Spring Wardrobe Ikat Print

I am ready for Spring!  It's been a COLD January here in Florida this year and I'm ready for Winter to be over with!  

This multi-colored Ikat print knit is going to be the perfect Spring skirt with tops in the solid purple, pink and blue.  I've already made the purple and pink up to match previous skirts with the Kwik Sew 3658 pattern.  

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Ikat Print ITY Knit Skirt

Kwik Sew 3658 Knit Top

Kwik Sew 3658 Knit Top

KS3658 Ice Blue top with Ikat Print ITY Knit Skirt

I like when the fabric selvage has a color guide.  I try to save the guide in a spiral book so that I can reference back to it in the future.  I like how they grade the colors and it's been very useful in combining wardrobe staples.

Fabric Selvage Guide

Until next time...............

Bonnie

Gray Skirt Green & Hot Pink KS3658 TopFabric Wardrobe

I've had this gray ITY knit fabric for a few years with so many dreams of making a dress or skirt.  I'm just going to jump in and make a skirt with it.

Here's my wardrobe choices with this fabric.  Grey skirt with a green and a hot pink top.

Fabric Inspiration

Nothing exciting about the TNT knit skirt.  My usual 27" length with 1/2" hem.  3/4" elastic in same fabric casing.  All seams serged.  The skirt takes less than an hour to sew up.

Skirt

 I am not sure if I'm a green girl, but I like it with this gray print skirt.  So many colors would go with the skirt.

Pea Green KS3658 Top

$7.20 Top

I'm really liking the bright pink version.  I think that this will be a go to top in my wardrobe.

Pink KS3658 Top

Pink KS3658 Top

$7.20 Top

I have one more group of fabric for my Spring wardrobe sew-up.  I need to work on the Burda jacket I've been working on since August but this is more fun!

Until next time................

Bonnie

Kwik Sew 3658 Black ITY Knit Top

Another Kwik Sew 3658 top.  I really love this pattern.  Not only for the ease in sewing it up but that it's a classy style to a plain top.  I didn't plan on a black version but you never have enough black tops.  Since cleaning out my closet earlier this month I only had two other black tops.  This will be  wardrobe staple.

Kwik Sew 3658 Black ITY Knit

$7.20 Top

Kwik Sew 3658 Gray Animal ITY Knit Dress

The Kwik Sew 3658 dress was bothering me being too short.  I only had 2 yards of fabric and the dress came just above my knees when unhemmed so I added a 3" band at the bottom hem.

Kwik Sew 3658 Gray Animal Print Dress

Kwik Sew 3658 Gray Animal Print Dress

An easy fix to a great pattern.  I hope to make a few more top from this pattern.

Until next time.................

Bonnie

Gala Date Night & Upcoming Formal

Dear Hubby & I attended our local Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala this past week.  I think we dressed appropriately but I should know that the work "Gala" means semi-formal to formal.

I wore my Bob Mackie jacket and top with my TNT ponte knit slim skirt, black tights and heels.  I don't think we were over-dressed nor were we under-dressed.

I ordered Dear Hubby this navy sport coat from JCPenney back in October when he was promoted thinking a good jacket would be needed.  He's worn it three times already!  JCPenney had another sale last week on suits so ordered him a black 3-piece suit.

While at dinner Dear Hubby's Chief informed us that the second week in April we are attending a formal dinner at the State College and then in May we have Derby Day.  Oh MY GOODNESS!  I don't have a thing to wear!

Formal wear scares me the most.  I only have one must have, I have to wear my regular bra so no strapless, one strap or thin straps.  Sleeves are negotiable but would be nice.  I would like a skirt with a little fullness and length being floor length is good too.  I prefer a more modest look but I don't want to look too old.

What about color?  Black or a color?  OMG!  I'm glad I have until April.............OMG! I only have until April!

AND..................for Derby Day I have to wear a HAT!  I've never worn a HAT!  A hat will smash my hair!  I need a paper bag!

Any suggestions or advise I really could use it!

Until next time..................

Bonnie

Purple Wardrobe (2)

This purple multi floral print fabric wasn't in my initial fabric group but it called to me.....very loudly to make it into a flowy skirt!

I used my TNT skirt pattern with 2" elastic waistband, hemmed with 1/2" interfacing strips and presto it was finished.

I love it when fabric and pattern mix together perfectly!

Purple Multi Floral TNT Skirt

The Kwik Sew 3658 is making another appearance here as a top to go with this floral skirt. 

Kwik Sew 3658 Violet ITY Knit

Kwik Sew 3658

But it also goes with the ikat print fabric that will be an upcoming skirt.

ITY Knit Wardrobe

Wardrobe, wardrobe, it's what's happening!

Until next time....................

Bonnie

Purple Wardrobe (1)

Looking through my closet I realized that I don't have any purple items.  I really like purple now with my hair coloring.

From my stash of beautiful fabrics, I have this purple solid ITY knit that will make a perfect 1/2 circle skirt.  The purple print sweater knit and a swirl print ITY knit will make nice tops.  The last two fabric I'm still undecided what to make.

Purple Wardrobe fabric inspiration

I love this knit skirt.  It's a TNT self drafted pattern with a 2" elastic waistband.  The pattern is an easy sew, just two seams and the waistband.

Grape ITY Knit Skirt

I like that this skirt only takes 1-1/2 yards of fabric.  It's a great stash-buster.

