Two New Patterns, Two New Athleisure Outfits, and Two Different Knit Fabrics - S8529 & M7610

This post is about two's.  I'm reviewing two patterns, two athleisure outfits, and two different types of knit fabrics.

I didn't realize Simplicity had a version of the Sew House Seven Toaster Sweater until a few months ago.  So I grabbed a copy to try it.  I was most interested in the funnel neck oversized tops.  The others views are available in other big 4 patterns.  I do support indy pattern makers.  But for this one, I figured it were be a savings on a very simple pattern.  I bought it at JoAnn's for $1.99.

Many sewists have posted their version of the Toaster Sweater on Instagram.  That is actually where I became interested in trying it.  I didn't use any sweater knit to make views A and B.  Instead for view A I used a very soft French terry that I purchased from Company Name on Amazon Prime.  This company  is new to me so I only purchased enough for the top and a matching pair of joggers. The jogger review follows this one.  The French terry is amazingly soft, it is slightly lighter than the average French terry used in most hoodies/sweatshirts garments.  Before cutting into it, I pre-shrunk the yardage and dried it.  Out of the dryer it was extra soft.  Perfect for lounge wear.  

My second fabric is from Mood Fabrics.  It is a medium weight cotton knit that I purchased a few years ago.  This textile is stiffer and has a dry hand.  While I love the color, the stiffness does reduce the comfort level of this set.  I made matching joggers for this top as well.  These fabric was pre-shrunk as well.

With the different fiber, weight, and weave of the two, there is a noticeable difference in how each top wears on the body.  The purple top is fluid falling close to the body.  But the orange top stands away from the body.  Note the funnel is stands up all on it's own.

I used size large for both tops.  There is a lot style ease in them.  For view B, I could have reduced the length of the waistband by a few inches.  It does not rest on my waist.

Both tops look like the drawing and the pictures on the envelope. I just glance at the instructions. Very typical; off hand nothing confusing in them. For view A I did change how I finished the slit.  Instead I made mitered corners.  This finish looks better to me. 

I think I was interested in how the funnel neck tops would look on my frame.  My favorite is view A. I discovered that this style of neckline isn't a favorite.  The funnel does not fit close to my neckline.  I prefer the funnel of the Christine Jonson Trio set.  Everything else is fine.  

I don't think I'll make these views again for myself.  I have lots of other tops to try.  But I do recommend the pattern to others.  

Overall, I am pleased with how these tops turned out.  My favorite is the purple one.  Because of a few things:  the funnel neck drapes a little, the softness of the fabric, and the hemline.  These tops are very easy to make and sew up fast.  

For the joggers, I used McCall's 7610.  This is other pattern grab that was "encouraged" by Instagram sewists.  These really turned out well. The joggers fall a few inches above the ankle.  So, I added several inches to lengthen them.  I may make the shorter version later in the spring.  

Like most sewists, I already have several jogger pants patterns in my collection.  The design of these were slightly different than any I own.  It's the pockets.  And I liked the curve of them.  I wanted to try them to see how the pockets would lay on the curve of my body.  They do lay flat. :-)  The waistband is nice too. 

I used size large with a little modification.  My joggers do look like the picture on the envelope except for the length of the pants.

The instructions were typical and easy to follow.  There was nothing confusing in them.  The pants were another easy project.  

I will make these again.  There are a few things I will change though.  First, I won't make them as long.  Often I add too much to the length occasionally having to cut off an inch or so.  I guess I can attribute this to always having a difficult time finding any pants that were long enough in the stores.  Second, the width of the leg is a little wider than excepted.  I will definitely taper the legs a bit and reduce the height of the cuffs.

It's a good jogger pattern, and I do recommend it.  If you are looking for comfortable outfit to wear around the house, to the gym, or to run errands, the combination of the Toaster Sweater and these joggers is perfect.

So, this completes the new athleisure outfits that I made in February.  I hope this review was helpful.

Closing Shots:  I actually like my new MiMi G. S9182 top with the peachy orange joggers.  

Happy Sewing!

C

Cute Comfy Top - Simplicity S9182

This morning I woke up to over 12 inches of snow!  Yesterday afternoon we thought we had a head start on clearing it off driveway and the side walk.  But when I peaked out of the window, there it was more of the fluffy white stuff.

Surprised?  Nope.  It is to be expected.  We hoped for a lighter snowfall over night. So, while the mini blizzard was taking place, I spent the evening cooking and sewing up Mimi G.'s Simplicity S9182 top, view A.

I grabbed a copy of the pattern at Hobby Lobby on Saturday for 99 cents.  I couldn't wait to try it.  The the collar and the center front zipper were what that sold me on this one.  So, today I'm reviewing View A.

This pattern includes three views: two tops and a slim skirt.  Simplicity has very little descriptive information.  So here is mine.  Knit tops with center front zipper, dropped sleeves with sleeve bands and large sailor like collar.  The waist is finished with or without a waistband.  The skirt is a pencil skirt with waist darts, center front and back seams.  Large hip pockets with flaps and a center back zipper.  

This pattern is available in sizes 6 to 24.  I used a size 16 with a few modifications.

My "first version" looks like the drawing.  The instructions were typical.  Most of them I followed as stated and others I changed a bit.  Nothing complicated though. 

I used a tie dye french terry knit that I purchased from Sew So English Fabrics.  I ordered this yardage along with a few others months ago.  The same day that I received the fabric, I tossed it in the washer so it would be ready to sew when I decided what to make.  The fabric came from the dryer soft and fluffy ready to sew.   

The few changes are:  

• The first few steps are related to sewing the zipper to the center front of the top.  This is the major focal point.  So I really wanted to get this right.  First, I marked the cutting lines.  Then, I fused a strip of fusible tricot interfacing to the wrong side where the zipper would be placed.  Next, I stay stitched along the lines where the zipper would be stitched.  Carefully I cut the center front and each side of the triangle where the base of the zipper would rest.  Next, placed the zipper with the right side facing the right side of the top, the bottom of the zipper pointing to the top edge of the top. Stitched horizontal seam. Then flipped the zipper up with the zipper pull at the neck edge.  Using the stay stitching as a guide, I turned the edges in along the vertical sides of the zipper.  Pinned and hand based in place.  Finally, I machine stitched the zipper to the top.  I used this method because I was sure it would work for me.  It was very important that the zipper looked perfectly centered and stitched to the top.

•  I did a small FBA (,75") for comfort.  This FBA does not result in a bust dart.  Instead I eased in the difference to maintain the original look of the top.  It worked well.  The adjustments added 1.5" to the width of the top.  I eased it in when I attached the waistband as I only need the extra width in the chest area.  I actually could have reduce the length of the band maybe a inch or so.
• Instruction #15 indicates stitch stretching band to fit.  The sleeve opening is several inches wider than the opening of the sleeve band.  So I decided to gather it instead.  It worked.
• I lengthen the sleeve two inches.  I have long arms. 
• After stitching the under collar to the top, I folded the upper collar over the top sandwiching the top between the two collar layers  pinning only to the front neckline.  The rest of the collar was hand stitched to the back.  I like this finish better.

These are my changes.  The first change was the most time consuming.  But not difficult to do.

I want to make this top again for sure.  It came together very well and I like how it looks on me.  When I searched online to see if others made the top.  Only a few post so far.  Don't sleep this one.  It's a great top and it's not difficult to make.  

I enjoyed making this top and will make another soon.  

Parting Shot:  This is my block after the Monday night big snow.  It's a beautiful site.  But to shoveling.., Now that is another story. Lol