Sewing Scientist

Halla Patterns Hollie Sweater and Cardigan

I tested the Hollie Sweater and Cardigan last month for Halla Patterns. I love sweaters and cardigans, but when I was testing this pattern, I had spring fever. So I made the short sleeve version and it's been too cold for me to wear the ones I made. That darn Groundhog was WRONG!

Like all Halla Patterns, this one is packed with options. This Hollie is the regular shawl color with it sewn closed. I used Purple Cactus Flower Tactel and Purple Tactel Rib knit from Zenith & Quasar Fabric. In my sewing room these matched more perfectly than they do in these photos. I'm tempted to carry this to work and see how it looks under the fluorescent lights before I actually wear it to work. If nothing else, I'll take this apart and make two new ones.

This Hollie is the regular shawl collar with a button closed front. You can leave this completely open in the front, but I did not find that to be a figure flattering look on me. The button closure I did is fake - I merely sewed the buttons on top through both layers.

This Hollie is made with a super stretchy coral french terry. Once upon a time I bought an entire bolt of about 20 yards of this french terry for only $5 because it was dirty. I washed it a dozen times and was not able to get it all completely clean. So I have to fussy cut when I use it. But I absolutely love the color and it feels so good.

I made my final Hollie right after I got a haircut and color! This Hollie has the fold over shawl collar with the button closure. All of my Hollies have a bottom band, but you can make the Hollie without a bottom band and leave it completely open for a cardigan!

I made this Hollie with cotton lycra with a cotton spandex for the bands and shawl collar.

The print on my Hollie is rain drops. I'm ready for the spring rains and flowers to bloom.

Here's a look at all the options in the Hollie. The Hollie is on sale for 20% off through 03/09. Get 20% off all PDF patterns in your cart with the code HOLLIE through 03/09 too!

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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.

Made Whimsy Spring 2019 Preorder

Made Whimsy has so many beautiful prints at preroder right now. I already blogged about the Steampunk Floral HERE. Now I want to show you the gorgeous Orange and Blossoms print.

I really love this golden yellow color. It's what made me ask Mandy for this print, And yes, it does have a lot of pink - which I normally don't like. But this combination is too beautiful to not not love.

I made the George + Ginger SoTa with my fabric. I used the Plum Dream Solid for the godets. I just love the godets on the SoTa!

I have to admit, when I ordered the Plum Dream Solid, I was not looking at the listing. I was expecting a very purply plum color. I was quite surprised when I got this, what I would call Magenta color. I wondered what the heck I was going to do with it. I think it was perfect for this Orange and Blossoms print.

I told myself earlier this year to stop making things that had pink in them, as they rarely get worn. But I'm thinking this SoTa will get worn a lot this spring.

Saturday I woke up to a stye in my right eye and some nasty drizzly and cold weather. So what do I do, I spend all morning in my sewing room looking to see what I could make with my scraps. Made Whimsy prints are now printed on 66" wide fabric and the dream solids are 68" wide, I had enough to make another top!

I made the Love Notions Tidal Top. I love that I was able to get the front center panel and sleeves from my Orange and Blossoms print scrap.

I also still have a good sized scrap left of the Plum Dream Solid. I'm passing on the remainder to Sharon. I have a feeling she can find a use for it.

Here's a look at all the prints at preorder. Preorder closes on March 11th! Order HERE.

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Zenith & Quasar Abalone Print YSS

Zenith & Quasar has ocean themed prints currently at preorder. All the prints are available on Athletic Brushed Poly (ABP), Yoga Swim Spandex (YSS), and new this year - stretch boardshort! As soon as I saw a preview of all the prints, I told Lilly I wanted to call dibs on the Abalone Texture print. She sent me a yard of the Abalone Texture printed on YSS.

I love this Abalone Texture print and had a million ideas on what I wanted to make, so I asked Lilly if there was anything specific she would like to see and what coordinate from her she wanted to see with it. When she said a color blocked top using both mint and caribbean ABP, I knew exactly what to make.

I knew the Ellie & Mac Autumn Spice Top would be perfect. I only had a remnant of the caribbean, so I used it for the bottom piece and mint for the top and sleeves.

Here is a little closer look.

The YSS goes great with the ABP. Don't be scared to use the YSS for non yoga or swim items. It's really great for so many things.

I then looked at what I had left of the Abalone Texture and decided to make a Love Notions Tidal Top with it and what was left of my yard of the mint ABP.

To maximize my fabric, I cut the front center panel cross grain. I really love how the Abalone Texture looks this way.

I did cut my center front panel so that it was slightly wider at the bottom.

It has an option to do a back center seam and I made that option. Isn't the mint ABP a gorgeous color?

I had to use every last inch of this Abalone Texture and was able to make two more items! I used some for the bodice of the Ellie & Mac Sunny Day Dress.

The skirt is Blue Enamel Tactel from last year. I love this color!

I then went through my scraps and cut godets for the George + Ginger SoTa. I had just enough for all 8 godets. I cut them every which way I could fit them on my scraps - so you might notice that the Abalone Texture is going different ways.

I used a Mauve YSS that Lilly sent me a remnant of recently. I love how so many different colors go with the Abalone Texture. You would think I have enough Abalone in my wardrobe now - but I've ordered two yards of it on the stretch woven boardshort to make some pants and two yards of the ABP to make leggings and maybe something else.

