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10.12.2014

Two Hemlock Tops and a Magnolia Skirt

Prior to a year or so ago, I was hugely intimidated by sewing with knits.  I had some not so great experiences with some not so great fabrics so for years I shied away from them.  My close friend, Heather, would tell me about her latest knit creations which were always amazing.  She'd encourage me to give them another try.  I would gently remind her that I don't sew knits.

handmade nest

It wasn't until I couldn't find leggings in the colors and stripes that I wanted that I decided to give knits another go.  I started with the Sunki leggings pattern - a very good place to start, to quote The Sound of Music.  I slowly worked up the courage to try a few more things.   Now, I'm hooked.


sisters

Knits are relatively simple to work with, actually.  They don't fray, so there's no need to finish the seams and you don't have to worry about back closures like zippers or buttons.  I've been having really great luck with stretch thread.   So far, no broken hems.  This time I decided to really live on the edge and not use my double needle, to test if stretch thread is stretchy enough to handle hemming with a single needle and straight stitch.  I'll report back on that!

sisterly love 

I have to admit, while I have tried sewing t-shirts, in the end I just couldn't get jazzed enough about them to move them to the top of my sewing priority list.  But when Heidi of Elegance and Elephants sent me her patterns for her pattern tour, I couldn't wait to try the Hemlock Top.

crazy kids

I love the ruffled sleeve and I particularly like the look of this top when sewed so it looks like there's a t-shirt underneath.

hemlock top 

This pattern was easy to sew and came together in a naptime - not a long one, either!  You can't argue with that!

tia's hemlock t

The pattern neckband was too short for the knits I was using.  If the neckband is too short, you will have to pull it so it's very tight in order to make it fit and that causes the neckband to gather the shirt fabric.  I re-cut the neckband so it was 1 1/2 inches shorter than the shirt neckline.  That seemed about right.

1A2A8963 

 Based on the girls' measurements, I cut a size 6 for Indigo (who's 7 1/2) but added the length of the size 9.  On the sleeves I add the size 9 length plus one inch and it was perfect.

indigo's moves 

For Tia I cut the size 4 and I wish I would have added a little more length to the sleeves, but otherwise, it seems like a good fit.

indigo's moves 

For Indigo's top I used this fabric.  I'm so excited about all of the awesome, quality knit fabrics coming out lately.

hemlock top/magnolia skirt

For Tia's I tried this bamboo rayon.  It was kind of silky and really smooshy and I like it but I have this feeling it might run.  I'm not sure.  I'll report back on that, too.  Call me a one-trick pony, but I couldn't resist sewing up another white with black dots + mustard combo (my previous ones are here and here).

hemlock top

Even Indigo informed me that three was enough.  I'm becoming a little too predictable, apparently.

Iris and Tia 

So about that rayon.  I sewed a Magnolia skirt for Tia in a tealish rayon and the drape of the rayon was not working.  It reminded me of an 80's prom dress.  The 80's may be back, but this most certainly was not.  Also Tia was swimming in it.  Well, you win some, you lose some.  So Tia's wearing some linen pants I made here.

I feel ya, T!
I don't know either, T!  :)

For Indigo's skirt, I sewed a size 9 length and size 5 width and I think it changed the shape of the skirt somewhat?  This is more of a tulip shape, which Indigo really loved, but just an FYI that I don't know if it was supposed to look like this exactly.

magnolia skirt/hemlock top

I had planned to take photos of just Tia and Indigo but I had a bunch of photobombers this evening.

photobomber

But, in the words of Pete the Cat, It's all good!

Untitled 

They're all for one for all and all for one, these guys.  

25 comments:

  1. I'm still afraid with knits, but this hemlock top could help me... Yours are truly very nice (especially Indigo's). And the last pic is perfect for your wall !

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    1. Just go for it! Knits are one thing in life that I can promise you don't have to be afraid of! :)

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  2. Oh you've done it again...convinced me that I need to go an buy a new pattern! ;) I love your shirts so fun and playful with great color combos! That skirt is also fantastic...I'd like one for myself ;) , great silhouette!

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  3. There is something so beautiful and natural about your photos. I'm just trying to work out how you manage it :-)

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    1. Thanks so much! I have to admit, the kids totally took the lead. It was way better than anything I would come up with. :)

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  4. Such great photos- stunning children! I LOVE those tops, and the fabrics you chose are perfect. UGH... do I need another pattern??!!! Probably!

