Day: 31 May 2017

adult's clothing, sewing

Itch to Stitch Newport top

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.

Itch to Stitch Newport top

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)

Screen Shot 2017-05-31 at 6.29.50 pm

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.

Itch to Stitch Newport top

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!

Itch to Stitch Newport top

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.

Itch to Stitch Newport top

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.

Itch to Stitch Newport top

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?

Itch to Stitch Newport top

(with Style Arc Misty jeans, as per usual)

adult's clothing, crochet, sewing

More repeats – Vogue 9057 and Style Arc Fay – and something new

As much as I like to try out new patterns, I really do enjoy sewing reliable favourites.  The Vogue 9057 top and Style Arc Fay skirt are two terrific examples.

Vogue 9057 top with Style Arc Fay skirt in acrylic knit from Darn Cheap Fabrics

Vogue 9057 is a Marcy Tilton pattern, and I have sewn it many, many times.  I tend to sew view D, altering the sleeve length as I fancy.  I have shortened this pattern a little through the body at the shorten/lengthen here lines.

v9057

Vogue 9057 top with Style Arc Fay skirt in acrylic knit from Darn Cheap Fabrics

This top is a very simple sew – it’s really just a t-shirt, albeit one with flare and a shaped hemline. I often secure the hem with a zig-zag stitch rather than a twin needle.

Vogue 9057 top with Style Arc Fay skirt in acrylic knit from Darn Cheap Fabrics

The Style Arc Fay skirt is super simple. It’s a one-piece, self-lined skirt designed for knit fabrics, and has an elasticised waist. It’s fast to sew, no hemming needed, and very comfortable to wear. Speaking of fabric, this is an acrylic blend knit from Darn Cheap Fabrics. I actually bought and sewed this outfit last year, but I suspect that the fabric is still available.

fay-skirt

The something new is this crocheted shawl. What an amazing colour!

Maleny shawl in Wollmeise

The yarn is Wollmeise (hand-dyed in Germany), and it’s been in my stash for a while. The pattern is Maleney, by Deanne Ramsay of Addydae Designs. I always enjoy her scarf and shawl patterns! This one took me a little while to get into, with a bit of reverse crocheting needed a few times at first, but once I was into the rhythm it was smooth sailing and highly enjoyable.

Maleny shawl in Wollmeise

I really do enjoy wearing shawls and scarves in winter – they’re the perfect combination of warmth and styling! I do have another on the the hook at the moment.

Maleny shawl in Wollmeise

(The brown scarf in the top photos is the Settler Shawl by Libby Johnson, knitted by my Mum in Wollmeise).