The Brooklyn Jacket, a Designer Stitch Design

 The new Brooklyn Denim jacket

A Designer Stitch Design

I have always wanted to sew a Denim Jean jacket, but felt intimidated to do so, probably because of the topstitching. The Brooklyn Jacket by DS made it so much easier to sew my very 1st jean jacket. As usual, I do need to sew a muslin to get a proper fit. I did need to grade down from a size 5 to a size 4.

It took over a week to sew my Brooklyn jacket due to illness. I was able to do the topstitching with a bit of care and keep the stitching even, since I didn't use a double needle for the topstitching.

I had a vision for my Brooklyn jacket; I wanted to style my jacket with white jeans and a white T-shirt. I went to 3 different stores looking for these items and couldn't find them. So Orbey decided to give me one of his new white T-shirts, which I needed to cut 3" off and hem. I felt very lucky to find the only pair of white jeans at Ross that fit me; it was meant to be, lol.

Designer Stitch

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DS London Ponte Pant

 The Designer Stitch

London Ponte Pant

The new London Ponte Pant by Designer stitch. When I saw the line drawings for the London pant, I was very excited and had to jump in to test these. I had been looking for a pin tuck, down the center of a nice casual/dress pant pattern, for a long time. 

I asked Ann from DS if she would design a pant with a pin tuck down the center front leg, high waisted, and with a loose leg. I showed her pictures of what I was looking for in a pattern, so I was excited to see it up for testing.

I knew I needed to sew up a muslin because I struggle to get pant patterns to fit me. I wanted a semi loose pant, one that would be comfortable to wear all day without tugging and pulling. The black pair of the London pant was my muslin which I perfect to become my final. I needed to add 1" to the back rise, scoop the back crotch inward, grade from the hips down. I started with a 5 waist, to a 4 at hips. Then I was happy with the fit of the straight leg, black pants, just what I had been looking for in a pant for a long time.

I paired my black London Ponte pant with another of DS designs, the Genevieve top/dress. I believe that when I test for a designer, I must pair whatever I test, pair it with another of that designer's garment or use a ready too wear, never another designer's garment.

Once my London Ponte pant pattern was graded to where I felt comfortable, I made another pant in Pone De Roma, green and black plaid fabric. I was very happy with the fit. This pant was made with no pockets, optional, and I used the optional wider pant leg, slight flared.

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Tali top, a Designer Stitch design

 Tali Blouse

          a Designer Stitch design

Tali is a unique design with a front twist, I love it.

I sewed up my Tali top, shown above, in a satin fabric, and the color chosen, I love. I also paired the Tali top with a Saki skirt (not in production). I feel the outfit can be used for either going out or casual. The fabrics used can be from a wide variety of light to medium weight woven fabric. I love the front twist design, it is unique. There are no buttons to sew, and you still have a front opening at the lower blouse. I also made the elbow sleeve version.

I first started with a size 6d graded down to 5 at the hips. The size I chose to use was a tad bit big so I went down to 5c and graded down to 4 at hips, a much better fit. Sewing a muslin first, makes such a big difference on how your fit will turn out, with and if adjustments are needed. I am looking forward to sewing up a boho style Tali with a looser and longer fit, using more of a rayon challis fabric.

Satin fabric is a bit difficult to sew with, especially because it does fray a bit. I usually use a cigarette lighter to burn the seam edges as I sew along, (my serger is on strike right now, lol) 

If you do give Tali a try, it's wells worth it, take your time, sew up a muslin first, and make adjustments as needed.

For more information on the Tali top, click on the aff link, (which helps with fabric) come see all the testers versions, they all look great.

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New Release: The Beth dress by DS.

 Beth Dress

a pdf design by Designer Stitch

When I saw the Beth dress was up for testing, I knew I had to test and what print I would sew this dress in. I was going for a country style with the prints I picked.

The Beth dress comes in different versions and lengths for the sleeves and the hem length. Shown here is the elbow sleeve length, with the midi length. I love the shirring on the sleeves, and the side skirt split. 

