Category Archives: Tops and shirts

Knit crossover top from Lekala patterns

  By Deby Coles | May 7, 2013 - 6:00 am | , , , ,
13 Comments

Has anyone out there ever bought a pattern from Lekala patterns?  Nicole Lekala has a range of 386 patterns on her Craftsy page at the time of writing and is often adding more.  But what makes Lekala patterns unique is the promise to draft you a completely personalised pattern based on your own measurements.  This was too good an offer to pass up on so I thought I would give it a try. I picked this pattern to try out - obviously because it was free so there was nothing to lose!  Its a cross-over front top with long sleeves designed for … Continue reading →

Free sewing pattern – Summer Drape Top

  By Deby Coles | May 1, 2013 - 11:00 pm | , , , , ,
45 Comments

The latest release in my range of free sewing patterns and tutorials – the Summer Drape Top.   Designed for softly draping knit fabrics, this blouse is easy to make, flattering, cool and strappy, with tummy covering draping and a rounded hemline in the front.  And I’ve made it with wide enough straps that you should be able to wear a bra with only minimal straps peaking through at the back.  Or don’t wear a bra and let it all hang out this summer! The Summer Drape Top comes in a one-size fits most design.  The pattern is free to download and can … Continue reading →

V-neck T-shirt and A-line Skirt

  By Deby Coles | March 18, 2013 - 2:00 pm | , , , ,
26 Comments

What is it with the use of the alphabet to describe clothing shapes?  It was only when I was thinking of a title for this post that I realised what I had made. A V-neck T-shirt and an A-line Skirt.  I just suddenly thought that was really funny!  Anyway, moving on… You may have recently seen my scoop neck t-shirts.  Love these so much, great casual t-shirts for everyday where.  The next item in my Sewing With Knits course is the V-neck T-shirt.  The neckline is a little more tricky to sew because to make it look good, you have to line … Continue reading →

Perfect Fit Sew It Yourself T-Shirts

  By Deby Coles | February 21, 2013 - 4:03 am | , , ,
34 Comments

So happy!  My Sewing with Knits course is really paying off.  Following the success of my first trial scoop neck t-shirt, I bought some simple cotton jersey in black and white and sewed another couple of simple scoop neck t-shirts.  They are EXACTLY as I want them.  I prefer my t-shirts quite fitted and don’t want them too long so they finish at my widest part.  And the neckline isn’t too high, but isn’t too low to be revealing either.  Just right. And with the pattern and the tips from the course, the necklines are so easy and sit nice … Continue reading →

Scoop neck t-shirt

  By Deby Coles | February 16, 2013 - 5:00 am | , , , ,
25 Comments

Another lesson and another garment completed in the Sewing With Knits course.  This time the scoop neck t-shirt. Again my fabric shop only had a limited choice in knit fabrics, so I got this rather dubious piece of green lycra knit from the remnants bin for a few dollars.  Enough for a t-shirt and a skirt so this was ideal for making my first test t-shirt.  Remembering how my sewing machine ate the fabric on this Cowl Neck Knit Dress, I wasn’t too confident about using any ‘good’ material for my first try – and of course I needed to … Continue reading →

Fleece hoodie ! Why?

  By Deby Coles | February 11, 2013 - 6:56 am | , , , , ,
20 Comments

Did you remember that I live in the Caribbean?  Even in the winter the temperatures are well into the 80′s.  Well then, why on earth do I need a fleece hoodie?  To be fair, I don’t really NEED one, but following the problems I had with the fabric on my Cowl Dress, I just started a new course at Craftsy – Sewing with Knits . It promises to teach us how to successfully sew with knit fabrics and includes free patterns for the hoodie, scoop neck t-shirt, v-neck t-shirt, short skirt, yoga pants, shorts and a dress.   The fleece … Continue reading →