... Or a black pencil skirt. Huzzah!
When Andrea from Pattern Anthology emailed me to ask if I would like to play with their brand new fourth pattern collection, I fist pumped the air ... and then replied yes - because emails can't see fist pumps ...
The collection is made up of four stretch patterns for us la-la-ladies and are made for the lass who wants to be both stylish AND comfortable. Yes ladies, a garment can be both. What WHAT?
The reason I didn't know this, is because ... I'VE NEVER SEWN WITH STRETCH BEFORE!!!
Woh, sorry(not sorry) about the shouting there, but these patterns weren't just a revelation for me, they were a game changer! You mean I don't have to stay standing upright in my tight dress all day because I've eaten too much and bending will make me vomit out of my eyes? I can wear clothes that will stretch with me?
EMOTIONAL!
I made up two versions of the Parisian and I freaking LOVE this pattern. Not only is the pattern super comfortable but it's so fast to make up!!! I mean you don't have to line stretch. You don't even have to ... now this is a big one ... finish the edges! GASP! I spent a good two minutes head butting the wall mindlessly as punishment for not having tried stretch sooner (bad dobby!)
The instructions are wonderful and put me the beginner stretch-seamstress right at ease with heaps of helpful tips for sewing with stretch fabric.
The pattern features a peter-pan collar and gorgeous puff sleeves that are the perfect amount of puff.
Fabric
The lovely people at Girl Charlee fabrics supplied some fabric for this project, and people I went a little overboard. Given I'm partial to fabric stashing, and the fact that I did not yet have a stretch stash, I may or may not have bought over seven different types of fabric. I mean the selection was cray-cray!
The second top is also from Girl Charlee fabrics and is made of a lucious navy blue solid ponte de roma and it could be one of the most comfortable fabrics I've ever worn.
I contrasted it with a floral knit that I also got from Girl Charlee and I love the sweet touch it gives the top.
Styling
So the general theme of these tops is that they can easily be thrown on with a pair of jeans. Except I'm more of a pencil skirt sort of gal. Here I am wearing it with a skirt I made a million years ago (it wasn't as tight then!) The good news is that these tops go perfectly with a fancy skirt both tucked in or out!
Alterations
Um ... zip, zilch, nada! Praise the Lord!
I made the top in a small size as I likes my stuff nice and fitted. The good thing about stretch is it's very forgiving on sizing. I probably could have done an FBA, but I think it still looks good. P.s. the instructions come with FBA instructions so you don't have to try and work it out yourself. Winning.
Conclusion
Fast and easy to make, these tops are effortless, gorgeous and comfortable; a definite keeper. And it has smoothly introduced me to the world of knit fabrics, a world I used to run screaming away from. Consider me converted.These patterns will be touring the blogs over March, so check out these other fabulous bloggers to see their awesome versions!
March 11th: Stef - the Girl Inspired
March 12th: Delia - Delia Creates
March 13th: Merrick - Merrick's Art
March 14th: Julia - Julia Bobbin
March 17th: Liz - Cotton and Curls
March 18th: Katy - No Big Dill
March 19th: Caroline - Sew Caroline
March 20th: Suzannah - Adventures in Dressmaking
March 21st: Jessica - Craftiness is Not Optional
March 22nd: Dixie - DixieDIY
How's everyone coming along with their Mad Men outfits? Only a few weeks left! I'm loving seeing the pics coming into my inbox. For more details on the sew-a-long click here!
So who else in a knit-fabric convert? Let's be friends!
What a little cutie you are ;) nice work mate, gotta jump on the knit bandwagon
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to sew with knits!!! I have never sewn with knits either :( fear of the unknown i guess. Everyone has told me it's easy and stuff but I haven't had the balls to explore the stretch!
ReplyDeleteOh you are too cute!! Love these so much!
ReplyDeleteLove a good knit project and by gee and golly gosh - these are darn good knit projects!
ReplyDeleteLOVE these so much! I felt the same way when I crossed over the knits and when my kids discovered that I can make them things using knit they refuse to let me use any other fabric. You look stunning in these tops and they look great with the skirt!
ReplyDeleteDang girl, how can you look so cute and so sassy at the same time? I love it sewn in the skulls and roses pattern.
ReplyDeleteCompleted Mad Men outfit photos in your inbox? Huh! I really must get the hang of doing things in a timely fashion, and not leaving everything 'til the last minute, LOL. In my defense, I've got myself stuck on sewing a particular garment and I can't find the fabric for it!!!
These are so cute! I personally don't really like sewing with knits but I have to say I'm very tempted by this pattern.
ReplyDeleteVery cute and inspiring! I have only tried knits once and the project did not go to well! I should face my knit-sewing fears, looking at your fabulous tops it seems to be well worth it.
ReplyDeleteI only just cut out my shift dress for the mad men challenge...I'm sort of behind. But shifts are nice and quick to sew up, so I'm sure I'll get it done! :)
Very cute.
ReplyDeleteSSB. https://facebook.com/sassysewingbees
so nice ...so beauty..
ReplyDeleteyour tops are really wonderful I love knit but have trouble finding nice fabric locally, I'm a little freighted about buying online sense you never quite now what you are going to end up with and I then have to perches from abroad, Sweden isn't the best when it comes to fashion fabric. But I will get there soon the lac of it her is driving me mad. When I firs saw the city girl pattern a few days ago, love it.
