Tuesday, January 28, 2014

The Nessie Top by CINO and lace skirts that twirls - woohoo!

With a Winter Storm Threat (as the media calls it here in the South, ha) hanging over my head, I am writing this post to try to induce some spring feelings into the blogosphere.
And no matter if I succeed or not, you can't come and say this post isn't colorful, okay!

Jess from Craftiness is not Optional sent me her latest pattern The Nessie Top and told me I could blog about it whenever I wanted. I like non-deadline assignments like that - even though deadlines usually helps with the production speed, ahem (it is like mooonths ago she sent it to me! BUT so far I have been sewing 5 items from this pattern and today you are seeing the first two. Noooo, I don't want to spill al the beans in one post. 
By the way you know it is a good pattern when you immediately cuts another when you finished the first one and then just keeps on going.


The pattern is made for knits, has a great high-low hem (sorry, you have to wait for tomorrow's post to see that one), a front color block version (Wilma's in blue and dots is the original color block version and Evelyn's has an extra sleeve color block that I added), a Peter Pan color and three different sleeve lengths.
I have also made a version where I simply added 10 cm/ 4 inches to the length of a size 4T and it is the perfect tunic/dress for tights or leggings for Evelyn. You will also have to wait to see that one because Wilma requested one too, so I thought it would make most sense  to make that one too and show you both, riiiiiiight!
Patience patience! Yeah I know, life is hard, ha.



The pattern is super easy to work with and sew. The only thing I would change in this pattern, if I could, would be the seam allowance. It has 1 cm / 3/8 inches seam allowance and I use less when I just overlock it together like I do with all knits. But as long as you know (and Jess gives clear information about it - I know she prefers a different way to sew knits that uses the 1 cm / 3/8 inches) you can either cut the extra off the pattern before cutting or as I did simply counting on them being a big larger/looser than meant from the designer's side. And when I for example sewed the two color block front pieces together, I simply cut the extra seam allowance off with my serger (otherwise the front and back side seam would not end up having the same lengths, right!) So you just have to look at bit ahead in your sewing process if you are doing it that way. But because the whole process is so simple it is really not a big problem.



Another thing I would love to change, which is my own fault, was choosing some fairly loose almost rib-like knits and then not stabilize the shoulder seams. As you can see they are stretching and the sleeve seam is falling down over the shoulder. I did not even think about it until I saw these photos....oh, well 6th time is the charm, ha.


And then we have the skirts......
They are ultra simple gathered rectangles, sewn to a waistband and with an elastic in the waist. I ended up only putting an elastic in the top casing of the waistband which give a cute subtle color block effect.
I am obsessed with this tulle fabric with flower embroideries from Hancock Fabrics. I still have a yard of beige/nude left from my shopping spree. Maybe I need one myself? 
I purposely made them below knee-length....not quite sure why, but that was the vision I had for these skirts, and I like the result. 
And so does the girls!

Sooooo do you feel spring is a bit closer or are you buried in polar vortex ultra freezing temperatures and knee high snow?
Well, I did my best!

Thank you so much Jess for the pattern!!
You will all see much more from that pattern here on the blog.
Come back tomorrow for another top for Wilma and a more everyday styling.


Buy the Nessie Top HERE.

Thank you!


8 comments:

  1. So cute! Totally you. Love the colorblocking. The skirts are gorgeous.

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  2. So fun Mie! I can see you are excited for spring!

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  3. I'm always ready for spring! Love the colors and fun skirts. You should definitely make one for yourself.

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  4. Just what I needed on this cold winter day! Love the color combinations and those skirts- too cute as always. :)

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  5. Crazy adorable! La la loooovvvvvve the color combo's. And you are totally right, the skirts are awesome. I totally need to make these.

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  6. Cute, Mie - and those girls....adorable! I love color combos!

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  7. i always love seeing what your girls have on their feet just as much as their outfits. your one cool mom! those tops look great and the skirts too!

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  8. OMG! They look so cute and adorable (and super happy with the new outfits, yeah!)
    Love their shoes! Cool :)

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