Itch to Stitch Blog Tour; The Emily Culottes and Lisbon Cardigan

Hi! I am thrilled to join the "IT'S time to stitch Itch to Stitch" blog tour, where the theme is an Itch to Stitch pattern that you've been meaning to sew up but hadn't. A huge thank you to Kennis, the lovely brains and beauty behind Itch to Stitch patterns, and several fabric companies for sponsoring this event. Be sure to enter the giveaway and check out the sales at the bottom of this post and read more about this week's festivities!!!



This was an easy theme for me because not only do I curate a fine fabric collection, lovingly called The Stash, but I also have a LOT of sewing patterns that I obviously wanted but haven't gotten to them. I have a Pinterest board titled "patterns I own" but haven't been diligent in updating it. How do you keep track of your fabric and patterns?

Another reason this theme was easy for me is because I have been wanting to sew the Emily Culottes since their release because they have a beautiful name. ;) I was born in the 80s and am coming around to culottes again, especially since I live in the windiest place I've lived in ever. I also picked the Lisbon Cardigan because my youngest daughter's name is Lisbon and I lived in cardigans when I was in school and working. Ansley, my other daughter/blog photographer extraordinaire, thinks she needs a pattern named after her now!!

Let's talk about the Emily Culottes first. They feature a contoured waistband, side invisible zipper, pleated and flat front options, optional welt or patch pockets, and optional waist tabs or ties. They come in sizes 00-20 and have layers for easy printing. I sewed a straight size 10 based on my measurements and my muslin. My muslin actually fit without any alterations and I'm somewhat regretting that I didn't prewash the fabric for the muslin, since it was just a fit check. Lesson learned.



I used a beautiful chambray from tour sponsor, Sly Fox Fabrics. This was my first time ordering from Sly Fox Fabrics. My fabric came quickly and they even included a color catcher sheet! This chambray washed well and presses well and I really like the color. The fabric told me to make a simple version of the Emily culottes though I did debate about the welt pocket option for a while.

I made a few minor changes to the pattern. I topstitched the waistband facing down by stitching in the ditch on the front of the culottes and I opted to use my blind hem foot instead of hand sewing because the fabric is a little thin and I am extremely slow at hand sewing. I also used elastic instead of twill tape in the waist and sewed it outside of the seam allowance before turning the facings to the correct side. Lastly, I found it easier to serge the raw edges before sewing the fronts and backs together, etc.



The Emily Culottes are fantastic for windy weather and hot summers. I think they could also be styled over tights with a heavier fabric. For my next pair I would like to move the invisible zipper from the side to the back and add inseam pockets. If I go back to work in an eye clinic I can see myself sewing a few pairs in dressier work fabrics.

The Emily Culottes are higher waisted on me than a lot of my wardrobe and told me to make the cropped version of the Lisbon cardigan. I only own one cropped cardigan so I'm still experimenting with the style but I think it definitely works with these culottes and I expect it will pair well with high waisted jeans and pencil skirts and most of my dresses.



I sewed a size 10 in the Lisbon cardigan also, based on my measurements. This is the cropped, 3/4 sleeved version with snaps. I used some french terry I had in The Stash from another tour sponsor, Raspberry Creek Fabrics, leftover from an unblogged Ladies Legends Dress.



The Lisbon Cardigan comes in sizes 00-20 and has the option to print in layers (print only the size(s) you need). The instructions are clear and I liked the section about special finishes that you might choose based on fabric. I also appreciate the directions of which way to press when using a sheer or lace front. The Lisbon Cardigan comes in cropped and full lengths and full or 3/4 sleeves. It was drafted for a height of about 5'6'". I'm 5'4" and a little longer than average through the torso. I did not alter the height of this cropped cardigan.



I like how this cardigan looks both buttoned (or snapped) and open. Thanks to my more stylish sisters for suggesting I finish this outfit with a simple white tee.



A really cool thing about this tour is the patterns featured each day will be on sale! The Lisbon Cardigan is only $8 and the Emily Culottes are only $9 today! Be sure to check out the other posts and enter the giveaway. :)

Visit our sponsors and enter our Rafflecopter giveaway for a chance to win this unbelievable prize package:

Itch to Stitch: 2 PDF patterns of choice

Simply By Ti: Prize of $20 GC

So Sew English Fabrics: Prize of $30 GC

Mabel Madison Modern Makers: Prize of 3 yard coordinated bundle

Sly Fox Fabrics: $25GC

Raspberry Creek Fabrics: $50 GC

Surge Fabric Shop: $20 GC

Organic Cotton Plus: $25 GC

WarmCrochet: Pair of scissors




a Rafflecopter giveaway


Thanks for stopping by!!

The Morningside Dress and Shirt by French Navy Patterns

I am so excited I get to share The Morningside Dress and Shirt by Sarah-May of French Navy Patterns today. I was lucky to sneak into testing even though I was on vacation when the testing started. My favorite features are the hidden placket, curved hem, and the collar with collar stand.



I have been trying to write the pattern description in my own words but can't match the elegant description from the pattern:

"The ultimate in effortless boy-meets-girl cool, the Morningside pattern offers both dress and shirt styles with the option of two sleeve variations. All views feature a narrow collar, concealed placket and slightly dropped shoulders. Choose the classic, cuffed sleeve for a versatile wardrobe workhorse or the flounced sleeved for a more whimsical silhouette. Both dresses have a roomy fit, in-seam pockets and a curved high-low hemline. The shirt too has a boxy cut and a cropped length making it the perfect pairing for your favourite high-waisted pants."

So cool, right?!



The pdf pattern has clear instructions and illustrations and the option to print just the size(s) you need. There is also a file for printing at a copy shop, if that's your kind of thing. I was able to easily print and assemble at home. There are notches and fold lines on the pattern pieces and illustrations for exactly where to apply interfacing. The yoke is finished with a clean finish method (aka the burrito method), which is lovely.



I sewed a size large, based on my measurements. This is the same size that I've been in the other French Navy Patterns I've sewn. (The Calyer Pants, The Forsythe Dress)


I picked to sew the shirt version because I was concerned this fabric would be too sheer/lightweight for a dress. I picked this fabric up at a local store's going out of business sale. I had been eyeing the navy colorway, which would've worked fine for a dress, but I missed out on it. The fabric feels like a lightweight cotton shirting and the little dots are flocked(? or fuzzyish) on the inside of the fabric.



I love the clever way the pockets are included on the dress so I might need to move that up on my sewing list.



The Morningside Shirt is the first time I've sewn a hidden placket on a top. (I did sew a hidden fly on a pair of lounge pants for my husband. It is still somewhat confusing because the lounge pants also have elastic around the waist.) Anyway, the instructions were clearer and made more sense than the hidden fly. This was also my first time sewing a collar and collar stand and I LOVE how comfortable it is to wear and how it looks!!! I feel like I leveled up or something. The instructions for the back pleat also lead to the tidiest back pleat I've ever sewn.



I didn't alter the length at all. I'm 5'4" but I think my torso is longer than a lot of other 5'4"ers. I was thrilled to find that I can wear it with leggings and tucked or untucked! The shirt feels really comfortable on and I didn't need to give myself more room across the back or do an FBA.



Just for fun I styled my Morningside Shirt with my turquoise Liesl and Co Extra Sharp Pencil skirt and almost leather look Sloan Leggings and unblogged white stretch denim Sandbridge Skirt from Hey June Patterns (aff link if you'd like- no additional cost to you). I can see myself wearing it with jeans or trousers and dressing it up or down.









Thanks for stopping by!