Itch to Stitch Arenal Top with lace shoulders

This is my third and final (for now) Arenal top by Itch to Stitch.  You can see my other two Arenal tops here.  It has taken me a long time to post these photos because there is some seriously weird lighting go on, and I planned to take better photos.  It hasn't happened in the past month, though, so I am just going with these.  Seriously, though, how is it both overcast and too sunny?

I used the 3/4 sleeves and standard hem on this version.  The knit fabric is from Pennie Fabrics in Sarasota and is very lightweight and drapey.  I have quite a bit more, and I'm not sure what to make with it.  Suggestions?  I am thinking of checking if I have enough for the dress pattern that I used to make my red tunic.

For this version, I used a little lavender lace I have had in my stash for eons.  I wanted to use the scalloped hem edge, but I didn't want to worry about bra strap show-through, so I just layered it on top of the standard tee.  For the knit fabric, I overlapped the front pattern piece and the front yoke pattern piece (the shoulder contrast) to make one whole front up to the shoulder.  Then, I used the yoke piece to cut my lace.  I just layered the lace on top of the knit fabric and constructed this as a regular tee.  Super simple, and it is a fun extra detail.

 I was a pattern tester for Kennis, and the links to Itch to Stitch pages in this post are affiliate.

Featherweight Cardigan by Knitbot in Ewe2Yarn + No-Pattern Elastic Waist Skirt

Well, I did it again.  I have gotten super behind with my posting.  Good news is there will probably be a flurry of posts for the next two weeks or so.

This is a 2-fer because the skirt is as simple as it gets.

The cardigan is the very popular "Featherweight Cardigan" by Hannah Fettig, also known as Knitbot.  I do mean popular.  Right now, there are 8,490 projects in Ravelry, but that will go up as soon as I post mine!  The beauty of this pattern is its simplicity.  If you look through the projects on Ravelry, you can get so much inspiration to customize it for yourself.  I wanted the basic version, though, since my yarn is fun.  It is hand-dyed by Ewe2Yarn.  The colorway is called Herb Garden.  

The finished sweater actually reminds me of camo, which is fun.

 The only downside to this sweater, for me, is the raglan sleeves.  I must have shlumpy shoulders or something, because raglans always seem to slide down my shoulders.  Super annoying.  I am going to add raglan-sleeve cardigans to my no-no-knit list along with single-ply yarns. (Single-ply rant here.)

 

The skirt is simple, but it sat half-finished in my sewing room for months.  It is just a rectangle seamed together to form a tube, and then fold-over elastic is stretched and stitched on the top for a waistband.  The reason it sat for months is that I made it too big at first.  I added too much ease at the hips and it was not very flattering.  The idea of unpicking the elastic, making the skirt smaller, and then re-doing the elastic was just too much.  Finally, I decided to just cut off the elastic and put on new.  Much easier.

Here is a look at the waistband.

I used a narrow-hem foot on my sewing machine for the hem.  The finish looks nice, but it was a super slow process getting the edge to go into the foot evenly.  I definitely need more practice with it.  The fabric is a poly charmeuse from Pennie Fabrics in Sarasota.  I love a nice border print, even if it is polyester!

Arenal Top by Itch to Stitch using Pennie Fabrics

Here is something fun!  I tested the new Arenal pattern by Itch to Stitch, and it is a fantastic pattern.

Here is the line drawing to give you a better idea of the style lines.  The contrasting yoke pieces lend themselves to a lot of really cute details, but the best part of the pattern for me is the handkerchief hem option and the V-neckline instructions that really do ensure a great result.

 This version uses two companion fabrics that I purchased at Pennie Fabrics in Sarasota.  They are both mid-weight rayon knits with sheer stripes.  The sleeve and yoke fabrics have narrower stripes than the body fabric, making the combo a little more fun and interesting than using only one fabric.  (My local sewing friend Myra bought some of this fabric, too, and I can't wait to see what she makes with it.)  I was lucky to find a close-colored cami at Target to layer underneath these sheer stripes.

