Inspiration...Linen Top

 Summer time is meant for linen.  I believe it is also meant for sleeveless tops on those really hot days of summer and this top definitely qualifies.

This is the Sophia Linen Top from Boden.  Price tag: $110.00.  Details:  100% linen, straight not too tight, machine washable, designed to fall between the waist and the hip, keyhole and button fastening at back neckline.

I love this top.  I do not have any striped fabric stashed. I am sure if you look that a similar look can be found.  Here is the pattern:

This is the Phoebe Tank from fabrics-store.com.  This pattern would definitely need to be fitted but once it is done you can make many woven tank tops.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Sewing!

Itch to Stitch Vikos Dress...

 It time to get the Itch to Stitch Vikos Dress going for summer.  I purchased the denim fabric last fall.  I finished a muslin toward then end of March.  I suppose technically this version will be a muslin too but I plan on wearing it unless it turns out terrible.  According to my notes, the sizing will be from a 12 to 16 to 18 with a slight shoulder angle change.

The photographer is away.  So, for now, there will just be a hanger picture.  I am pleased with the fit.  Changing the shoulder angle did fit some of the back wrinkles.  Hopefully, this dress will be in regular rotation this summer.

I am an Itch to Stitch affiliate.  Some links in the post are affiliate links.  Should you click the link and make a purchase I will receive a small commission.  Thank you!  Remember with Itch to Stitch, there is a volume discount.

Happy Stitching!

New Fabrics Coming....

 Mood Fabrics was having a sale and I indulged a little bit.  Here is the fabric that I got:

This is a deadstock fabric. It is dark blue, country blue, and white floral print.  I purchased two yards with the thought of making a long sleeved t-shirt like Itch to Stitch Kashi Tee & Dress pdf pattern.  Care: machine wash warm or cold, tumble dry low.

This is a deadstock.  It is a stretch cotton 2x2 rib in country blue.  Care - machine wash warm or cold, tumble dry.  I purchased 2 1/2 yards with the intent of making the Itch to Stitch Brisas Pullover pdf pattern and just realized that I did not purchase enough fabric.  I guess I will try to figure out how much additional fabric that I need as this is a heavier fabric and would be nice as a pull over.  The fabric width is much smaller than I thought.  Guess that is what a get for not remembering to look.

I am an Itch to Stitch affiliate.  Any purchases made through the links on this page will result in a small commission at no cost to you.  Thank you!

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Gingham Dress

 This is a lovely, linen dress.  Perfect for the warm days.

This is a the Arabella Linen Blend Dress from Boden.  Price tag: $260.00.  Details:  55% linen & 45% cotton blend, machine washable, side pockets, fit & flare, detachable belt, falls to the ankle.

This dress makes me want to purchase some nice navy/white gingham.  Here is the pattern that I think will work;

This is McCall's 6696.  The pattern has lots of options.  The changes I would make is shorten the sleeves, remove the collar, put the neckband on the bias, and lengthen the skirt.  You need to make a belt.  Obviously, if you have a shirt dress pattern already fitted, use it.  Some the money for the fabric and notions.

The fabric makes this version of the inspiration photo  However, you should really head over to Boden and look at all the variations of this dress.  I also like the embroidered one.

As far as actual fabric goes, both Mood and Yardblox has some nice ginghams.  Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful. 

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Linen Skirt

 When the weather is hot, all I want to wear is skirts and dresses.  This skirt is pretty high on the list of things that need to made:

This is the Layla Linen Skirt from Boden.  Price tag: $160.00.  Details:  80% linen - 20% recycled linen,  machine washable, relaxed silhoutte not too loose, sits at natual waist, functional pockets, falls mid-calf, and elastic waist with drawcord fastening.

Love this skirt.  Here is my choice of patterns:

This is the Love Notions Allegro pant/skirt pattern.  The long version is pretty perfect to use for this type of skirt.  Yes, I know the slits are different than the inspiration photo but that is okay.  It would be easy enough to change the center front fold to a seam (do not forget to add the seam allowance).  

