Tag Archives: rayon

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.

Note: this post contains affiliate links.

Updated Fringe Blouse

posted by lorene

on 03.20.2019

Chalk and Notch released an updated version of their popular Fringe Dress & Blouse and I was excited to pattern test it! This new version extends the size range to 24 and add A/B and C/D cup options! The pattern is on sale for $11.50 for the relaunch.

Since it’s a loose fitting design it’s also pretty forgiving for even larger busted ladies. I make a G/H in Cashmerette but the C/D worked fine for me.

My blouse was sewn using a rayon crepe fabric I bought at Joann. This is definitely a fiddly fabric to cut, but the crepe texture is also very forgiving.

I did not include the belt ties and only made a half hearted effort at pattern matching but I’m loving this a spring blouse. One thing to note is that despite staystitching, my neckline did stretch out, which resulted in a low v-neck. To make this top work appropriate I have to wear a cami under it.

It’s very nice to see Chalk & Notch extending their sizes. I hope they do the Joy Jacket next as I already own it and I don’t want to have to do an FBA. 🙂

City Lights Turner Dress

posted by lorene

on 11.14.2016

Cashmerette is out with another knit dress pattern – the Turner Dress. The Washington dress isn’t really my style so I was glad to see something I would actually wear! I picked this up at Modern Domestic on Saturday and by Sunday Night I had a new dress.

Altogether I think this took me under 3 hours to trace, cut, and sew. I used a rayon/spandex blend which is not the easiest fabric so I spent extra time pinning. The dress is just 4 pattern pieces.

Speaking of fabric, this is from the Nicole Miller collection at Joann Fabric. All Nicole Miller was 60% off so I finally bought some. This particular print is called Urban Movement. It looks almost like a kaleidoscope of abstract city lights. I had to be careful of my pattern placement with this print.

If I had one complaint about this pattern it would be that I had to use 3 machines – sewing, serger, coverstitch. I prefer to do knits with just my serger and coverstitch, but the v-neckline needed to be sewed and the instructions called for under stitching the neckline.

I sewed a 18 G/H and I think the fit is good but the waist might be a little big. I think it’s a very flattering style that I could wear without my spanx as it camouflages my tummy.

This dress is bit fancy looking so I will probably wear it to work. I might make another one out of french terry or some other cozy stretch fabric for more casual wear.

Thumbs up, Cashmerette. This one’s a keeper!