$5.40 skirt

I used my cowl/drape neck TNT pattern with the swirl print ITY knit.  Two shoulder seams, two side seams and hem and it's done.  I am liking this top with the skirt.  I think that it will go with many other skirts in my wardrobe.

Abstract Print Drape Neck ITY Knit Top

Abstract Print Drape Neck ITY Knit Top with purple skirt

$3.60 top

I used the Butterick 6247 with the purple print sweater knit fabric and I think it was a great match.

Butterick 6247 sweater knit

I am extremely pleased with the purple wardrobe so far.  I hope to stay motivated and keep my sewing mojo going.

Until next time.................

Bonnie

Kwik Sew 3658 Knit Top

I have to admit I don't like to try new patterns.  I don't know why because 99% of the time I end up loving the pattern.  The Kwik Sew 3658 is a GREAT pattern!

Kwik Sew 3658 Knit Top & Dress

Only 3 pattern pieces!  How easy!  I sewed up a quick muslin after making my usual fitting changes.

Kwik Sew 3658 Knit Top

Started with a Large at the shoulders grading to a an XL at the bust and below.  I added my usual to the hip area.  I used my knit armhole and sleeve templates.  Easy enough.

I really am liking this pattern on me.

Classy & simple with enough interest and ease to sew up to make this a TNT pattern!

No alterations needed for the gray animal print version.  I did raise the neck v to the xs dot on the pattern.  I lengthened the pattern as much as I had fabric for.  The dress un-hemmed comes to the top of my knees.  That's pretty short for me so I may just make it into a top.

Gray Animal Print Kwik Sew 3658

I really like that the front piece is doubled so that the front is self lined.  I'm thinking this is a great answer for me not liking solid tops.  A little doubling of fabric eliminates my self conscious feeling of seeing my bra cup line.

I see MANY more of these tops in my future so be warned!

Until next time..................

Bonnie

Kwik Sew 3915 v2

Kwik Sew 3915 Version #2 is a more casual version to wear as a t-shirt.  I am not a fan of solid knit shirts because I fear seeing my bra seams.  I only wear a certain type of bra and they don't make a t-shirt style so I fear you can see the cup seams.

I also didn't add the button loops and buttons to this version.

Ivory Ponte Knit Kwik Sew 3915

I need to press the dart tip a little.

Bust Dart

I really liked sewing this fabric.  I bought it a few months back for making a t-shirt.  The fabric is thicker than the jersey knit I usually buy.  It has a nice weight and thickness to it.

$7.50 Top

For Christmas Dear Hubby bought me a saddle stool.  Best stool ever!  It's on wheels too!  I don't like a chair with arms and sometimes the back gets in the way too.  Such a wonderful addition to my sewing room.

Saddle Stool

I've mentioned to Girl M that for my birthday I would love to have a new dress form.  My current one is over 14 years old.  She's in great shape but she's too big in the shoulders, bust and waist now.  I now need a Large instead of a Plus Size.  WOW!  But I've also seen reviews for Bootstrap Fashions' dress form that you send them your measurements, you get a pattern, sew up & stuff your own dress form.  Both are great options and I can't decide which one to tell them I want.

Happy Sewing!

Until next time.......................

Bonnie

Kwik Sew 3915 Knit Top Muslin & v1

The Kwik Sew 3915 knit top caught my eye a few years ago.  I really liked the neckline style.  I had such high hopes for this pattern since there were so many great reviews on Pattern Review. 

Kwik Sew 3915

But..................

After measuring myself and comparing my measurements to the pattern, I cut a XL at the shoulders and bust adding my usual increase at the bust and hip area.

Pattern alterations prior to muslin:

• I used my knit armhole template and sleeve pattern. 
• Added a 2" bust dart.

Kwik Sew 3915 Muslin

 The shoulders were too wide, the sleeve seam started about 2" down my arm. 

Shoulder view

The bust dart helped with shaping but was above my apex point.

Bust Dart

When sewing up my muslin I didn't like that the fabric loops for the buttons make the collar seam so thick on the front.  Sewing through so many layers of fabric made my machine very unhappy.  The neckband seemed loose and floppy.  Where the crossover meets along the front the collar pulls the shirt fabric, making a diagonal pull line.

Button loops

After sewing up my muslin I still needed further fitting adjustments.

• Shoulders too wide.  Removed 1" with a dart at the shoulder, tapering to nothing at bust and back area.
• Removed an additional 1/2" at side seams!
• Lowered bust dart 2".
• I had to re-draft my TNT sleeve pattern.  It was huge on me!  I removed 1/2" along the seam line and another 1/4" below the elbow.
  
• Cut a Large for the neckband.
• Didn't use the back/shoulder interfacing piece.
• Didn't add the button loops.

Pattern alterations

I received many compliments when I wore Version #1.  I really love how modest the neck line is.  Classy but not revealing.

Kwik Sew 3915 Black floral ITY knit top

Shoulder fixed

Bust dart

$7.20 Top

I really like how this floral print top goes with many of the TNT knit skirts I have in my closet.  I think that this top will be a wardrobe staple.

Kwik Sew 3915 Black floral ITY knit top with tan skirt

with Gray skirt

With white skirt

With brown half circle skirt

Necklace borrowed from Girl M.

I am thinking I have one more fitting alteration to do.  And it just came to me last night after I cut out Version #2.  I need to make a round back adjustment.  My cowl/drape neck tops slip to the back while wearing.  I always thought it was from the cowl/drape in the front but now I think it's because I need a little more length at my upper back.  

My hair looks almost completely white!

Until next time.......................

Bonnie