Visby Striped Raglan Top

Itch to Stitch’s latest pattern is the Visby top. This is a super versatile pattern that has options for a quick-to-make raglan top, a henley, or a hooded henley.  Plus it’s on sale for launch week! As a pattern tester for Visby, I made View B the raglan top.

I have had this striped double knit fabric from Hart’s Fabric in my stash since the fall, but I hadn’t found the right project for it until Visby! This denim-y blue fabric has wide stripes one side and fine stripes on the other that are also toned due to the large stripes. So it was perfect to make a raglan top! I used the fine striped side for the body and neckline and the wide striped side for the sleeves and cuffs.

With just 4 pattern pieces, View B is a quick make. I think it was about 3 hours from when I clicked print to when I finished the hem. A few notes on this pattern… First check the sleeve length. It’s intentionally pretty long. I had limited fabric and I took about 4″ out of the sleeve length to fit it on my fabric and they hit me just above my wrists. I like raglans with 3/4 sleeves so I will mostly wear this with the sleeves pushed up. The body is also a bit longer than you might expect. I like the length though!  I really like the deep cuffs on this too.

I definitely think, for me, this is a superior pattern to the Hey June Lane Raglan. The poor grading on the larger sizes of the Lane result in a ridiculously big neckline. It practically falls off my shoulders! While I had thought about fixing it, I think I’ll just stick with making Visbys.

Once I find the right fabric, I’m definitely going to make the henley version as I love henley!  Someone also mentioned that this would be a great rashguard too! I could also see this in a technical fabric as layering piece for hiking or snowboarding. I love patterns with many uses.

Black Black Blackwood Cardigan

I have a huge backlog of projects from 2017 that I never photographed or blogged. Here’s the first one! Early in the fall I made a Helen’s Closet Blackwood Cardigan. The fabric is a rib knit from Joann.

This is a great layering piece that I wear to work ALL THE TIME! I need more. I have some fabric to make the short version and it sews up so quick that I have no excuse for not making it already!

I’m also wearing my Springfield cami hack which I posted to instagram and never blogged. I don’t wear it much because the color is not great for me and I don’t have a bra that works well with it. I’m also noticing in these photos that you can see the facing hem across my bust so I need to lower that next time!

Sequoia Shorts

I pattern tested the latest from Itch to Stitch the Sequoia Shorts and Pants. These were designed with hiking in mind which is definitely something I need in my wardrobe! I went with making the shorts, which meant I had to shave my legs for the first time in a loooong time but it was well worth it!

You can’t see it but the waistband is partially ribbing with elastic in the middle which is comfortable but secure with no need for a belt. There’s not even belt loops in the pattern! I made a muslin before making these in cotton twill from Joann. I’m glad I did because I desperately needed a fully tummy adjustment. Looking at these pics I should have done a little more in my adjustment but they feel pretty good. I also straightened out the legs on shorts.

The pants version has cargo pockets and roll up straps too. I’m hoping this fabric will stretch a little with wear as they are a smidge too tight and kind of stiff. If I make again I will probably opt for a stretch fabric, but overall this is a great pattern! I love all the pockets.

This pattern is 20% off for one week (until 1/31/18) so grab it for less during the launch sale at https://itch-to-stitch.com/product/sequoia-cargos-shorts-digital-sewing-pattern-pdf/. No coupon needed.

 

2018 Make Nine Challenge

I have accumulated way too may pattern/fabric combos for projects that have never been completed, so I decided to use the 2018 Make Nine Challenge as a means to get them done.  I’m focusing on primarily using fabric and patterns from my stash. For all nine project I only lack one pattern (Ames Jeans) and one fabric (Asaka Kimono).  I’m also focusing on more complex projects for my Make Nine. I’m sure I’ll sew up a bunch of knit garments in addition to these!

So here are my 9 projects

  1. Cashmerette Harrison Shirt in Chambray
  2. Closet Case Files Kalle Tunic in Black & White Plaid
  3. Mercer Tunic in swiss dot chambray
  4. Itch to Stitch Mila Top in neon flecked grey chambray
  5. Grainline Archer shirt in red/black buffalo plaid flannel
  6. Cashmerette Webster Top in Yellow Floral viscose poplin
  7. Named Asaka Kimono in unpurchased floral fabric
  8. True Bias Lander Shorts in black twill
  9. Cashmerette Ames Jeans in Cone Mill Denim

Sewing Stuff Organizer

I made my sister Natalie a pretty sweet birthday gift – this Roadtrip case! The pattern is by Noodlehead and gives you instructions for customizing it for various purposes. I followed the sewing bag tips.  My sister does quilt retreats and I thought it would be handy. I also made her a coordinating ironing pad that fits inside this case. I thought I took photos of that but I can’t find them!

The fabric is all Cotton + Steel and is mostly the Rifle Paper Co Menagerie line with some blenders from other lines. The outside fabric is the linen canvas and all the other fabric is quilting cotton.

I put this tiger front and center! On the inside I used the smaller version of this print as the lining. Kam snaps were used to fasten the pockets.  You can fit a full sized rotary cutter in the larger ones.

I customized the pattern by embroidering my sister’s name on it. I also replaced the felt bits for pins with super magnets! Boom! Built in magnetic pincushions. Two of them!

The top pocket is made of vinyl so you can see all your stuff.  I ended up hand basting the binding on so I could sew it in one pass. On version I made myself I did not like how doing it in two steps turned out and once you sew it you have holes in the vinyl!

I brought my case to a workshop with Latifah Saafir and she admired it. It was definitely great to have my stuff more organized than just throwing it all in a bag. 🙂