How many t-shirt patterns does one person need?  No, don’t answer that, it was a rhetorical question!  Apparently it only takes a slightly different detail in combination with a sale price for me to press the “buy it now” button.

This is the Itch to Stitch Newport top, in the 3/4 fluted sleeve option. From the website: Snuggle-worthy yet effortlessly elegant, the Newport Top is one garment that you won’t regret making. The Newport’s details are understated, but you surely will not go unnoticed. Use a soft sweater knit for an instant sweater, or use a fluid jersey for a casual tee. Oh, you also get to choose between regular long sleeves and 3/4 flute sleeves. Of course you can always make two tops and try both styles of sleeves.

Newport Top Features:

• Boxy silhouette with a relaxed fit
• Wide boat neckline
• “Envelope fold” shoulders
• High-low hem
• Two sleeve options: 3/4 flute  and regular long
• Layers feature (print only the sizes you need)

I also attempted to do some stash-busting and combined a cotton/spandex knit for the body with some fabulous Alice in Wonderland printed knit from Crafty Mamas Fabrics for the sleeves.  I also used the print for the front and back neckline facings.

I can’t actually remember what size I sewed, but in retrospect it was probably one size too large. As always, check the finished garment measurements and choose your size according to your ease preferences!

This was particularly apparent when I sewed the long sleeved version of the pattern. The sleeves were much too wide. I don’t have any photos on me, but since taking this one on Ada I have taken quite a bit of width from the sleeves, narrowing them considerably toward the wrist and I think giving the top a better silhouette on me.

These are also Crafty Mamas Fabrics. I’m always thrilled with the quality of the fabrics that I get from Lisa, and they come in some terrific prints. This t-shirt pattern does have nice details. The envelope neckline is particularly nice (once you get over the comparison to the the neckline on baby garments), and I always like a high-low hemline.

My advice on this pattern is to be careful with sizing – make sure you measure yourself and check the pattern measurements too. But shouldn’t you (we) do that for every pattern anyway?

(with Style Arc Misty jeans, as per usual)

I took a bit of a punt with this style.  I really didn’t know whether it would work on me or not, but hey, it’s only fabric!

It’s the Style Arc Serena knit dress. From their website:  This dress has a fabulous pivoted arm shape that angles down into the side seam to create a designer dress. The optional front tie allows this style to have two different looks. The length sits below the knee.
See this useful tutorial on how to sew corner seams. FABRIC SUGGESTION & DESCRIPTION: Light Ponte , Knit or Jersey.

I bought the pattern in a bundle with the right enough amount of ponte to sew the dress. Thanks Style Arc!  I sewed size 12 (I think I made it a little larger at the side seams) and eliminated the loop and button closure at the centre back.  I have a small head and the fabric has stretch.

You can see some of the seaming a bit better in the above photo. I used the sewing machine to sew the corner seams, as per Style Arc’s tutorial. It wasn’t difficult, I just needed to make sure that I’d stabilised the pivot point well before clipping in to it. The ties were narrow hemmed on the machine, and otherwise construction was shared between the overlocker and the machine.

Yes, usual issues with wrinkles at back waist. Moving right along….

So, verdict? It’s ponte, so easy to wear. I wear a jacket over it to work, therefore the wrinkles at the back aren’t an issue. And the front ties? They remind me of the early 1980s when we wore our jumpers tied around our waists. I think it may have been in some sort of effort to disguise our butts or guts – but suspect that it probably emphasised them instead? Anyway, I quite like the ties. I feel that they distract (me) a bit from the part of my body that I am least at ease with. And for those of you who are blessed in the waist department, I think that this dress would look stunning! It’s pretty good on Ada – and she doesn’t have a head!

I made the Grainline Linden top a couple of times last winter.  I found it a great pattern for relaxed tops for those “at home” days.  I also found it a great way to use up remnants. Got to love a raglan sleeve!

The patterned viscose blend knit came from the remnant bin at The Cloth Shop. The sold wool/acrylic blend knit came from Super Cheap Fabrics. I think that they combined really well in this top.

Because I’d sewn it before the pattern pieces already had any pertinent alterations made. I sewed size 10, with length removed from the sleeves both above and below the elbow.

From the Grainline website: The Linden Sweatshirt gives a modern update to the classic sweatshirt. Featuring a relaxed fit, raglan sleeves, and a graceful slightly scooped neckline, this sweatshirt is perfect for fall layering. View A features long sleeves with cuffs and falls to the mid hip with a lower ribbing band while View B hits at the high hip and has short sleeves. You can also mix and match sleeve and body lengths to create multiple versions of this sweatshirt.

