patterns

Samara Pants


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Itch to Stitch has released the Samara Pants. This are a quick sew with no pockets and an invisible zipper. I took 6 inches off the length of mine to make them more cropped. In a linen blend they are super cool and comfy for the hot weather we’ve been getting. The pattern is on sale for $8 for launch week!

I used a linen rayon blend fabric from Joann. For the first time I tried the method of prewashing on hot and drying on hot to help minimize sharp wrinkles. However, I forgot the step of pressing with a hot iron to lock in the sizing. I think it still worked pretty well. The do wrinkle but the wrinkles are pretty soft!

The pattern has back darts for a little booty shaping. In a future version I plan to omit the darts and do elastic in the back waistband so I can eliminate the darts. I also want to add some pockets! I will probably put a back patch pocket on these pants, but I plan to add some slash pockets in my next version.

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Orono Top


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Itch to Stitch has released the new Orono Top and suprise! I was pattern tester. 🙂 This pattern is 20% off for the launch week.

Orono is a raglan sleeved top with a cross over front and a high pocket. There are cleverly crafted pockets included, although I don’t find myself using mine much.

The Orono pattern is drafted for knits with 30% stretch. That means you can make it with cozy fabrics like interlock, sweatshirt or terry. Mine is made from a flecked rayon ponte I found at Joann.

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Denim Vest


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I pattern tested Itch to Stitch’s latest release the Envigado Vest. This is an anorak style vest with lots of details and an optional hood.

It makes for a great transitional layering piece as we head into Spring. I wear mine around the house a lot when I get cold or need more pockets!

As with most ITS patterns this one is cup sized. Yay! I made a straight DD with no adjustments but it has princess seams if you need to customize fit. The pattern doesn’t use much fabric but you do need a fair amount of hardware. I had a Closet Case Patterns Kelly Anorak hardware kit in my stash and I used that for my snaps, grommets and and drawstring endcaps. I love hardware kits. 🙂

The Envigado Vest is on sale for it’s launch week for $9.60.

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Danube Denim Skirt


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Itch to Stitch’s latest release is the Danube Jean Skirt. It’s a great basic skirt with side slits. The instructions for the zipper insertion in this pattern are top notch! I pattern tested and here is my skirt with no modifications. I used a midweight denim.

These side slits are awesome! It looks slim from the front but was so easy to sit down or climb stairs wearing this skirt. Way better than a back slit!

Charm Patterns Lamour Dress


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Gretchen Hirsch’s new indie pattern line Charm Patterns by Gertie has launched! I was a pattern tester for her Lamour Dress back in June and now I can finally post about it! The Lamour Dress is a Shaheen inspired fit and flare dress with a 3/4 circle skirt and several wearing options for the straps. The best part is that it’s cup sized up to DD and it actually fits your boobs! I tried making Butterick 6019, which goes up to a D cup and getting the bodice to fit was a nightmare. The sizing on this pattern is so much better!

I really love this dress! I’m wearing it with a crinoline so the skirt has more poof than if you go without!

Since it’s a Gertie pattern it’s got a lot of vintage details like spiral steel boning and a waist stay.  This isn’t a pattern for a new sewist, but if you’ve made a dress or two you can definitely make this dress. The pattern has excellent instructions! The most tedious part of making the dress was cutting out all the fabric. The bodice has 3 layers (outer fabric, under lining, lining) and lots of bodice pieces! But once that’s done it’s actually pretty quick to make the dress. Gertie’s method for doing a narrow hem makes the usually painful task of hemming a circle skirt relatively quick and easy!
For my fabric I used this anchor embroidered checked gingham taffeta that I bought in Joann eons ago! it’s perfect for this dress! The dress is lined with a red cotton and underlined with muslin. My wedges were meant for this outfit! They have little sailboats and anchors on them. 🙂

Gretchen ended up making only one change to the final pattern – changing the neckline on the larger cup sizes to be a little lower. I liked the neckline as it is as my longline bra has very full coverage cups. So something to be aware of if you make this pattern.

So what do you think? Is this pattern going on your wish list?  Gertie also has the peasant style Rita top in her Charm Patterns line! I bought this pattern on Kickstarter and I’m eager to make that too.