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  5. Those tops are lovely! Such a nice shape, and I love that flutter sleeve. The fabric you used on Indigo's top is really nice. Iris' dress is also really sweet. Which dress is that?

    The comment about Indigo pointing out three mustard/black/white shirts were enough made me laugh out loud. The thing is, it's such a great colour combination and looks really good on all your kids.

    I love seeing your kids together! Looks like they had a great time :)

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    1. That dress is the Caroline Party Dress. One of my favorite dresses ever. I blogged about it here. http://www.stitched-together.com/2014/04/the-caroline-party-dress-and-perfect.html

      Oh goodness, that girl is sooo funny! Parenting just gets more and more fun as they get older (and can help, too!). ;) They say the funniest things! :)

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  6. yay Rachel these are all such lovely clothes! the pattern for the top looks like an absolute winner - I love a faux long sleeve under short sleeve thing too! Indigo's skirt is superb, I'd like one just like that please!
    Beautiful photos of your lovely kids.

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  7. Gorgeous, Rachel! Thank you so much for sewing up these patterns and doing such a lovely job. :)

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  8. Love the prints you used!! I ran out of time to sew the skirt, but I love the way yours turned out. I may have to try to squeeze it in!

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    1. Thanks so much, Courtney! I would definitely recommend taking your daughter's measurements first. I didn't with Tia and I think that's mostly why it was so big on her. And the rayon just did not work for this project. But I know Tia would love one in knit, so I may have to try to squeeze another one in, too. :)

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  9. Oh my goodness, that last photo of them being pushed in the wheelbarrow? That is one to frame and hang on the wall! I love it!! So fun.

    I really love those ruffled sleeves too, you are tempting me! (don't need any more patterns. don't need any more patterns. don't need any more patterns.) You went from never sewing knits to being quite the pro. See, knits are easy, right? I *told* you! ;-)

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  10. Gorgeous photos!
    And love all these outfits - the tops and the skirt, and the linen pants. Like Inder, I am chanting - don't need any more patterns....(but feeling very weak ;-) )

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  11. ....back again - I actually love the shape of your skirt more than the original :-)

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  12. I'm laughing at all your little photo bombers, lol! They're all so adorable, how can you possible shoo them away!?!
    These tops are lovely Rachel! I'm loving the fabric pairings, they really work!
    Natalie
    XX

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  13. Oh my word! Could that wheelbarrow picture be ANY cuter?! You must just want to smoosh them all with kisses!:)
    Lovely tops, and when a great color combination works for you, then just go with it (again)! I think that mustard/black and white combo looks fantastic, and that top looks so great on Tia. I noticed right away the pants you paired them with - I'm so glad she's wearing those and they look perfect with this top! Love the knit choice for Indigo's top too - I haven't sewn with the Art Gallery fabric but I hear it's pretty great. You're right - designers are starting to catch on to the need for cool, quality knits! And tops like yours certainly make such fabrics shine!

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    1. Oh Lucinda, I wish they were! Tia is a dresses-and-skirts kind of gal. I had meant for this top to go with a skirt and leggings. I didn't have one that matched thus the pants that she reluctantly put on. Otherwise, those have hardly been worn. wah wah

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  14. I love the ruffles on the sleeves- how fun! If I ever need another shirt pattern, I'l know what to buy :) What a fun collection of pictures. And any post that can quote both Sound of Music and Pete the Cat is an absolutely winner in my book!

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  15. GOsh!! these kids are growing fast!! I have been away from my computer for only about 3 weeks and : look!! they have changed so much! I love this photo shoot. and yes, I am the same with knits: totally understand what you mean by "I don't sew knits"!! I am getting there too. I love your choice of fabrics here and I am pinning because I will sew this pattern for sure.. one day... when I get some time!!:):)

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  16. This is a really cute twist to a basic tee! My kids would love the little ruffle on the sleeve!
    And I just have to say that I love hearing you be an evangelist for sewing with knits! Amazing how just a little while ago they seemed so difficult and now you're turning out amazing knit garments (not to mention writing a whole pattern!!!!). You are amazing!

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  17. oh man, more beauty!! you're just what I needed this afternoon :) and I love love love art gallery knits so much!

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