This was constructed entirely on the overlocker. Because bands were used to finish the sleeves, hem and neckline it was very quick to assemble. I decided not to twin needle the neckband in place – it pressed well enough with the iron, and I was probably being too lazy to change the needle in the machine! Either way, its a nice relaxed addition to my wardrobe.

I tend to choose tops that are fitted through the shoulders and bust, but then flare out loosely over the mid-section.  Simplicity 1323 is a good example.

The Simplicity website says:  Stay comfortable and chic with this sportswear pattern for Misses. Draped knit top has option of contrasting band, and can be worn with pull-on knit pants and stylish infinity scarf.

I sewed view B, possibly in size 12 (I’d need to pull out the pattern to check).  It was actually very straightforward.  One pattern piece for the front, one for the back, one for the sleeve, plus a long piece cut on the cross grain for binding the neckline.  The centre front seam made it very easy to bind the V-neckline – this is done before sewing up the centre from seam, so there is no awkwardness navigating the angle.  You just need to make sure that you pin it well to line it up perfectly.

The rusty orange knit came from Super Cheap Fabrics, and was described as a dry knit. It’s a bit of a crepe texture, and has a good weight for such a flared style. The folds just fall straight down.

It was also super easy to hem – lots of straight lines! I used Vliesofix (double sided fusible) tape as usual to secure the hems before top-stitching. Most of the construction was on the overlocker. This was a quick sew.

The pants are a pattern I’ve used before (but not as often as I think I should – it’s great). It’s the Flat Bottom Flo, from Style Arc.

As Style Arc say on their website, Every butt has a different shape! This stretch pull on pant is for those with a flatter bottom. The back side seam comes to the front giving this slightly narrow legged pant a slimming look and the back yoke adds to this flattering shape.

Whoops, pant leg caught up on the back of my shoe! I sewed size 10, in a printed stretch bengaline I found at Super Cheap Fabrics. I did shorten the pattern pieces both above and below the knee to account for my 158cm height These were SO fast to sew! The back yoke is a nice detail, and I really like the forward side seams. Together this top and pants make a comfortable work outfit. I do still have some wrinkles at the back leg, but that is a combination of both the style and how thin my legs are compared to the rest of me. It’s a big change to get from the sizing I need around my middle to the sizing I need around my thighs! The stretch in the bengaline and elastic waist combination mean that I can get pants to fit me comfortably but not be ridiculously large in the leg.

I’m pretty happy with this outfit combination. It’s not “wow”, but it’s a steady, sturdy performer.  (And Style Arc, if you’re listening, I have a friend who has requested a “Big Bottom Betty” pant that would work well for her figure!)

Now that Hot Patterns sell their patterns in pdf (only A4 and letter versions, no A0 option, but the postage on the hard copies of their patterns is a killer) I am starting to buy more of them. I think that I’ve also got the sizing worked out for me – in knits, at least.

This is the Hot Patterns Weekender Swingy Sweatshirt (worn here with Style Arc Elle pants in bengaline). Their website describes it as follows: Get the laid-back cool and classic comfort of a sweatshirt or sweater dress, with a dressy, modern twist. Top and dress are designed for knit fabrics with a little body and stretch, like velour or stretch velvet, ponte or double knits, French terry, lightweight fleece, sweatshirt, T-shirt, or sweater knits. Pull-on A-line sweatshirt or sweater dress has a center back seam, angled side seams & bust darts for a neat fit. Mix up the details for the perfect look: choose a long flared sleeve or add a turn-back cuff; make the optional cut-in pockets or not; pick a boat-neck or a shapely semi-V neck. Make it your best length too, either a thigh-length tunic or a knee length dress. Sleeve and body hems and necklines are finished with deep stitched facings. These are the perfect throw-on-&-go pieces-try skinny or bootcut pants under the sweatshirt, pull on your favorite boots with the dress, maybe add a scarf and you’re d-o-n-e done…

It’s pretty obvious that I sewed the sweatshirt, pretty much as per the pattern illustration.  Boat-neck, pockets, cuffs on the flared sleeves.  My measurements put me at around a size 14 but I took an educated guess and sewed size 10.  That seemed to work for me. No alterations to the pattern.

Actually, that’s not quite true. A couple of weeks after I sewed this (and while sewing the sweater dress from the same pattern) I unpicked the sleeve cap from the armhole seam and re-sewed it, shaving off around a centimetre from the “point” at the top of the sleeve. After doing this the entire sleeve sat much better on me.