I am so happy with how this top turned out.  It's always nice when you receive compliments on your sewing not just because someone knows you sewed it, but because they just like your top.  :-)

If I make this handkerchief hem version again, I will lengthen it an inch or two to ensure crotch coverage over leggings.  It is ok with thicker jeggings here, and the cami offers more coverage, but a longer tunic version would be nice, too.

This second version is actually the first that I sewed.  After this one, I determined I needed a wide-shoulder adjustment for future iterations.  This fabric is also from Pennie Fabrics.  It is a beefy cotton sweatshirt-type fabric.  The contrast is a terry fleece that I bought a few yards of from Mood Fabrics for a little lounge-wear ensemble that has yet to be created.

At first, I used the handkerchief hem on this top, but the thicker fabric wouldn't drape down nicely, so I changed it to the standard hem.  This is a great cozy sweatshirt.

I am very happy with this pattern.  I have another that I have already made, but I will share it in a separate post since I made a couple of small changes to the design. .


* The Itch to Stitch links are affiliate links.

Sirena Dress by Itch to Stitch

 This is my test-sew for Itch to Stitch's new Sirena Dress pattern.  As with my other Itch to Stitch projects, the fit is spot on with the barest of alterations.  I needed to let out the hip area just as much as the seam allowances would allow.

Here is a closeup of the fabric, a cotton tweed that I purchased at Pennie Fabrics in Sarasota.

The pattern includes instructions for both an invisible back zipper and an exposed metal zip.  I didn't do either.  I heard exposed zip, and I found this fun one at JoAnns.  I finished the center back at the same time as the neckline and then just top-stitched the zipper on after.

This is a great basic pattern,  There are so many variations you could easily do with this - necklines, sleeves, skirt shapes...  I am thinking of cutting my sleeves off shorter, though.  I like to show more arm. :-)

StyeArc Elle Pants (and some other stuff)

This is kind of a 3-for sewing post.  There are three recently sewn garments, but only one of them is from a pattern, so I'm putting them all here.

These pants are StyleArc's Elle Pant, with many thanks to my local sewing friend, Myra, for enabling me to finally try the company.  She seems to wear pants made from this pattern often, and they always look great!

My pants fabric is a stretchy woven with a fuzzy texture, like velveteen.  I bought the fabric at Pennie Fabrics in Sarasota and purchased another fabric at the same time for a second pair of these pants.  I made this pair first since the fabric was less expensive.  That's my version of a muslin.  Ha!

The vest is also a fabric from Pennie Fabrics.  It is such a fun, unique wool fabric that I had to have some.  I was originally planning a sleeveless top to wear over a long-sleeved tee, but in the end, I decided to try a waterfall cardigan-style vest.  It is "self drafted," but really, it's just a big rectangle with holes cut for arms and hemmed all the way around and at the armholes.  Looking at these photos, I'm going to take another look at the hems and trim any bits sticking out and give it a good pressing.  The edges look sloppy to me here.

Back to the pants - I do have an issue with horizontal lines forming around the legs while wearing.  Does this mean they are a little too snug?  Does anyone know?  I'm not sure whether to cut my next pair a half inch larger at the outseam to try and combat that.  I don't want to give up the close fit, though.  These are supposed to be skinny pants, like woven leggings.  I guess if I do cut them a bit larger, I can always take out the extra if I want.

 The top is made from a very stretchy ribbed knit  from Fabric.com that I purchased specifically with this outfit in mind.  Since it was so stretchy, I didn't want to use a regular pattern but instead traced a similar purchased tee shirt in my closet.  It worked out fine.

 For the hems, I just zig-zagged over the raw edges.

 I wanted to play with the ribs at the neckline and so I used the cross-grain.  Um, don't do that.  I should have known better.  It doesn't have enough stretch this way.  It barely fits over my head!

So overall, a successful winter outfit... just in time for spring to arrive here in Florida.   :-)

Vogue 1439 pants in RED

These pants are my favorite ever!!  Between the zippered pockets and the awesome fabric that does NOT bag out at the end of the day, they are my best yet.

 The pattern is Vogue 1439.

I was drawn to the fun little zippered pocket on the front.  I made the zipper exposed on my version in keeping with my more casual fabric, and I'm really pleased with how it came out.

