From the Needs Work Department

This is one of the first Textile Studio Santa Monica tees I made. It was made last fall/winter and I wore it all the time since I have several sweaters that go really well with it. It was one of the first things I'd pull out and put on from the basket of fresh laundry. It was one of my favorites.  I go to put it on the other day, it was chilly and it has three-quarter length sleeves, and I can't get my arm through the sleeve. The sleeve is all stuck together. With something minty. It's GUM!! I was a bit cross with the gum chewer who committed this crime, but luckily it was just the sleeve. So now it has cap sleeves and I can wear it all summer too!

17 colors of ITY!

These two solid colored tops are the last two of Santa Monica tees I had planned. On a whim, I added this fabric to my cart on Amazon just to qualify for free shipping. I've been buying fabric online for many years, mainly from Fabric.com (which Amazon now owns) but this was the first time from Amazon's site. I rarely see anything other than prints, so I was very surprised to find so many solid colors of ITY fabric. The shipping from this seller was super fast and the price good. As you know, buying fabric online can sometimes be disappointing, but not this time. This is great fabric!

(I'll get to that print top later)

I have not been paid for this endorsement,
but will accept either cash or fabric.

Textile Studio Santa Monica Tee

Its that time of year when I usually pick a tank or tee pattern then make it to death. Two years ago it was this pattern. This year, it could easily become this pattern. I like it that much, but I've already made myself a solemn promise (I make myself a lot of solemn promises --and I stick to them!) to give some other patterns a chance to get out of the drawer.

I have made this pattern with long sleeves before and really liked it. I think this pattern runs a bit small side. I made an XL. This plum fabric is a cotton jersey, so its stretchier than some other knits, plus it seems to grow as you wear it. A regular large may have been okay in this fabric. Its got a bit too much hip room and the neck doesn't lie flat in back, so I shaved a bit off the hips and the shoulder seams for the next go. It is a lovely color and goes well with these pants.

The second version is an ITY knit. Well, three actually. I made this one for a sewing group challenge. I had only a small amount of the main fabric and used pieces from my scrap bin for the sleeves. I
think it fits much better.

(Just so you know, I do not save fabric scraps, except for knits. I have a crazy notion to make panties with them--once I'm through menopause!)

The third one is my favorite so far.  Its also an ITY, but a nicer quality than the previous fabric. This fabric was perfect, especially because it came from the free table! (The early bird gets the worm, Cynthia)

I wouldn't be wrong gushing too much about this pattern. It's really quick to make and takes less than a yard of fabric. First you sew a dart at the top of the sleeve, then you sew the shoulder and side seams. The neckline and sleeves are simply turned to the inside and stitched. Hem it and you're done. I have to say, I felt a bit guilty when I first bought my cover stitch machine, but it sure does make a top like this super easy and professional looking. You only need to use Steam-a-Seam if you like burning your fingers.

 I do still  have two more excellent fabric candidates in my hoard for this pattern, so you will be seeing at least two more.