It’s a pretty wide boat neckline, as described. It covers my bra straps, but only just. That is something to consider depending on how you like your necklines. I did like that despite it being a boat neckline, it didn’t choke me. And my neck doesn’t get cold – because I have a plethora of scarves and shawls to choose from! The one in these photos was knitted by my Mum in Wollmeise. Thanks Mum!  I think that the pattern is the Settler Shawl by Libby Jonson.

I used the textured side of a green/blackish mid-weight sweater type knit that was in stash as the right side of the fabric. Oh where, oh where did I get this? Was it Rathdowne? Was it at Restash? I really cannot remember – but it’s great fabric! I really like those curved pockets and the wide cuffs. The wide sleeves can be a little annoying though – they don’t fit well under other garments, so to keep warm I’d be better off layering other garments underneath this sweatshirt rather than trying to find things to go over it. I do have a few cape-type things that would work though. I really don’t think I’m likely to jump on the statement sleeves trend in a big way, because I just can’t figure out what to put on top to stay warm! Maybe in summer.

So, the verdict? This pattern is a winner. Hot Patterns have a very active Facebook group, if you are interested in sewing their patterns. I find that more people who sew them post their than in blogs or on Instagram. There are some terrific versions of this pattern popping up, and I bet that there will be more.

This pattern has been in my stash for ages.  It was plotter printed – quite different to the fancy printing that Style Arc do nowadays, so must have been from some time ago.

Style Arc describe the Cross Over Kit as follows:  This knit wrap top has a full under piece and an over wrap piece that pulls through a side buckle wear it by its self or team it with a contrast cami underneath. Short sleeve pattern also included in the pattern pack. FABRIC SUGGESTION & DESCRIPTION: Jersey knit.

I used a printed stretch crepe from Spotlight, and a vintage buckle that was in my stash.  This was very easy to sew.  Construction was on the overlocker, and hems done on the machine with a twin needle.

Style Arc suggest wearing this over a contrast cami, which would have been better than doing what I did and using a safety pin on the neckline to make it work appropriate. I found this a very comfortable top to wear, especially underneath a long line cardigan/jacket.

I sewed a size 12, with some side seam shaping removed to give me more belly room. I am still tossing up whether the “ruching around the belly helps to minimise it” theory is actually correct. I suspect that it probably is if you have a more defined waist than I do, but it runs the risk of looking like sausage casing on me. This top is loose enough that where it gathers into the buckle doesn’t actually stretch the fabric too tightly over my tum, but I have tried others (like the Issy top) where I just haven’t felt comfortable with where the gathers lie.

So, verdict? I do like this top, and it will work well in my winter work wardrobe (especially considering that it will usually have other items layered over it). Comfy, easy to wear. Just remember that camisole!

This Style Arc Maisie designer dress was half sewn during a recent trip to Sewjourn.  I began with the bodice – and the knit fabric I was using did NOT agree with my sewing machine or overlocker at all!  Far too slinky and the machines just chewed it up.  I quickly threw the bodice pieces into the bin (and the rest of the bodice fabric followed suit when I returned home), figuring that I would have something else in my stash that would work.

So only the skirt was sewn at Sewjourn – but when I got home I quickly ferreted through stash and found something suitable for the bodice! The dress was completed that night.

The skirt was sewn from cotton sateen (with a small stretch component) from Darn Cheap Fabrics, and the bodice is a mid-weight double knit in a mottled green/black. I used the smooth side as the outer; the other side is more textured, almost like a french terry but not quite. I wish I could remember where that knit came from!

I sewed size 12, my usual Style Arc size for tops and dresses. The fit is not perfect – usual back bodice issues and some slight folds above the bust at the armhole (FBA needed?) – but I really, really like the finished dress. It’s SO easy to wear! And yes, there are pockets in the side seams.

Style Arc describe this dress as follows: The slightly cocoon shaped skirt with asymmetrical design lines balances well with the angled waisted knit bodice on this designer dress. The interestingly shaped pattern pieces come together easily for a quick sew. FABRIC SUGGESTION: Bodice – knit jersey, sweater knit. Skirt – knit or stretch woven.

I enjoy the patterns that Style Arc label as “designer” – they have more unusual shapes and silhouettes, and many of them work nicely for me.  This dress was an easy sew, and it’s great to wear.  Choose your fabric combination carefully though – the bodice needs to be able to support the weight of the skirt.