Just Do It: Cut into That Fabric!

Love this Sweater Knit

That Favorite Fabric....we all have some.

We can envision so many things to make with it.....too many. We get afraid to cut into that fabric for fear we haven't made the best use of it. We decide and then second guess ourselves....

How can one decide which item to use it on?

One piece of advice I got was to think which item will get the most use.  Good advice I thought.

Another thing to consider may be which item will fill that 'hole' in your wardrobe.

This is the fabric I was struggling to decide about, a Diamond Textured Sweater Knit Fabric.....I Adore it!


 

 

My Paro Cardigan

Recently, I made this Paro Cardigan and have been wearing it every where!

You know how it is when you Love something you made...the idea comes that another one in a different color would be double the fun....

So, this was one choice for the Diamond Sweater Knit...

The other choice was a pattern I had not sewn yet.  How could I decide which one?

Well, I took the fabric to my closet and held it up to a few items. One combination really popped that made my decision easy.

I have a Pink Seville Skirt,  and only seem to have Black tops to wear with it in the cooler weather.  This Grey Sweater Knit looked great with it.





I decided to go with the Bellavista Top .

It has a Swing Bodice with a center front panel.  Two neckline options--cowl neck and scoop neck with neckband,  and two sleeve options--long sleeve and three-quarter bell sleeve.

Line Drawing of the Bellavista

 The Big Beautiful Cowl was the one for Me...and Bell Sleeve!

My decision made I quickly Cut into That Fabric so there was no turning back, no second guessing again.  Done...Finito...

It came together so quickly too...instant satisfaction almost!

Here it is....isn't it Adorable.....I love it!

Bellavista with my Pink Seville Skirt

Back View

Looks Great with Jeans too!

Back View

Sometimes we cause our own frustration and anxiety......
Making a decision and then following through on it puts an end to all that!
After all, there will always be more fabric to sew.....

So Just Do It: Cut into That Fabric!

Happy Sewing......


 

Enjoy the Sewing Journey, Not Just the Destination

The Hong Kong seam finish inside my Hvar Jacket

Have you ever had your eye on a certain sewing pattern or sewing technique but were hesitant to try
it?

Sometimes we can talk ourselves out of trying something new because it is out of our comfort zone.  Perhaps we think it will take too much time and energy to learn a new interesting sewing technique.  Or we just don't want to have to do the fitting adjustments on a new pattern.

Whatever the reason, at times it is good to push ourselves to try something new!  It makes sewing more enjoyable and satisfying.  It reminds one that it is the Journey, not just the Destination that matters.

I have had my eye on the  Hvar Jacket by Itch to Stitch for awhile.  And the suggested Hong Kong seam finish looked beautiful.

The Hvar is not your average ho hum jacket!

Line Drawing of Hvar Jacket

Firstly, it has a beautiful waterfall collar.

Then there is the pointed front hem.

Lastly the shaping of this jacket, with back fisheye dart and front bust dart makes it extrememly flattering to the wearer.

Basletweave Texture Wool Fabric

The push I needed to get sewing this was coming across the Perfect Fabric for it!

The Hvar Jacket needs to be made in a fabric with great drape.

My fabric is a Gorgeous Wool Blend.

There is a Basketweave Texture on the right side of the fabric.

Hong Kong seam finish

Since this is an unlined jacket the inside seams are visible.  So a beautiful seam finish is a great idea.

The Hong Kong seam finish is an option given in the pattern.

Here is a close up of it in my Hvar Jacket.

The Hong Kong seam finish is not hard to do, it just is a bit time consuming.  This is the perfect pattern to try it out on though, as there are only 4 pattern pieces, therefore few seams.


This seam finish itself raises the Hvar Jacket to High End Fashion!

It is basically wrapping the seam edge with bias tape.  Complete how to instructions can be found here: https://itch-to-stitch.com/hong-kong-seam-finish-part-1/

I chose to make my own bias tape as well so it would coordinate nicely with my fabric.

If a thicker fabric like mine is used, I suggest sewing with a Mircotex Needle like I did.  It makes the extra bulk in places easier to sew through.

It was a true pleasure sewing this jacket!  My fabric was a dream to work with.  The pattern pieces fit together easily. The Hong Kong seam finish worked out great.

Altogether things added up to a Lovely Sewing Journey and a Stunning End Destination...

Love the Waterfall Front!

Back Fisheye Darts add Flattering Shaping

Love my Hvar Jacket

Hope this Inspires You to try a new pattern or technique as well. 

Happy Sewing...Enjoy the Journey.....