Linen fabric is pretty easy to find.  Fabrics-store.com is my favorite linen place. Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Another Pattern...

 So, I caved yet again on another pattern.  Yes, it was the  Itch to Stitch Brisas Pullover pdf pattern.  Here is the line drawing:

This is a top that I had been thrinking about making.  I was going to purchase new fabric but after seeing the shipping costs I decided to check the stash first.  I think that I found a couple of fabrics that will work well.  Just need to double check the stretch.  Then, find zippers and matching thread.  Hopefully, the thread will not be much of a challenge.  

I have been trying harder to use these patterns that I have purchasing rather than just collecting them.  I am hoping to perhaps sew this over the summer preparing for cool fall days.

This pattern is still on sale through today (April 21,2026).  All discounts still apply so it is a good time to pick up any other pattern you have been eyeing.

I am an Itch to Stitch affiliate.  Any purchases made through the links on this page will result in a small commission at no cost to you.  Thank you!

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Square Neck Dress

 This is a pretty little dress:

This is the Square Neck Occassion Dress from Boden.  Price tag: $270.00.  Details:  fit & flare skirt, falls to low calf, machine washable.

This is a great use for the border prints.  Here is a pattern:

This is Hazel Dress pdf pattern from Seamwork.  It might need to be lengthened to match the inspiration photo.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...T-Shirt Dress

 This inspiration is an every day item.  A basic.

This is the Scuba Mini T-Shirt Dress by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $698.00.  Details: Approximately 36 1/2 inches from shoulder to hem, crewneck, elbow sleeves, on-seam pockets, hem falls above the knee, shift silhouette, invisible back zipper, nylon/polyamide/elastane, hand wash. Model is 5'10".

I love the idea of this dress. A t-shirt dress is perfect for every day. However, the description of this dress seems confusing to me.  It does not seem mini to me and I am okay with that because I do prefer knee length.  The fabric is described as super stretchy with great recovery but it has a back zipper. Personally, I would not go to the trouble of putting a zipper in a t-shirt dress.

As for the pattern, I would say that any loose fitting t-shirt pattern would work. If I make time to re-create this dress using a t-shirt pattern it would probably be this one:

This is the Barrington Boxy Tee by Love Notions.  You get a lot of options with it.  Once it is fitted, all you need to do is add length.  Of course, any pattern that you already own and is fitted is perfect. 

As for the fabric, I am not familar with this particular fabric type.  I do not know if it would actually be cool enough in hot weather.  Do you know?  I would probably use a nice cotton knit but I am certain that I do not have that in the stash. 

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

New Itch to Stitch Pullover PDF Pattern...

 Yes, Itch to Stitch has another fabulous pullover pattern.  Funny thing is I was just thinking that this type of pullover was needed in my wardrobe.  Here is the line drawing:

This is the Itch to Stitch Brisas Pullover pdf pattern.  This sporty pullover gives you princess seams for shaping, half-zip front with stand-up collar.  It has dropped shoulders with classic cuffs and bands.  Two lengths options are offered.

Features:

• Regular and full bust options
• Half-zip front opening
• Stand-up collar (can be folded down)
• Relaxed fit with dropped shoulders
• Front and back princess seams for shaping
• Short and hip-length options
• Bottom band finish
• Sleeve cuffs
• Designed for medium-weight knit fabric

Be sure to check out the testers' versions.  They are wonderful.

The Brisas Pullover pdf pattern will be 20% off through April 21, 2026.  No codes are needed.  If you have been eyeing other patterns, it is a good time to pick them up as part of the buy more, save more discounts will still apply.

I am an Itch to Stitch affiliate.  Any purchases made through the links on this page will result in a small commission at no cost to you.  Thank you!

Happy Stitching!

Starting Spring/Summer Sewing...

