Happy Friday, my friends! Good news: I’ve been sewing. Not-so-good-news: I’ve lost my white background wall where I used to take all my photos due to furniture re-arranging, and the outdoor light is perhaps not so complexion-enhancing. K says I always look tired and these photos support her claims. Ah well, let’s move on.

Through the grapevine, I’d heard that Style Arc patterns are quite flattering, so I browsed through their impressively large collection. The Daphne Duo Tunic seemed like a breeze and right up my alley stylistically, so in it went into my online cart. I used a pretty pale blue linen and stitched up the size 12 as per printed measurements.  The pleats added a twist to an otherwise plain over-sized tee silhouette.

You know what? I don’t love it. The pleats detail is sort of interesting, but my v-neck is decidedly a u-neck that refuses to lay flat and I think the linen is a little too weighty for this pattern. Something a little more drapey and floaty would have been more suitable. I also think (and I seem to write this over and over), I could have gone down a size and lengthened the whole thing.

Though I might not be smitten with it, it’s not bad. Maybe I’ll warm up to it. Time will tell.

I also sewed two versions of the Sunny Knit Top, also in a size 12. K said, “You look like you’re wearing Daddy’s t-shirt.” Oh, it’s so comfy! But I see her point. This tissue weight navy knit is super soft and I wish I could recall where I got it from because I’d like to get my hands on some more.

Version #2 is made out of a crinkly, quasi-sheer stretch black material that my mom gave me eons ago, which I posted on Instagram here. I felt like there was a sufficient number of photos of me in loose, shapeless tops for this post so I didn’t take the two extra minutes to snap pix of me in the black version.

The Sunny Knit Top is lightning fast to sew up and though I’m not sure I’d call it flattering, it sure is an easy top to wear.

In other non-Style Arc news, I’m working on an Archer shirt right now and I’m having a grand time. Lovely, lovely fall…how I’ve missed  this energizing season!

Well, have a wonderful weekend friends!

 

 

Well, well, well, what do we have here? Clearly, a pile of knits that have seen better days.

A few weeks (months?) ago, I hinted at having sewn a bunch of Linden sweatshirts and not only did I sew six of them, I have worn them to death.

From a distance, they don’t look too bad. I even got a little bit creative with a striped back for the black version:

Alas, these have been so well-loved (that Jen of Grainline Studio knows how to draft a good pattern) three out of the six are not really fit for public wear anymore and have been relegated to pajama tops. Case in point:

This brownish-khaki-ish double-knit is incredibly soft and comfortable but the pilling! The snagging! I truly look tragic when I wear it. The navy-and-white stripe and black with striped back have suffered similar declines in presentability. The Ocean Blue French terry I got from Raspberry Creek Fabrics is wonderful in quality, however, and it’s been holding up decently, as has the light grey sweatshirt fabric from…I don’t know. Maybe Pacific Fabrics? The double-knit was from Drygoods, I’m pretty sure. The short-sleeved navy version is also a mystery fabric that feels like rayon jersey.

I wanted to make more Lindens to replace the pilled, unsalvageable ones, but chose to expand my horizons and tried my hand at the Toaster sweater. Here’s the conversation that followed when I triumphantly donned my new Toaster:

M: Did you make that?

Me: Yes! It was so fast to sew!

M:….

Me: Do you not like it?

M: Um.

Me: I know. I’m calling it my Steve Jobs top. It’s not my best look.

My fabric choice was problematic, to begin with. This thick rayon jersey has no drape and very little stretch, so I feel stiff and awkward in it. I also added quite a bit to the bottom band since it’s what I always do to account for my loooong torso. I think that and the extra amount I added to the turtleneck are throwing the proportions off.

The back’s not too bad. My Ginger jeans are still surviving though I accidentally ripped the right knee on a jutting apparatus in my basement (it’s torn all my jeans and caused other shenanigans). I figure the ripped knee gives me some street cred.

Hmmmm. It’s not that it looks horrible or anything. I think it’s more about how I feel in it. I feel…oddly robotic. Inflexible. Rigid. Ah well. Live and learn. Maybe I’ll try this pattern again with a different knit. That might be the ticket.

With spring around the corner, a resurgence of sewing motivation is brewing inside of me. I might even venture to sew something that’s not knit! What are you making lately?