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. .


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Simplicity 1355 in Rayon Cotton print from Mood Fabrics

I have wanted to make a second version of Simplicity 1355 since I made the first one last summer.  I thought that the pattern would really sing in a lighter weight fabric, and I think I was right.  :-)

The fabric is a Rayon/Cotton poplin from Mood Fabrics in a navy and white geometric print.  I love this fabric!  As soon as I saw it on the site, it had to become this romper.  The only downside to the fabric is that the garment requires a quick ironing after coming out of the dryer, but my tolerance for ironing has gone up in recent years.

This thing is just so comfortable and cool for summer.  Hubs is a bit dubious about the whole romper/jumpsuit genre of clothing, but whatever.  After 12 years of marriage, we can agree to disagree on this.  I figure it's just like a dress but more casual and easier to sit on the ground to play Legos or cut out another sewing project!

 I made two changes to the pattern for this version.  First, I raised the back to cover my bra.  To do this, I laid out my back pattern piece on my fabric.  Then, I marked the intersection of the center back and the armhole depth. Finally, I made a straight line through the top of the back piece (where the back attaches to the shoulder strap, minus seam allowance) through the new mark, and down to the bottom of the piece.  This makes a wider overlap, but that is fine with me.  I also tacked the backs together where they cross.

The second change I made was to use a drawstring waist instead of elastic.  I like the adjust-ability of the drawstring and the style of the ties.  I'd like to add some wooden beads to the ends of the ties for a little pizzazz but need to get some with big enough holes.  I made little fabric tubes for the visible ends of the ties, but for easier sliding in the casing, I used some silk cording for the hidden part.  One of my cleverer ideas, I think.  The only change needed from the pattern was to make to little buttonholes in the garment-side of the casing for the ties to poke through.

Here is a detail shot of the shoulder.  I really like this pleated detail, which is very similar to Simplicity 1810 but with one tuck instead of two.  If you can't find that out of print pattern, this would be a good starting point for a recreation of that dress.

Butterick 6021

I don't know about this, guys.  I am not loving it - fabric or pattern.  :-(

This is Butterick 6021.  How cute is that pattern envelope?  I was really drawn to the light blue version.  Flowy and flouncy and just so cute for summer.  The reality on me, though, doesn't quite translate, I'm afraid.

For starters, the narrowest part of my waist is pretty high.  Post-baby-making gut, I guess.  The elasticized waist just naturally creeps up to the around the bottom of my rib cage, and I think it makes the proportions look different on me.  I can pull it down, of course, but it just climbs back up.  The second fit issue is the straps.  They are a hair too wide-set for me, which is surprising since I have pretty broad shoulders for my size.  Also, the armholes are a bit tight and uncomfortable.  Of course, all of this could be easily fixed with a second version, but I'm not sure this dress is for me.

I do still like the hem on the skirt section, and the side view is cute.  Actually, maybe this just wants to be a fun skirt.  I could hack off the bodice easily enough and have a fun elasticized spring skirt.

 The skirt is very full...

 And it was very clever of Butterick to add a "lining" to the skirt, which is just a little pencil skirt to keep you covered during those inevitable windy moments.

With the wide set shoulders, I'm surprised they covered my bra straps in the back long enough to take a pic!  The fabric is from JoAnn Fabrics.  I really like the floral print and overlooked the 100% polyester content.  Oh, Jennifer, will you never learn?  I feel not unlike I am wearing a plastic bag.  :-(  No breathe-ability, which is kind of essential for a spring/summer dress in Florida.

I tried some accessorizing options.  Here it is with my Lesley Pullover.  These two pieces are a great match, but it was a bit bulky to wear.  This is making me really consider turning this into a skirt, though.

Here it is with a belt.  Not bad, but this particular belt is way too small for me.  Time to donate.  I am also accessorizing with a lovely skein of yarn I am planning to make into a little shrug.  

Finally, another skein of yarn.  I have enough of this for a full blown cardi, but I am thinking of some type of sleeveless top to wear with this once it becomes a skirt, because I'm pretty sure that is happening.

What do you think?  Should I go with the skirt option, or does this have redeeming qualities I am missing?  :-)  I am going to wear this with a cardi today to do the music at a casual wedding, so I'll see how it feels to wear for longer than a little photoshoot.

Itch to Stitch Idyllwild Top in Wool Blend Jersey

I kind of feel like blogging about this is cheating, but whatever.  This blog documents my handmade things, and I made this basic tee shirt.  :-)  This is the Idyllwild Top by Itch to Stitch.  The fabric is this wool blend knit from Gorgeous Fabrics.  I have made this top once before with a very different fabric and the higher neckline.  I like how different these tops are in style!

 I pre-washed my fabric, but it still shrunk up in the length a bit after washing the finished top.  I kind of wish I had done the shirttail hem I am so fond of lately, but oh well, this is a great basic that I have been wearing often.

I really like the wool blend jersey.  It's a bit see-through, so a tank is a must, but it is not scratchy at all.  It just looks like a great casual, drapey tee.  The bag shown in the first photo above is my recent Market Bag and the pants are Simplicity 1696.

Liberty Purchases!... now I have to wait.

There are some fabrics coming to my house.  I haven't ordered anything from fabric.com in quite some time, but I had to have some Liberty.

I think I'm going to call this one the start of my Easter dress (because that's the only way I am justifying buying two yards of it).  I am thinking a classic wrap dress with my TNT Vogue 8379.

One Liberty print wasn't enough, though.  I got a bit of this cotton lawn.  I'm not sure exactly what it will be come, though - either a simple dress or a full skirt.

Did you see Waffle Patterns' new coat pattern?  So nice.  I keep saying I need a rain coat, so I ordered some nylon fabric with that on mind.  I love a white jacket!

This cotton knit jumped into my cart, too.  How cute will this be made up as a tank top with some white shorts this summer?

And my last purchase.  This cotton batik just spoke to me.  I love a graphic batik and a border print to boot, and these colors are so "me."  This will definitely be a sundress in my near future.