 I feel like I am starting spring/summer sewing late but hopefully, I can get enough items made that I will feel good about my wardrobe this summer.  Here are the intended projects:

1.  Itch to Stitch Vikos Dress - I purchased a 4.4 oz denim thinking it would work for this dress.  However, first wash it looks like a rag.  I am rewashing the yardage with hope that it will look better with the second wash as the iron would not remove the wrinkles.  Ironing did make the wrinkles less obvious but honestly I do not want a dress that needs to be ironed.  Here is the fabric:

2.  Itch to Stitch Quebec Skirt - I purchased a khaki stretch twill with 30% stretch.  I do need to make a top or two to go with the skirt.  Here is the fabric:

3.  Liesl & Co Amera Dress - I purchased a indygo slub stretch denim with 10% stretch.  This pattern will need a muslin before I cut into the fabric.  Here is the fabric:

That seems like a good start with the exception of needing a top to go with the Quebec Skirt. I am sure that there is fabric in the stash that will work.

How is your spring sewing plans going?

I am an Itch to Stitch affiliate.  Some links in the post are affiliate links.  Should you click the link and make a purchase I will receive a small commission.  Thank you!  Remember with Itch to Stitch, there is a volume discount.

Happy Stitching!

Fabric Shopping in Paris...

 Yes, I had the overwhelming experience of fabric shopping in Paris.  It has been a long time since I experienced anything other than JoAnn Fabrics (rip).  Since the demise of JoAnn Fabrics, I live in a fabric desert unless you count Walmart and Hobby Lobby neither of which carry much in the way of thread.  I admit that I have been sewing with the Hobby Lobby brand.  It seems okay. 

Back to the subject at hand, I picked out two fabric stores to visit.  Both stores were a bit overwhelming and I managed to make it to a third one.  The first store, Marche Saint Pierre, had "coupons" (pre-cuts) all around the outside of the building and they were all 50% off.  I did find a beautiful piece of fabric there:

This is a navy & white floral cotton fabric.  I purchased 1 1/2 meters.  I am unsure what I will make from this.  I wanted to look around more but you had to purchase fabric before you could go upstairs.  Waiting to purchase was about 30 minutes.   I found out later that there was 6 more floors.  

The second store that I picked out was Les Coupons de St Pierre.  This store was all "coupons" (pre-cuts).  I looked but did not purchase at this location but here is a shot inside:

This is a small section of the store.  Yes, under the piles are lots of fabric neatly folded.

Then, I went into store called Tissue Reine.  It was beautiful rows of fabric.  One section of the store was just Liberty of London fabrics.  I purchased a second fabric:

 This is a beautiful pink floral.  The picture does not do justice to the fabric.  It is a Liberty of London Tawna Lawn and I purchased 1 1/2 meters.  It was the best price that I have ever seen on this type of fabric.  It is fabulously silky to the touch.  I do not know what I am going to make with it.  Hopefully, it will not just be petted.  

Earlier in March, I had found some sewing related chocolates in Belgium.  Oh, I really wanted to order them but unfortunately no shipping to the US.  Yes you have guessed it, while touring in Brussels, Belguim we found this chocolate shop.  Because we were with a group we could not stop and shop but my husband took me back during free time the next day.  Here is my Easter candy:

The chocolates are praline half eggs, dark chocolate, carmelized white chocolate, and hazelnut praline chocolate.  

Experiencing Easter in another country was interesting.  France and Belgium have a long weekend for Easter.  Unfortunately, that meant that many shops were closed.  

When I returned home, flowers were blooming:

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Sleeveless Shirtdress

This is a really pretty dress and I have never seen a pattern exactly like it.

This is the Polka-Dot Cotton Poplin Sleeveless Midi Shirtdress by Akris Punto.  Price tag: $1570.00.  Details:  polka-dot printed cotton poplin, draped wrap waist detail, pointed collar, concealed button placket, sleeveless, self-tie waist, side seam pockets, a-line silhouette, hem falls below knee, invisible side zip closure, cotton, dry clean. 