 ...so pleased in fact, that I used zippers on the back welt pockets as well,even though the pattern includes regular single welt pockets.

 I am happy with the fit of these also.  I have documented my own personal challenges with fitting pant legs for my "protruding thighs." Ugh I hate that fitting term.

Overall, a great pattern I may make again.  The fabric is from Pennie Fabrics in Sarasota and it is really fantastic.  Nassir (the owner) kept telling me how great this pants fabric is, so I finally bought some, and yes, he was right!  It has some stretch but doesn't bag out.  The recovery lasts all day.  I would love to get some in white or a pale tan, but I think he only had bright colors last time I was there.

 I must sheepishly admit that I bought this top at Target a week ago.  I even have a couple of striped knit  fabrics waiting to become tees, but I saw this and couldn't not succumb.  I have a slight stripe infatuation.

Waffle Patterns Pepernoot Hooded Coat

I haven't been doing a lot of sewing since finishing Christmas gifts, but I did finish up this coat, which has been half-finished for a while.  I am really pleased with how this turned out.  Perfect?  Of course not.  I could show you detail shots of every mistake, but I'm not going to do that.  On the whole, I'm really happy with this.  :-)  

The pattern is the Pepernoot Hooded Coat pattern by Waffle Patterns.  I didn't really know anything about this company when I purchased the pattern, but the design is so cute, I had to give it a try.  I found the instructions to be adequate.  They don't walk you through every detail, so I might not recommend this for your first attempt at sewing a wool coat, but they were alright.

There is plenty of ease in this pattern for a thick sweater.  I want to make a lighter jacket version, and I will take out some of the ease in the body. 

 I went with white zippers to add a little spice to the coat.  The fabric is a medium-weight wool coating from Pennie Fabrics in Sarasota.  This is the perfect lightweight coat for here.

 The hood is really nicely drafted.  It lays beautifully when down...

 and stays up nicely, too.

 The zippered patch pockets attracted me to the pattern.  They are really unique.  The sleeve tabs are a nice detail, also.

 I added a fun pink print lining.  The lining fabric is from Gorgeous Fabrics.

Itch to Stitch Idyllwild in ponte

This is my first version of Itch to Stitch's Idyllwild Top and Dress pattern.  I've been using the super out-of-print Butterick 3344 for many years as my basic tee shirt pattern. I figured it was time for an upgrade since that one is falling apart and skin-tight (in the style of 10 years ago).  I bought this pattern a while ago when it was first released for $1.  The price has gone up, but it is still a great pattern.

This pattern offers two rounded neckline options (I made the deeper one) and lots of sleeve options.  There are also options for ruching on the long sleeves and the body of the top.  My measurements put me smack dab between an XS and a S, so I just cut right in between the two sizes.  I'll size down on my next version.  I took a bit out of the side seams after putting together the body of this one, but I also think the roomier fit would be fine with a more lightweight fabric - just not this ponte.

 This is one beefy tee.  The fabric is from my beloved Pennie Fabrics in Sarasota.  In hindsight, it would have made a fab ponte dress, but I had my mind set on a tee.

I think I prefer it tucked in like this.

Here it is untucked.  Not loving that look in this fabric.  This feels like a dressier tee, not one I will throw on with my yoga pants for a 7:30 am bike ride to school.

It's funny I never know what creations will be a hit with the Hubs.  This is the most basic of basic tees, but he really liked it and noticed the contrast inside neck band :-) which brings us to...

 Probably my favorite detail of this tee is the little striped strip that I added to the back neckline.  This really elevates the whole top.  I'd had the idea in my head after reading this post, and Kennis actually does mention this step in her pattern, which is an awesome detail.  I think she suggests bias tape, but after some serious inspection of my ready-to-wear tees, I discovered they have strips of lightweight knit fabric.  I pulled this bit out of my fabric scraps and am thrilled to pieces with the result.  I photographed my process and plan to do a little tutorial about it.

Here is the view on the outside of the back.  The wider top-stitching on the back than on the front is taken straight from my ready-to-wear tees.

FYI, the links to Itch to Stitch are affiliate links.  I promise I'm not getting rich.  :-)