Arizona Tops!

Jaime and I couldn't resist whipping up some garments from April Rhodes' debut Arizona collection!

 

Amber's Scout 64 Mash-up

Pattern: Scout Tee by Grainline Studio x Top 64 by Merchant and Mills
Fabric: 1/2 yard Arizona Canyon Walls & 1 yard Chambray Union Light
Size Made: Scout Tee - size 4, Top 64 - size 10
Alterations: I mixed the two patterns together (upper part of Scout with bottom/pockets of Top 64)

I love April's Canyon Wall print mixed with this Robert Kaufman Chambray Union!

I decided to do a garment "mash-up", mixing the classic and simple Scout Tee from Jen of Grainline Studio with the pocket construction I fell in love with from Merchant & Mills' Top 64. Every garment needs pockets!

I traced out my Scout Tee pattern onto Swedish tracing paper to make my alterations. The top half of my tee is the Scout Tee, and the bottom pieces are drafted from the Top 64, just changing the side seams to match the shape of the Scout Tee.

The summery golden geometric and lightweight chambray is perfect for my summer wardrobe, and the pockets are the perfect place to stash interesting stones and feather finds. Using the Canyon Walls print for the pocket panel and the bias neck finish allows me to wear this mustard-y color that I love, but I feel I can only wear in small doses.

Jaime's Voile Bianca 

Pattern: Bianca by Made by Rae
Fabric: 1 3/4 yd Triangle Tokens Voile
Size Made: small
Alterations: none

Bianca is a new pattern from Made by Rae of Washi Dress fame. I love Rae's simple yet interesting women's patterns and wanted to check this new one out immediately.

There is one voile print in April's Arizona collection and it is lovely. The super-soft fabric features a light triangle print with metallic triangles every so often. I love it. Art Gallery is known for their soft hand and their voile take this to another level. Beautiful drape and flow make this fabric the perfect choice for summer garments.

This pattern was quick to sew up. It can be made as a top or dress. I love the cut out neckline and the shirred waist. The shirt has an easy fit that is both flattering and comfortable to wear. This top has a super summery feel to it thanks to the soft aqua color and lightweight feel of the fabric. This will get heavy rotation this season. Bianca is currently available as a digital download here.

We have plenty of these inspiring fabrics in stock so let the summer sewing games begin!

Hemlock Tee-a-thon 2014!

It's a Hemlock Tee-a-thon over here. All day, every day just one Hemlock Tee after the other. What's the big deal, you ask? Oh, let me tell you.

1. Its a free pattern from Grainline Studio. We have been crushing hard on Jen, the mastermind behind Grainline Studio, for a while now. She makes classic and thoughtful patterns that fit great so we want to make them again and again. When she released this free pattern last fall, we were thrilled.

2. Knits. It is so fun and forgiving to sew with knits! This pattern is a "one size fits most" and is meant to be worn with a lot of positive ease for a drapey look. Forget about all your worries about fitting a garment. Knits stretch and are forgiving so you can sew this up with confidence.

3. Simple. With only 3 pattern pieces, this top comes together in the blink of an eye. Amber and I both sew them with sergers and just use a double-needle on our regular machines to finish the sleeve and bottom hem. We've got this pattern down and can make one in just an hour. Summer wardrobe = done.

4. Easy to alter. This pattern is simple and that means you can add your own touch to it without having to change it much. Amber made a cute color-blocked tee (one of Jen's suggestions) and we both made a few without sleeves.

5. Cute. Oh yeah. The best thing about this pattern is it is just so dang cute. We can't resist making it again and again and it's a win every time. We have tons of amazing print and solid knits in right now so you too, can make a million of these things.

If you're scared of sewing with knits or just want some time set aside to make one of these babies, you might consider our class that's going on this summer.

Sara will walk you through making a sleeveless version using a regular sewing machine so you won't feel like you have to go home and buy a serger as soon as you're done.

Thanks Jen!!

Scout Tees for Spring!

I'll admit it, I'm kind of addicted to the Scout Tee pattern from Grainline Studio. The Scout Tee is a loose-fitting tee designed to be made in woven fabrics. Luckily we have no shortage of these here at Fancy Tiger Crafts. The Scout Tee has become my new go-to pattern for cute wovens. It's just so quick to sew up and so comfortable to wear. I can't resist!

Pattern: Scout Tee by Grainline Studio
Fabric: various, 1 7/8 yd
Size Made: 4
Alterations: None - its awesome!

First up is this one, out of my favorite print from the Lizzy House Catnap collection, Cattitude in Raspberry. I love this print and wanted to make something that I knew I would wear a lot - the Scout tee it is! The Scout tee is quick to sew with only three pattern pieces. The set in sleeves go quickly and the neck is finished with bias tape.

Another favorite of mine is Nani Iro's beautiful double gauze fabrics. This particular one was a remnant that I couldn't bear to see go, so I made a Scout tee. I arranged the pattern pieces on this border print fabric on the cross-grain to get the details on the bottom and sleeves. I love it!

We have recently received a lot of yarn-dyed woven fabrics, great staples for any wardrobe. I used a yarn dyed plaid in a soft purple and charcoal for this Scout Tee. I love wearing this simple top with a knit shawl for even more handmade action!

The Scout Tee pattern is currently available directly from Grainline in her webshop. If you decide to sew one up, we have countless fabrics that would make beautiful new tees. I'm sure there will be a lot more of these Scout Tees in my future...

Jaime's Zinnia Skirt & Scout Tee

Sometimes I get really inspired to sew a million things and last week was one of those times. I whipped out 3 tops and a skirt all in a few days - practically an entire new wardrobe! I tried out two new patterns and I love them both! Here is my report on Grainline Studio Scout Tee and Colette Zinnia Skirt.

The Scout Tee by Grainline Studio has been popular in the sewing world for a while, so its a little embarrassing that this is my first time making one. Jen Beeman is the woman behind these amazing sewing patterns out of Chicago. I love them because the designs are simple and classic, but look and fit great - my favorite! The Scout Tee is a basic tee pattern that uses woven fabrics - perfect because there is no shortage of these here at Fancy Tiger Crafts. I actually cut out and made two of these at once, I was so excited. The Scout Tee pictured is sewn out of a Nani Iro double gauze fabric. The double gauze fabric is light and airy and worked perfect for this pattern. The pattern was super fast and easy to sew up. The neck and sleeves are finished with bias strips hidden to the inside. Scout Tee is currently only available as a pdf download directly from Grainline Studio, but finger's crossed for printed versions we can carry here at the shop next year. You are going to see a lot of these from me in the future...

The Zinnia skirt by Colette is a new full-skirt pattern that can be made in several different options - longer or shorter, pleated or gathered, front pockets or side pockets. I choose to make the shorter, pleated skirt. I used one of my favorite fabrics, the Brussels-Washer from Robert Kaufman. This fabric is an affordable, 55" wide yarn-dyed linen/rayon blend. The color is wintery pale blue. The Brussels-Washer fabric is fantastic because it drapes well and the rayon means it doesn't get as wrinkled as a 100% linen.

The Zinnia  Skirt was fairly simple to sew up as Colette patterns go - the waistband is interfaced and the skirt is finished with a zipper closure at the back. Colette always included tips for professional touches in her patterns - on this skirt, the pleats are finished with top-stitching which makes them look great. I really like the length of this skirt - especially great to pair with tights and boots in the upcoming cold months.

I wasn't expecting to wear these two together, but when I finished my skirt and needed a top to pair with it, my new Scout Tee was perfect. A tucked in top shows off the waistband and pleats of the Zinnia Skirt and the Scout Tee fit the bill perfectly.