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  

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

The Grace Transeasonal Coat

I've finally made the Grace Trans-Seasonal Coat for the winter.  This is a StyleArc pattern, and you all know, I am a big fan! Here's a description: 

This is an easy-to sew, unlined coat with a fabulous collar--wear it up hugging the neck or open to give a more casual look.  Great deep buttoned pockets that are able to carry all that you need. Interesting seam treatment along with bound edges gives this coat a unique look.  

The Grace coat is a fashionable over coat and will become one of your favorites.  

I made this with a wool melton I ordered from Fabricdotcom.  I just love the color and the feel of this wool.  It doesn't ravel at all.  

I decided to add a lining to this coat to make it a bit warmer and I just love adding fun linings to my coat.  Why be boring when you can be bold?  Since the pattern didn't come with lining or instructions to line this, I drafted my own.  It isn't hard and there are so many tutorials online, you can find one that's easy to do.

The lining is a rayon by Telio found at fabricdotcom.  Again, I am a huge Telio fan and wow is this fabric not only pretty but I love how the color compliments the olive wool.

And, since I added the lining, I decided to add another touch and that was to the piping between the facing and lining.  I made my own (naturally) and love the custom touch! 

The buttons, which I really like, are from Hobby Lobby.  Right now, that's the only place in Sioux Falls I can get buttons for garments.  I've really got to stock up on things like buttons, zips, etc.  You never know when you'll need something and no one locally carries it. 

Would you look at my welt pockets?  I decided to add that little 'lip' at the top edge to give this a bit more oomph.  I love it!

You can't see it, but I also idd double rows of topstitching on the major seams.  

This coat is very oversized.  Based on the modifications I made, this is a size down from my typical SA pattern use.  I think it's pleasantly oversized but not so much so.

Can I have you check out how deep those pockets are?  My entire hand, up to the wrist, fits well inside.  

Plus, that collar!  You can flip it up and I added the buttons at the neckline.  If HL had two more of the buttons, I would have added them to the flaps on the welt pockets.  Dang.  I'll have to see if I can get more online. 

Thanks so much for reading!  I got my new coat completed just in time for the snow!

Sue :) 

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

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

The Bela by Gina Renee Designs

Happy summer all!  Today, I have for you a new to me pattern company.  Here's a pic of the dress and a link to the pattern: 

Gina Renee Bela Dress

How adorable is this dress?  One of the most fun things about the on-line sewing community is that you get introduced to new designs, new ideas, and new pattern companies.  One of my favorite IG sewing buddies is birdy sew obsessed.  She makes the most beautiful things and I find myself copying her makes.  

She made this dress is an off-white silk crepe with black silk accents.  I knew I wanted something far more casual as when I return to work on August 1st, I will be in classrooms more often than I have been the past two years.  There's nothing worse than a three year old wiping his/her nose (insert  other bodily cavity here) on your hemline, neckline, or sleeve.  I needed something washable. Know what I mean?

I found this Telio stretch poplin at Fabric.com.  I so love Telio!  It is such nice quality for not a hefty price tag.  I thought this print was so perfect for summer.

I made this pattern as is meaning I didn't adjust for sizing.  It needs to slip on and off over your head.  For the next version, I will raise the back slit so it's a little more bra friendly.  I may also go down a size as while this is generous, I think I could go down one size and be fine.

How cute are those sleeve details?  The entire neckline and sleeves are edged in bias tape.  This bright blue is from my stash.  Several years ago, I purchased a rather sizeable amount of antique bias tapes, rick-rack, etc.  I am still reaping the rewards of that purchase.  Luckily it matched perfectly.

I really like this dress.  It's very comfortable and casual, plus it's washable.

Thanks for the inspiration birdy!

Happy sewing!

Sue

Saltbox woven top version 1

This summer all I seem to want to sew are woven tees!  When I came across this cute little pattern on Indie Sews, I knew I had to have it.  This is the Saltbox Tee/Tank by Blueprints.  It has a difficulty level of 1 out of 4 and aI agree.  

This is very simply described as a tee or tank with asymmetrical pieced bodice and side vents at the hem.  It calls for medium weight fabrics such as quilting cotton, chambray, linen blends, rayon challis or light weight fabrics such as viole, lawn, double gauze, crepe de chine or charmeuse.  

I used two fabrics from my stash.  I am so enjoying stash busting these days as I am finding TREASURES!  

The yellow floral is a remnant from a previous dress.  The manufacturer is Telio and this rayon feels like silk on your skin.  The white is simply a cotton shirting I picked up when Hancock's was going out of business (insert hysterical crying here over loosing Hancocks!)

This goes together quickly and easily.  To choose your size, you'll need to check out the finished measurement chart included with the PDF and do some flat pattern measurements.  I feel like this is roomy and comfortable without being overly sized.  This fits me well through the shoulders.  I went down a size after doing some measurements and am glad I did.  

I can see more of these in my summer.  I especially want to make this cute sleeveless version with a chiffon or lace inset.  How cute would that be?

Thanks for reading!

Sue