kzjo'studio

The Ballard Top from Straight Stitch Designs

 

Somehow, I missed the testing call when it was first put out, but luckily I made it just in time to still be a tester for Kimberly's newest pattern, the Ballard from Straight Stitch Designs. The Ballard top turned out to be a lovely addition to my fall wardrobe. It really is business in the front and party in the back as you can see in the photos below.

After a quick trip to a local fabric store, where I scored some awesome burnout gray jersey that was on a remnant table, I pictured it making a fantastic Ballard. I was off and running. I cut a straight size 16 and began sewing the afternoon away.

This is seriously one quick sew and I ended up finishing it in that same afternoon. It's always a huge plus when I can come away with a finished garment in just a few hours. Some of my favorite details include the gathering at the neckline, the length, and the band on the bottom hem. Overall, this is a great pattern and would be a wonderful addition to your wardrobe.

The Ballard is easy to wear, the length is just right, and the band finishes on the sleeves and bottom hem are terrific. I can't wait to pair it with leggings and my knee high boots, too! 

I can already see making a few more to add into my ever growing handmade wardrobe.

Make sure you grab your copy of the Ballard from Straight Stitch Designs over on Indiesew!

Be sure to check out the rest of the pattern tour to see all the other amazing Ballard tops that these awesome ladies are rockin'!

I Sewed it, Now What!? Hemlock Tee from Grainline Studios

Happy Monday, everyone, it's raining around here which is making me completely happy! (Rainy days are totally my favorite!) Anyways, I made this Hemlock Tee from Grainline Studio (it's an awesome free pattern by the way) awhile ago, but I totally forgot to blog about it. And by awhile ago I mean last fall... whoops!

I love, love, love this shirt! After seeing it all over the web, I knew I had to make it! (side-note: I totally had a migraine and horrible allergy situation going on so sorry for my grumpy faces in the photos- it happens!)

It was a great pattern and I plan on adding a few more Hemlocks to my fall wardrobe!

Pros

• How easy the pattern came together
• How quick it was to make
• I used two different colors of a burnout knit and I love how that came together
• It was the perfect project to try my new coverstitch machine on!

Cons

• I think I would make it slightly longer, I like my tops on the longer side.

The Details

Size // One size fits all

Sleeve Length // 3/4 length

Hem // straight

Modifications // none

Fabric // Burnout knit in Purple and Gray from Joanns (similar found here and here)

Pattern // Hemlock Tee from Grainline Studio (free downloadable pdf)

 

I Sewed it, Now What!? Ravenna from Straight Stitch Designs

Today, I am sharing a lovely pattern from Straight Stitch Designs, the Ravenna! I was lucky enough to be chosen to test Kimberly's awesome women's wear pattern. I met Kimberly through the Pattern Workshop class (seriously, an awesome course!) and she had generously tested the Genavieve from me. I love the sense of community in sewing world, it's the best!

Anyways, I was super excited when I saw the technicals for this pattern and I immediately thought of some buffalo check flannel shirting that I had hoarded in my stash. This season I am all about plaid and the feeling of fall!

The top features a scoop neckline, the ruffle detail on the back, an exposed zipper, two different sleeve options, as well as two different hem options. I chose to make a muslin before cutting into my final fabric and once I made sure everything was good to go, I jumped right in.

Pros

• the length of this top is just right
• I also enjoy the scooped neckline in the back (and now I guess I need to work on evening out my tan!?)
• Love that is going to be perfect with leggings

Cons

• Really only one which is the I sort of wish I had made my back ruffles in a solid black or at least the bottom ruffle layer so that you could see them a little better.

The Details

Size // 14

Sleeve Length // 3/4 length

Hem // Hi-Low

Modifications // none

Fabric // Buffalo Check or Plaid Flannel Shirting (similar found here or here)

Pattern // Ravenna from Straight Stitch Designs (downloadable pdf)

 

Check out Kimberly's blog and grab your copy of the Ravenna in her shop!

I Sewed It, Now What!?

A few weeks ago I came across the Reversible Box Tote pattern from Very Shannon while catching up on my blog reading (she has an awesome blog and if you aren't following it, I really don't know why you aren't?!). It's a really awesome free pattern (Thanks, Shannon!) that I thought would be perfect for keeping stuff that I need to take from my house to my studio and vice-versa. I actually ended up making two of these at once (one was for my mom, lucky lady I know ;) ).

This is an awesome pattern and the instructions very clear along with clear illustrations. I made only one change to the pattern which was on the inside pocket. I measured 2" in from the left edge to and sewed a line to create a narrow pocket for holding pens. Overall, it was a really fast sew and I used up some more of my stash (always a plus). The only change that I would consider making would be adding some chipboard to the bottom of the bag to make the bottom a little bit sturdier since my bag will be doing a lot of traveling across town and back.

**As always, the views and opinions in this review are my own**