ReplyDeleteAbout the Mad Men sewalong, I've made a bow-tied blouse and now only need a skirt to go with it.
These are lovely. I love sewing with knits and don't find th scary at all but the selection of good quality (especially patterned) is so minimal here. Where do shops get all their great printed knits from I wonder? I blogged about plans for the mad men challenge and my fabric arrived yesterday. So excited to get started!
ReplyDeleteI love the skull and roses! It's very Wheels & Doll-esque. Nice work Julia :)
ReplyDeleteI love this outfits and the tops you made! I also was in team woven, but knits are very nice when you need a break (or eat a big lunch :-) )
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! I loooove them! I can't even choose a favorite. I am so gonna make that top when I have a minute.
ReplyDeleteLove these tops, they're gorgeous! And that skull/flower print is amazing!
ReplyDeleteI so want to try knits but am scared... Must try these patterns out. Especially if they are as good and easy as you say.... Excited.
ReplyDeleteFabric getting cut this weekend for the MMIII.
Yeehay.
Oh my, I LOOOOOVE the Parisian!
ReplyDeleteNicely done! Thanks for sewing along with us.
ReplyDeleteI live in the south of the southen -most country in the world (aka the bottom of New Zealand) and we have the worst selection of any craft supplies ever. And that goes double when it comes to either yarn or fabric. I've looked at ordering online before but shipping is ridiculous here and I'm so worried I'll choose the wrong type. I never know which knit makes the best tops or dresses. I have a great ponti dress but I'd love to sew something like these tops.
ReplyDeleteVery sassy! Your posts always inspire me to get sewing!
ReplyDeleteDamn girl! These look amazing!!! What a cute pattern!
ReplyDeleteOh my god you look amazing and bonus time this post made me laugh out like five times or more. If you LURVE the stretch now you really should try coco by Tilly and the buttons. It's crazy easy and I think you'd look super cute in it
ReplyDeleteoh my!. I'm going now to Girl Charlee websites. I want the same tee with roses and skulls. Spectacular!
ReplyDeleteThese are so cute! I love the skirt, thank you so much for sewing these up! I love your style!
ReplyDeleteThis is ridiculously cute! Knits are still a bit daunting- unless it is ponti!
ReplyDeleteVery cool! Stretch and knits are indeed the bomb. Loving your new creations :)
ReplyDeleteYou are darling! I can't wait to style mine with my pencil skirts too.
ReplyDeleteI LURVE knits - am a complete convert since trying them last year. Aaaannnndddd I bought this pattern collection the other day so big thank yous for the inspiration of these gorgeous tops! Am jumping off the walls with excitement on how my mad men dress has turned out - you can expect an email soon!!
ReplyDeleteWow Julia, you totally rock these tops! I haven't been game enough yet to sew with knits but I might have to give it a go now. Also, it's hard to find decent knit fabric where I live, I'll definitely be checking out Girl Charlee. LOVE the skull and roses fabric, great choice!
ReplyDeleteJulia that's such a cute shirt!!! I love finding new pattern companies so I'll definitely be hopping over to see more :)
ReplyDeleteUmm.. can this be the funniest post ever? I'm laughing in my chair right now. Still...
ReplyDeleteHOW IS IT POSSIBLE YOU HAVE NEVER SEWN STRETCH!? I guess it's because your fit skillz are off the hook and you don't need it...still, these tops are cute. Stretch fabric forever!
ReplyDeleteVomit out of your eyes??? That made me spit out my drink!! You are too funny. Welcome to the wonderful world of speedy stretch sewing :)
ReplyDeleteI've tried (and failed) sewing with stretch before, are you using an overlocker?
ReplyDeleteYou are hilarious, woman! I love how much your personality translates through your writing without being overly kitchy or cliche. So many times we write as we speak and it doesn't translate well, you know what I mean? Well, maybe not you, but I've definitely had many a joke fall flat on it's sweet little nose.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the world of knits girl! They are amazing and wonderful things. Though, I still do lean on my cottons. I absolutely adore your versions of the top with peter pan collar! How fun to use a print for the collar. And the skulls and roses are awesome-sauce! I'll have to give girl chalee a try. I'm usually very particular about my knits and have to feel the hand before I buy because so many fabrics make me recoil in shock and horror. They're often too thin or if I think I'm touching a natural fabric but it's poly, I can immediately tell by touch that it's not natural. Isn't that fascinating how much we can tell by sense of touch. Oh I digress. I'm on the hunt for decent cotton-lycra for panties and a good mid-weight hemp-cotton knit which is such a durable and comfortable fabric!
Oh! I'm writing about my progress on my Mad Men dress. This is a fun challenge. I've discovered more inspiration than I first thought. Thank you so much for hosting! http://www.calmundertension.com/blog.html
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteLove the peter pan collar top with skulls - as you say - who would dare? It looks great. I'll check out Charlee Girl fabrics too, to add to my stash
Linda
Julia, I honestly laughed out loud when I when I read your comment about being "emotional" with the picture from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. That movie is hilarious, and we refer to that scene all the time in my family... "Can you feel this? What about this!!"
ReplyDeleteDid you use an overlocker or just...like...sew it? I'm scared of stretch, but it would be nice for anything pencil or wiggle
ReplyDelete