I love the idea of this dress. I am not sure that I would want a dress with so many closure.  I can only assume that the side zip is necessary because the waist does not open with the concealed placket.  To me, the fabric and a sleeveless shirt pattern would be enough for the duplication simply because the ties would be too much to figure out.

Here is a pretty close to my description pattern:

This is Kwik Sew 4155.  Of course it is out of print and would need to be located on the second hand market.

This is the Salome Sleeveless Shirtdress pattern from fabrics-store.com.  

Fabric:

Califabrics has a mini polka-dot in rayon.  This would be nice and drapey.Yardblox has a variety of polka-dot fabrics.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Funnel Neck Top

 I am hoping to get a few items made this year and something similar to this top may just be a step up from a regular t-shirt:

This is the Cross Hatch Stretch Jersey Funnel Neck Tank by Eileen Fisher. Price tag: $138.00.  Details:  mid-weight jersey, sleeveless, funnel neck, three-inch side slits, close at shoulders widser at hem, tencel lyocell with lyrca.

Finding a pattern is not that hard.  I actually knew of one the second I saw the tank.  Here it is:

This is the Edie Top pdf pattern by Seamwork.  It is not a perfect version of the inspiration photo but it is very close.  I suspect that it is closer in the hip than the Eileen Fisher tank.  However, that is an easy fix.

This would be very fun in a shade of pink and I think that there is some hiding in my stash. Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful. 

Happy Stitching!

Itch to Stitch Vikos Muslin 2...

 With my last Vikos muslin, I decided that I had started with the wrong size.  So, I reprinted the pattern using the following sizes - 12 from the bust up, 14 at the waist, 18 at the hip, and 18 at armscye/sleeve.  Here is the pattern work:

I almost enough of the same fabric as the first muslin so I went for it.  I just needed a small piece for the front facing.  Here is the result:

I think the fit in the shoulders look a little bit better.  Yes, I have the shoulder pinned.  I will explain further down.  

With the shoulder pinned, the dart placement looks pretty.  There are some weird wrinkles in the front and I am hoping that is because the shoulder has been pinned up without the sleeve area being dropped the same amount.

This picture shows that the left sleeve is still a bit tight.  I guess I will double check my measurements.  Maybe I need a larger armscye/sleeve.  

The dart placement is acceptable.  This shoulder might not be pinned up as much as the other as my husband did it for me.  

So, I decided to shave off 1/2-inch at the shoulder and moved the armscye down 1/2-inch.  Even though the sleeve on the left side looks very tight, it is actually comfortable.  I wore the muslin around the house for a couple of hours doing normal activities.

I think the third "muslin" will be from wearable fabric.  As, I think it fits fairly well and  it actually get boring stitching the same thing over and over.  My plan is one top and one dress for summer.  

Just for comparison, here is a picture of Muslin 1 and Muslin 2 side by side:

Thoughts?

Once I get this fitted, I should be able to knock off a top in about one hour.  This is a really well drafted top and I really like the look of it.  Take a look at the Itch to Stitch Vikos pdf pattern.

I am an Itch to Stitch affiliate.  Some links in the post are affiliate links.  Should you click the link and make a purchase I will receive a small commission.  Thank you!  Remember with Itch to Stitch, there is a volume discount.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Button Front Maxi Skirt

 A classic every day type skirt is a wonderful thing to have in the classic.  It makes short work of getting dressed in the morning when you do not feel like making a lot of choices.  Here is a nice skirt:

This is the Button-Front Maxi Skirt from J Jill.  Price tag: $89.00.  Details:  100% cotton, sits below waist, pull-on waist, a-line silhouette, machine wash gentle tumble dry low, 33" back length.

When you look at this skirt up close in the front, you would never know this was a pull-on waist.  That front band looks real.  I would think the belt would be neccessary to hide the elastic in the back if you doing a tuck.

