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.

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Monique Road Test

The Monique Jumpsuit/Dress 

a Designer Stitch Design

I have sewn many knit jumpsuits, but this is my first woven jumpsuit. When I went to look for fabric, I wanted a fabric that would be flowy. I found this beautiful tencel fabric. I never worked with tencel before. Working with tencel wasn't easy, but with a little patience it turned out great for me. 

The Monique comes with many versions, jumpsuit, shorts, dress, different lengths, and two types of sleeves, and a belt option. For my Monique, I choose the long pant jumpsuit with the bishop sleeves. I also used half round ivory buttons. Because I am 5' 3 1/2" tall, I did shortened the length just over 5". I like the option of using cups sizing, makes it so much easier in grading for proper fit.

Tips: When using tencel fabric, iron fabric before cutting it out, use interfacing on the edge where the invisible zipper will be sewn, adjust and grade until you are satisfied with the fit.

The many versions to the Monique shown below. Take a look in the DS shop to see the many awesome versions, of the Roadie Testers.

Overall, I am very happy with the Monique jumpsuit and do plan on making a long dress version. Thank you Ann for another fun design, very elegant too, well I fell very elegant with my version.

#aff link, http://designerstitch.com/?affiliates=12

The Jose Cami top, slip dress, and bodysuit.

 Jose pdf set

a Designer Stitch design

The newly released Jose Cami set, in woven and knit fabrics. The Jose comes in several versions and has a front drape; the slip dress, the cami top, the body suit, and the briefs. Many options in one pdf. The briefs are in knit fabric, the cami and slip dress are in woven cut on the bias. 

Shown above is the slip dress with a slight drape, in woven fabric, cut on the bias.

Shown here, the slip dress with the knit briefs.

The bodysuit is one of my favorites. I have the freedom of not worrying about my blouse coming out of my jeans or skirts, and if worn with tight pants, no undie leg seams are shown.

Shown below is the bodysuit with the attached briefs, the briefs shown are in the boy cut version, love love.

Lastly, is the Cami set shown below.

For this set I used a lace trim. and matched the briefs with the cami top. The briefs are also cut on the bias.

As with most patterns, sewing a muslin/toile is a must to obtain your fit. I find sewing a muslin very helpful for me as most patterns are drafted for 5'8" height, I am 5' 3 1/2" tall. 

Take advantage of this awesome package with so many options and versions. Can be intimate, for an evening out, or for a Summer outing.

The options shown above.

Thank you for reading my blog.

aff link http://designerstitch.com/?affiliates=12

 Designer Stitch Designs

My many sewn DS garments, 50% off until 7/9/2021

Jenny dress

The Jenny dress shown above is a re-visited design to add cup sizing. Cup sizing makes a big difference in woven fabric, makes fitting much easier. For my Jenny dress I chose the classic style, there is also a tie-front overlay version. I am very happy with my version which can be used as a Summer dress, going out dress, or for any occasion. As for any custom sewn garment, sewing a muslin is a must to obtain your correct sizing.

Pippa dress and top

The Pippa is another design that is a re-make to add cup sizing. It has been very hot where I live and all I can think about are Summer clothing. I chose to make my Pippa using the top version and sewn in a Challis fabric. Many years ago I had a red chiffon top just like this one and I grew out of it, lol. I was happy to see that I could re-create my old top using the Pippa top version. I do plan on making more out of challis fabric.

Other designs to consider for the current 50% of sale, which isn't often that DS sales come along. aff link http://designerstitch.com/?affiliates=12

Shown below are many of my favorites.

The Azure swimsuit.

I don't often wear swimsuits because often they don't fit right and I am fidgeting with them. With the Azure swimsuit I have felt so secure and comfortable wearing it. I have made two.

The Ariana dress

I planned ahead for my Christmas dress with the Ariana.

The Lana dress

Another special occasion dress, the Lana dress makes for any occasion dress.

