Style Arc To The Rescue

Sometimes the thing I bought the fabric for turns out to be a bad idea

And then I need to think of something else.

The fabric in question is in the bucket under the bucket. Dyed the fabric and it still was a fail. A sad dull icky fail.

Pinterest used to be a good brain jogger, but it's so full of ads and repeats, there's no real deep dive. And Any Popular Internet Search Engine tends to have the same gamed results.

Thus, Style Arc.

A deep enough catalog of recognizable tech drawings and patterns similar to ones I own.

(there's a whole conversation about that I'm sure I had with myself about this over the years)

Now I cruise their patterns for ideas and use them for my own.

I have enough patterns.

I can kluge a feature onto one that already fits me.

I have a couple of sweater knits that need to be made up to keep me warm in this very cold and housebound spring

 This idea is for later

Haptic Lab Quilt That I Will Be Stitching Until I Die

The text and photos on this just blew up and so I am going to post this without text, like a silent movie.

They just added a very cool print at home feature that I wish I could have used for this

https://www.hapticlab.com/collections/diy-kits/products/printable-diy-quilt-constellation

 that you print on this

https://www.sulky.com/item/sulky-sticky-fabrisolvy-stabilizer-white-85-x-11-pkg-12-sheets

You print it out, stick it on, and it washes out when you are done stitching.

Because unpicking all that nonwoven stuff out of this handstitching is going to really suck.

Do you suck at handstitching like I do?

https://sublimestitching.com/pages/tutorials

https://closetcasepatterns.com/hand-sewing-tips-techniques/

Read the comments. Everyone has an opinion and a different learning style. In sewing, as in religion and other acts of faith, nobody is wrong, they just don't do it the way that works for you (science is different, thank you)

Life is short

Start now

The Woolpatch To The Rescue

I can't see the Great British Sewing Bee from America because iPlayer is UK only

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03myqj2

(and YouTube and Daily Motion are not having it)

but I can listen to these fine people talk about it.
https://www.thewoolpatch.com/

I know that Stuart is the owner (upper right) but I do not know who the other people are. They are all delightful and have pleasantly pointed (not vindictive or catty) opinions about the projects and the contestants. It's good fun.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcs9Lrf43zjg2IrwH1OTcw

I am delighted and happy to listen to other people discuss sewing I cannot see. I mean, it's podcasts about sewing. What's not to like?

The Best Free Clothing Pattern *GOAT

It takes less than a yard of fabric.

You can make out of woven or knit (drapier fabric is better with the long sleeve version).

It's a well balanced shape with great proportions.

ITS FREE

https://fancytigercrafts.com/collections/free-patterns/products/one-hour-top

photo from Fancy Tiger website

My latest version of it has a scooped hem, minimal cuffs and a smaller, bound neck opening.

I am prompted to mention this pattern again after seeing numerous PDF patterns for $10 and up that are no better and give no better instructions or results than this one.

NUMEROUS.

Any Tina, Trina or Augustina can publish a PDF pattern for a boxy top if they like.

But this one is really good.

A few variations on this.

This one (inside out to show seams) got a turtleneck added to it

The dart takes some of the bulk out of it in a heavier fabric.  You can add a cowl or a turtle or a v-neck. You could extend it into a tshirt dress. This thing rocks in a crepe. The Lady Elroy knit crepe will give you a top in a yard or less (the following  ones took 3/4 yard, and for an expensive piece of yardage, a great 'sew the precious' project.

Just squeaks by on 3/4" yd. Pieced cuffs and neck trim came from scraps at the top and the sides.

This is what I had left from the bike shirt

This crepe knit needs to dry flat and be reshaped like a sweater; I swear that hem was even when I made it.

I add Hug Snug for stay tape at the back of the neck and the shoulders to prevent it from stretching out

To avoid headlights, with this fabric, I marked the bust point on the pattern

You could buy the fabric from them to support this amazing freebie!

https://fancytigercrafts.com/collections/jersey-knits/products/leafy-tropics

https://fancytigercrafts.com/products/bridal-boquet

https://fancytigercrafts.com/collections/jersey-knits

I get nothing from these folks except this amazing pattern. And so can you.