I am sure you know that I was not able to find an exact pattern for this skirt.  That would just be too easy.  There is this pattern:

This is the Sawyer Skirt pdf pattern from Seamwork patterns.  It does offer the button-front and the a-line silhouette but not the elastic pull-on waist.  It might be easy to increase the back panels to allow the pull-on silhouette.   You could also take an elastic waist a-line skirt pattern and add a placket.  Here is a tutorial for making a fake placket or a real placket.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Fit & Flare Skirt

 I really like that the longer skirt are showing up again.  Here is an example:

This is the Fit & Flare Twill Skirt from Talbots.  Price tag: $129.00.  Details:  100% cotton, length 30-inches, full, midi-length, hidden side zipper closure, removable belt, machine wash & dry.

I admit that they need to hit in the right spot to look good. So, get out  Ithose measuring tapes and start figuring out where they need to hit for you.  The length of this skirt would probably be best just as the calf is curing down to the ankle.

If you have a straight skirt pattern already fitted, you could use it to make this type of skirt.  Here is a tutorial.  If you would rather have a pattern, then try this one:

This is Butterick 7012.  The skirt would do for the inspiration photo.  It might be a little wider.  This pattern gives you a couple of bonus pieces.

This is Simplicity 9267. This pattern gives you the waist band and the pleats. Very cute skirt.  It could be manipulated to remove the front band and put the zipper on the side.  

Itch to Stitch Vikos Muslin....

 I indulged in this pattern a year ago.  Here are the line drawings: 

This is the Itch to Stitch Vikos Top & Dress pdf pattern.  I love the simplicity of this pattern with two lengths and three sleeve variations there is plenty of options.  I chose a size 14 with DD cup.  I made changes to the pattern following the information the Karina at Pins & Needles provides in her fitting woven tops videos.  Here are the pattern changes:

To the front bodice, I reduced the length from the neckline to the bust point by two inches, then increased by 2 5/8" to move the waist line down.

I matched the changes from the front bodice to the back bodice at the side seams and then reduced the waistline changes at center back from 2 5/8 inches to 1 3/8".  

On the sleeve, I added width at the side seams.  

Digging through the stash produced a light weight woven fabric that I loved the color but knew I would never make anything to wear from it.  Cut everything out and stitched up.  Folks, this is a very easy pattern to stitch.  Once the fitting is good, sewing this could probably be no more than 1 to 1 1/2 hours and I am slow when it comes to sewing.

Here is my first muslin version:

I see a wrinkle that I am not familar with.  The one radiating from mid-armscye to the bust.  I will see if pinning the shoulder makes and changes to that.  I am also wondering if it might be too wide from armscye to armscye above the bust.   

I can see that the dart is a little too high.  I think I need to figure out if it is a bra issue or I need new measurements.  It could be both.  The left sleeve looks like it needs more room and I think I need more belly room. 

Yes, the left arm is definitely needing move space.  Although it does not feel like it needs it with the top on.  I need to figure out the diagonals wrinkles in the mid back.  I am hoping that is not an issue with my pattern alteration.

Definitely need more belly space.  I can not tell what is causing the diagonal lines in the back.  The front is most likely the dart misplacement and maybe needing more dart space.  

Conclusion:

1.  This is a well drafted pattern.

2.  I need to print another pattern so I can give myself more space in the waist and hip.  

3.  Figure out if the dart issue is my bra.  I will be able to see that is some of other summer dresses.  Otherwise, it is an easy fix to move the dart.

I am going to be honest.  If this was a fabric that I was willing to wear, I would probably wear this top as it currently is.  Why?  Because, I can not purchase stuff that fits better.  

The next version will be a size larger in the waist & hips.  I am going to go play with pinning the shoulder at the armscye and see if some of the issue is sloper slope. 

Maybe I should get my husband to help me make a sloper slope template and this issue could be corrected before cutting out.  Just a thought.

If you have any suggestions on my fitting, feel free to leave a comment.  

I am an  Itch to Stitch affiliate.  Any purchases made through my links will result in a small commission at no cost to you.  Thank you!

Happy Stitching!