You can see all the beautiful prints available for preorder below. The preorder closes on March 9th!

George + Ginger Monna Hoodie

George + Ginger just released the Monna Hoodie. As you may know, I really don't care for hoodies. But when I saw Kristi post her tester call with a photo, I fell in love with the top. I begged Kristi to let me test it, but use a cowl instead of a hood. She was kind enough to oblige me request.

I took the cowl from the Clover Dress and it is a perfect fit onto the Monna Hoodie. I did feel a need to add a little pizazz to the cowl, So I added a bit of trim to it and just had more of an overlap.

There are so many things that I love about the Monna Hoodie. I love the front and back yokes. The extra detail of the piping is so nice. The piping is quite small and I suggest sewing these parts with a sewing machine.

Precision here is key. If you are off just a tiny bit it can be quite obvious and you will get piping that appears very uneven. I seam ripped a few times to get mine as perfect as possible.

I love tops that have yokes, banded bottoms, and banded sleeves. Thes patterns allow me to mix two prints together in a way that looks amazing and intentional. I used two different prints on french terry.

The camera print is from Wanderlust. The Black Tie Burlap is from Sew Big Fabrics.

I really love how well these two prints go together. I love the subtle print of the black tie burlap. The front bodice has gathers. I found that after I gathered the fabric, it was best to iron the gathers until they were extremely flat before adding the piping and the yoke. Doing otherwise will cause rippling and only make getting that piping perfect to be extremely difficult. Take the time to press, press, and press.

Do you see that? The Monna Hoodie has welt pockets. Everything is better with pockets, but welt pockets look so fancy.

Welt pockets take some practice. Definitely practice on scraps before trying one on a garment the first time.

I'll be wearing this Monna Hoodie every chance I get over the next few weeks. I'm in North Texas and I don't think I'll have many days cold enough to wear this before Spring gets here.

I plan to hack the Monna Hoodie soon to be short sleeved, have a banded neck, and maybe eliminate the bottom band for a Spring & Summer version. The Monna Hoodie is on sale through Friday, March 1.

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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.

Greenstyle Creations Lille Racerback Tank or Dress

I've had fun joining in the Greenstyle Fit Capsule Challenge. I've made 3 items. I was really hoping to make a few more, but time got away from me. Tomorrow (02/25) is the last day to get 25% off all the activewear patterns from Greenstyle! My latest addition to my Fit Capsule is the Lille Racerback Tank.

I made these Strides earlier in the month and wanted to make a Lille to go with them. I have a few other pairs of leggings that needed a coordinating top as well, and this Lille will go with all of them. See my blog post about the Strides HERE.

I used a swim knit from Zenith & Quasar for my Lille. This print is near & dear to me as I spent hours meticulously coloring these diatoms which are a vintage scientific illustration by Ernst Haeckel. I also have this print in my Spoonflower shop HERE.

The racerback is really nice for allowing completely free movement of the shoulders. The binding came out perfect and looks so good.

I graded out the hips more than I needed based on my measurements so that I could bet a looser more flowy fit and love how it came out. The Lille does come with an option to do a banded hem on the tank as well. The Lille also has 4 dress options.

The Lille also has the option for a built in shelf bra, Which I included and added bra cups to. I want to be able to wear it without a bra. The Lille has 2 neckline options: higher and scoop. I did the scoop neckline.

I'll definitely wear this Lille for more than working out. I can see myself wearing this with capris on a cruise or at the beach. I might even wear it to work with a cardigan or jacket.

I can't wait to make another Lille. I already have fabric for one that I bought this weekend. Be sure to grab the Lille while it, and all the other activewear patterns, are on sale for 25% off. The Lille was also recently updated to include layers for printing and the armhole has been made slightly lower. I used the original pattern file. I'm 5' tall and the original armscye is perfect on me.

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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.

5 out of 4 Jessie Top & Dress

Ever since I made the Rosanna (Tank, Tankini, Dress, and Swim Dress) from 5 out of 4, I've been wanting to make the Jessie (Top, Tunic & Dress). The Rosanna has a low back with the option to add fun straps, but it's a tank only with a peplum. The Jessie also has a low back with the option for fun straps, but it has sleeve options.

Here's a look at my strappy back.

I'm lucky that my friend Sharon (Sweet Mama Life) tested the Jessie and was able to tell me how much I needed to move the back scoop up to hide my bra. She told me she moved hers up 1.5" and since I'm shorter than her at 5', that I should move mine up 2". She was right - it came out perfect.

I made a size large bust graded to size large hips. I also wanted a looser fit and cut at the dress width cut line to give a little extra ease. I love how my Jessie turned out.

I used cotton lycra from Made Whimsy for my Jessie. This Steampunk Floral needed to be made into an edgy top. The Jessie was perfect for it.

Here's a closer look at the Steampunk Floral print.

I'm not usually into real girly florals and loved the colors of this print and the fun steampunk elements in it.

I paired the Steampunk Floral with the Dark Turquoise Dream Solid Cotton Lycra. I love the dream solids. They are so soft and smooth, and the weight is 220 - 230 gsm like the custom prints.

Made Whimsy has many fun & beautiful designs currently at preorder through March 5th. Check it out 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.