Itch to Stitch Busan Top

I love testing for Kennis at Itch to Stitch. The newest pattern I tested, the Busan Top, is a new favorite!

The Busan Top is designed to be made with heavier knits. The sleeves won't have as dramatic a flair if you use a lighter knit.

This makes the Busan Top perfect for cotton lycra. It's hard to find patterns for tops that can be made with cotton lycra that are not plain t-shirts or raglans.

Check out these sleeves! The top has narrow shoulder and these big pleated sleeves that look great on all figures. If you have broad shoulders, they are minimized, and if you have narrow shoulders (like me) they add a bit of volume to make them look bigger (and my hips look smaller).

I also love the high neckline. This is the perfect top for cooler weather.

Here's a closer look at the pleats on the sleeve.

I love that the Busan Top is slightly loose. It's a comfortable fit that I feel good in.

Of course I couldn't make just one Busan Top!

Look how gorgeous the sleeve is in this green velvet from Zenith & Quasar!

I love how dressy it feels in this velvet.

I'm tempted to make another one of these tops in velvet. But I'm on a velvet kick lately and want to make everything in velvet. 

I was hoping to make at least one more Busan Top before the pattern released, but time got away from me. I'll definitely be making time to sew another one or two over the holidays.

The Busan Top is on sale for $8 through December 21st! Be sure to check out the release blog post with photos from the other testers. It can be seen HERE! So many testers made fancy holiday worthy versions that are worth seeing.

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. These links provide me with a small compensation if you make a purchase using my link. There is not cost to you when you do this. My thoughts and opinions given in this blog post are mine.

George + Ginger Slash Tunic

It's been awhile since I made a George + Ginger Slash Tunic, so what better time than now. The Slash Tunic is best when made with heavier and stiffer knits like liverpool and scuba. These types of knits tend to be hot so I love them for fall and winter wear.

I've had this Nicole Miller scuba knit from Jo-Ann's in my stash for a long time. The print was called Boho Patch Multi.

I really love that with a busy print like this, the princess seams seem to disappear.

I just love the slash hem on the Slash Tunic. It allows for the leg to peak through as you walk and move, but it stays closed when standing. You can make the slash openings as daring or modest as you like. I prefer them to open beginning at my high hip to ensure I don't flash and flesh.

The Slash Tunic comes in tunic, mid, and long lengths. This is the mid length.

It also has three sleeve options; short, 3/4, and long. These are the 3/4 length sleeves.

The back has a center seam with shaping to prevent pooling at the lower back and to also allow for sway back adjustments. The back lays nice and flat, I'm just standing wonky in the photo.

The Slash Tunic is a great piece to wear over leggings or skinny leg pants. I keep saying that I'm going to make a few in solid colors to wear with leggings, but the funky bold prints always grab my attention first. If you are interested, the link to my first blog on the Slash Tunic can be found HERE.

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. These links provide me with a small compensation if you make a purchase using my link. There is not cost to you when you do this. My thoughts and opinions given in this blog post are mine.

Designer Stitch Gemma Twist Tops

I love testing patterns for Ann Grose of Designer Stitch. Ann keeps us entertained and her patterns are always perfectly drafted. This time was especially fun for me as my friend Sharon also joined in on this test.

The newest pattern from Designer Stitch is Gemma. Gemma is a beautiful top that has two variations - each is equally beautiful. I only had time to test one variation, and that was the twist front.

Gemma is Italian for precious stone  - a gem or gemstone. This was stuck in my head as I pursued my shelves of fabric looking for the perfect fabric to make my Gemma with. So when I came across this jewel covered jersey, I knew I had to make a gem covered Gemma.

I'm wearing my Blue Tactel Shakti pants in these photos. The Shakti pants go perfectly with Gemma.

The Shakti Pants are also from Designer Stitch. You can read my blog post about them HERE. I absolutely love the 5 pairs I made and wear them non stop.

I removed 2" in length from the Gemma for my height. I think this length is perfect on me. If I made it longer, I worry that the knot would then land right under my belly and then accentuate it.

I really love that the neckline has a very gentle v-neck shape. It's also not daringly low, but also not too high either.

Ann asked us to give a sexy look to the camera. I decided to give the camera a smoldering gaze. I think I just look pissed off.

Either way, I do feel beautiful in my Gemma.

Sharon and I met up for photos. It was a lovely day, hot, but not unbearable.  I decided to switch out of Shakti pants and put on a pair of black RTW pants.

We of course talked about Ann and her asking us to be sexy. I asked Sharon if this was sexy enough?

And she laughed at me! Then we both had a good laugh and called it a day.

I just love Sharon's mustard Gemma. If you want to read her review of the Gemma, head over to her blog Sweet Mama Life.

The Gemma is on sale through September 3 for $8. Ann is in Australia, so in the US the sale ends sometime on September 2. You can buy the pattern HERE.

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. These links provide me with a small compensation if you make a purchase using my link. There is not cost to you when you do this. My thoughts and opinions given in this blog post are mine.