'll branch out and try Indy patterns if you are not familiar with them.  Typically, the drafting is exceptional and the instructions are full of details.

I'll be review more Sinclair patterns in the future. 

If you are interested, here's a link to their website: https://sinclairpatterns.com/

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

More from Simplicity 8375--ripe for hacking!

One of my goals is to purchase block (basic) that I can adapt or design to whatever I want.  How realistic is this?  Not very but a girl can dream, right?  Here's my base pattern that I am talking about using as a block: 

How sweet is this?  Plus I really like that it's a bit more boxy than my beloved McCall's 8668.  

I recently made two tops from this.  Both are entirely different and equally fun and so suitable for summer!  Here's top 1: 

I found the inspiration for this top as a RTW online.  I didn't exactly copy it, but the styling is there.  

I hope to be able to take some photos of me wearing this soon!  Both fabrics were from my stash.  Up until recently (couple of years), I shied away from wearing yellow.  With the absolute awful weather we had this past winter, anything bright and cheery is so welcomed!

You can probably tell what I did by looking, but with the lace, I simply overlaid it with the lace, cut, and then added the ruffle.  I did roll hem the ruffle since that is what the inspiration photo had.

For this one, I obviously made sleeveless and then chose the scooped back.  Across the back, you'll see what I did.

I love tunics like this for summer.  So cool and comfortable to wear.  This fabric came from JoAnns.  I love the mustard-y yellow with the white and black.  

I just put a single strip across the back.  The neckline wasn't drooping and the shoulders were staying put.  I just wanted a little something there.  

So there you have it.  Two yellow tops from the same pattern that look totally different! 

Thanks for reading!

Sue

Another Daisy--StyleArc Daisy Designer Tunic

When you really love how a pattern turned it, it's okay to visit it again!  I so love my original Daisy Designer Tunic that I had to make another....

Here's the pattern: 

If you didn't see my original, here it is!

                       

I really love this version!  I used a mustard-yellow linen and lace for the sleeves as I didn't have quite enough fabric.  For my second version, I used this rayon my Telio.  I so love Telio fabric.  It's such a nice quality at a reasonable price.  It sews well and I love the colors and prints!  

   

Look at how fun this is!  I simply love this print.  

I didn't even try to match the motifs on the fabric across the front and back. If I remember correctly, I cut the lower band on the cross grain as I didn't have enough even with som tetrusing.  

I made a few very small alterations to this version that are different than my first.  Let me tell you what I did differently on that version first, then we will get into this one.  

I lengthened from the shoulder to the apex and below the bust curve. For more information on this, check out Designer Joi. 
I lengthened from the back shoulder to the waistline. 

For this version, I took in the front neckline only about 1/2".  That's it.

I really love how well StyleArc patterns fit me straight from the envelope.  With a few minor tweaks, they are even better.

So, once again, I didn't have quite enough fabric.  I used some tencel denim that's very lightweight as the facings for the hem and lower band.  I like how this hangs with that tiny bit of extra weight there.

Thanks for reading!

Now I need a sleeveless one for summer.

Sue :) 

Daisy Designer Tunic by Style Arc

Here's a pattern I've had for literally years but didn't sew until today.  Why?  No idea.  

Now, having put this together, I wish I'd taken the plunge so much sooner.  

This goes together fast and easy.  It's better than an ordinary tunic that's just a straight hem at the bottom.  It has this fun double hem that's faced on both the upper and lower deck. 

I of course didn't plan well enough and find out too late that I didn't have enough fabric for the sleeves.  And, since God has a sense of humor, it snowed yesterday so sleeveless didn't make a lot of sense based on the current weather pattern. 

I did however have some fun lace fabric that matches really well so short lace sleeves it is.

I supposed if I change my mind I can always make this sleeveless. 

The drafting on this pattern is typical for SA: stellar!

Directions are a bit cryptic but if you study the diagram and follow the letters to match where the lower hem and hem bands attach, you won't have any issues.  This is listed as a medium difficulty pattern but in all honesty it's easy.

I will be making more of these.  I have some lovely Telio rayon floral blends that are just screaming to be made into this fun tunic.  It's almost long enough to be a dress!  Double duty, love it!

Thanks for reading!

Sue

having fun mixing and matching fabrics

How cute is this tunic?  I love view A, with the asymmetrical side seams.  

Sorry about the indoor photos as it is dark before I leave for work and after I get home.  

I used a stretch velvet for the outer layer and wool knit for the inner layer.  The sleeves are a lightweight ponte.

Black is so difficult to photograph indoor but you get the idea of the shine and design of the fabric.  

This is such a great length for leggings, even for my 5'7" frame.  Everything is covered, both front and back.  Gotta love that!

I am showing you the underlayer here of the wool knit.  All three fabrics are washable.  

Thanks for reading!

Sue

Sewing flannel

Every once in a while, I have to pull this pattern out and play with it.  It's such a great basic. 




I love how this fits me with minimal alterations. 

My fashion photographer was making me laugh.  Such a goof sometimes, but in a good way!

As you can see, I lengthened the sleeves by 2.5 inches.  I cut the collar, stand, and cuffs on the bias.  I also added bias pockets.

I eliminated the side slits as I am hoping to wear this with leggings and I don't want any extra flesh poking out of those slits.

Here are my alterations: 

1.  I lengthened from mid-shoulder to the apex by 1 inch.

2.  I lengthened the bust curve by 1 inch.

3.  I lengthed between the shoulder blades and waistband.

That's it!

This isn't my most precise plaid matching I've ever done, but it is certainly passable and wearable.

I can't even describe to you how luscious this fabric is on your skin!  It's warm, weighty, and so very soft!  I purchased it from a quilt shop when I was in North Dakota for a business trip.

Playing with which pieces were cut on the bias was great fun!  It added a bit of creativity to a simple pattern.  

I used my Kam snaps and pliers to attach my plastic snaps.  I love these.  I promise, the snaps are lined up precisely.  They look uneven here, but aren't.  

Thanks for reading and I hope you are making some weather appropriate garments!

Sue