Both my dresses are made from cotton fabric. Because I have a bad right hand, I did use a right side zipper instalment, making it easier for me to zip the dress up and down.

Tip: do take current measurements and follow the instructions on your correct size, you might need to grade down or up on the pattern. Sew up a muslin first using the same type of fabric listed in instructions. By making a muslin, you are able to adjust for correct fit. It took me a couple of tries ripping out my muslin before I was happy with the fit.

Click on the DS link for the pattern and to see other testers makes. Thank you Ann for another great design.

https://designerstitch.com/

 

Peta Dress and Top

PDF by Designer Stitch Designs 

I have enjoyed sewing all three of my Peta garments. The 1st top with flowers was made from a rayon fabric and short ruffled sleeve, shown above. This style is easy to sew and wear. The neck band is folded over and hand stitched, but I did a stitch in the ditch because of my bad hand. Hand work does not come easy for me.

The second Peta top was a bit trickier. I wanted to use a lace type fabric for the sleeves but my main fabric which is a soft linen, and the sleeves is a cotton lace type fabric, neither fabric matched. So, I took to tea dying until both sleeves and bodice matched, shown below. I like the top length on me so that I can wear with a thin belt. 

How did I tea dye: I started with 2 black tea bags in a 1/4 cup of hot water to dye the main body fabric, which was more of a white in color. I put the hot cup of tea bags into a 1/4 filled sink of cold water, dipped the main fabric, I repeated the process, but added 4 tea bags instead, until I felt the fabric was close in color to the lace. I then repeated the process dipping both the lace and main fabric until I felt I had a close match, then rinsed in cold water and air dried. Tea dying is more of a slow process until your happy with the results. Tip: dip a corner of your main fabric to tea dye to see if it's the color you are looking for. 

My last Peta garment is a dress. I love this dress, I made it for an evening out. I had this chiffon fabric with specks of silver foil all around, for the longest time, The Peta was the perfect use for this fabric. As with chiffon fabric, French seaming is a must, which takes a bit of time and patience. I kept my Peta dress below the knee length so that when I wear it with a thin belt, it will hit at knee level. Now to wait for an evening out.

Overall, I am very pleased with the Peta design, very easy to sew, easy to wear, no fussing when wearing, and can be made for any occasion. As with any garment sewing, sewing a muslin first to obtain proper fit is a must, as well as following step by step instructions, Happy Sewing.

Thank you for viewing my blog. For more tester pics and information, click on the aff link. http://designerstitch.com/?affiliates=12

To view my other sewn design, visit me on FB.

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Road test for the Kat top.

 Designer Stitch Kat top

and the many ways to style the Kat top.

When I first began road testing for DS, the Kat top became one of my favorite designs to add to my wardrobe. The Kat top has two versions to choose from, the Weekend top and the Weekday top.

The Weekday Kat top has set-in sleeves and the Weekend Kat top has more of a casual look with extended shoulders, without sleeves. 

I also hacked the Weekday Kat top into a shift dress (shown below) by adding length, still keeping the shape of the hem.

What I loved about the Kat top, it's an easy sew, you can be creative and use it as your shell to decorate, it's versatile, and you can style it in many different ways, see pic below. The picture below was my very first Kat top and I embellished it with lace. Here I paired my weekend Kat top with the Kiera skirt.

Paired here with the Santi skirt. You can see the lace detail a little better in this pic.

Paired with the Dylan pants.

Weekday and Weekend Kat top shown below, Paired with the Page skirt. The blue top is in a woven challis Weekend top, the White striped is the Weekday Kat in a knit fabric.

What I love about the Kat top, it can be used in different fabric mediums. Shown below is the Weekday Kat in a black lace, for  salsa dancing, paired with the Carmen skirt.

Another Weekday Kat top in knit fabric and hacked with elbow sleeves. Paired here with the Indu design.

I have also paired my kat top with the new Dickie underneath, and paired with the Harper pants.

Over the years I have so appreciated the many Designer Stitch designs to be added into my wardrobe. I grew up sewing with woven fabrics, and DS has many designs for woven fabrics, knit too.

Thank you for visiting my blog.

#aff link

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