The Brenda dress in black

I have been wanting a black special occasion dress. The Brenda dress was the perfect black dress for me. I added a lace insert for the bottom of my sleeves.

The Stacey knit dress

I love the fit and comfort of wear the Stacey dress. I have worn this dress a few times, just to wear, no special occasion.

The Donelle Dress and Top

My version of the Donelle, I made the top version to use when I go out salsa dancing, I just love this style for a night out dancing.

The Saki skirt

Another favorite of mine is the Saki skirt, made here in Double Brush Poly. I love this skirt for any occasion, especially dancing.

The Ashley Cami slip

I just love wearing this as a nightgown, but it can be made for a Summer dress or top. I paired my Ashley with the Marieke Robe, which can also be an any occasion robe.

The Indu Wrap pants 

The Indu

 wrap pants have been so comfortable to wear, I never get tired of them.

My all time favorite, the Synthia top, not because it has my namesake, but because it is a classic top.

The Synthia top has a soft look, comfortable to wear, and can be styled many different ways, as I have shown here two ways.

 My very first Designer Stitch make/test is the

Willow Wrap. 

I have so many. many favorite DS designs. But my very first DS make/test, is the Willow Wrap. I had so much fun being creative with this. I used 2 different silk Saris to make this wrap, and I made my own fringe.

Designer Stitch Designs has so many classic styles to choose from and for any occasion. Take advantage of this rare 50% off sale until 7/9/2021. 

Click on af aff link for more styles and information

http://designerstitch.com/?affiliates=12

 GreenStyle Creations 

my sewn mini capsule

I have been a part of the GS promo team over for two years. I have enjoyed creating and promoting my mini capsules just about every month using GS patterns. It has given me motivation and the opportunity to be creative without having to stick to a normal testing.

MINI CAPSULE

My mini capsule shown includes, the Pace skirt, the Solo Tank, the Nantucket hat, and underneath the Solo tank is the Embrace bra. Fabrics used for the Solo tank, Embrace bra, and the shorts for the Pace skirt is the Brushed Yoga in lavender from GS, and the Nantucket hat and Pace skirt from a stretch woven fabric I had in my stash.

I often wear hats, so sewing my own custom-made hats using the GS Nantucket hat pattern gives me that opportunity, I have sewn 4 already. For my hat I used the same stretch woven fabric from the Pace skirt. The interfacing kept my hat from stretching. I also used black binding for an accent. I used double fold binding with a 1/8" cord in-between to turn it into the black hat trim (it's what I had at the time and it worked), and sewed it into the seam, I like the accent touch. For this hat I used the tall crown option. My hat fits true to the Nantucket sizing pattern.

For the Solo tank and the Embrace bra, I used the same Yoga fabric from GS. I like the loose fitting of the Solo tank and kept it at a longer length to use the tie option at the side.

Another Nantucket hat

PACE SKIRT

The pace skirt came with a short pattern to turn your Pace skirt into a skort, I love skorts, so comfortable to wear.  The skirt has a pleated back skirt and a flat front. I hacked my Pace skirt, I used two front pattern pieces. I did add back darts on the skirt. I used the high rise waistband for front and back of the skirt. I followed the pattern instructions to complete my skirt. For the side slits, I used fold over elastic as my trim on the side slits and the hem as I wanted to match the trim on the Nantucket hat. I am 5' 3 1/2" tall, normally I would have shortened the skirt, but I left it at it's original pattern length, I wanted a knee length for my skirt. For the short I used the optional crotch gusset, I love the comfort of using this small detail for my stretch shorts. I used the interfacing for my waistband and did not have any problems slipping my skirt on, the waistband stretched as it should with the stretch woven fabric.

I can't live without lip gloss, the Pace short has a much needed pocket just for my lip gloss.

Overall I love my new mini capsule. I hope you enjoyed reading about my GS sewing experience and that it wasn't too long of a read, lol. For more information on these GS patterns click on the aff link.

aff link, https://bit.ly/3pCXeBA