Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Skipper Top

I have kinda kept my distance from knits over the years except for a few projects.

While we don't love each other, we can tolerate each other. I have had few yards burning a hole in my stash for the past year and I figured it was time to use them up for something! When I came across the "Skipper Top Pattern" by the talented SEWMUCHADO, I knew it was the perfect way to use up my cute knits.
 
 

  Emmie has her own kind of style when it comes to clothes and she doesn't have too many of her own things because she wears a lot of hand me downs from her big sister Hannah.  This pattern seemed to fit her style well and I could customize it (color, pattern, pocket choice) to fit her funkiness, and her tall self!

I was nervous at first to get out my ballpoint needle. Knit fabric can be so wiggly, depending on the type you buy. I would highly recommend a light to medium weight fabric for this top. I got this cute dotted knit from GIRLCHARLEE over a year ago. They have a really great selection and I would say their prices are great! - You can even get half yard cuts from them, and that was about all I needed for this little top! Go there if you need knits. I find that Joann's and Hobby Lobby, don't have that great of a selection, and I don't think the quality is as great as GirlCharlee.

 

This pattern was totally great, there are lots of helpful hints on how to sew knits, and lots of options to style the top in your own way. You might think, hey this is just a shirt, but really it is a blank canvas, and a way to really express your childs style. You can change up the pocket, the fabric, you can use a solid or a print,.... the possibilities are endless... oh and did I mention the sizing goes up to size 10! Crazy awesome. To personalize Emmaline's top I added a cute chevron heart and I also used a contrasting band of stretch lace around the bottom of the top. You can't see it too well in this picture but a little further down you can see the band is hot pink. I love it!


Now if I could just get my little bit to stand still and model without, oh woops, where in the heck did she get that lucky charm cereal bar?


We had an impromptu photo session in my loft office and she found my stash. Oh well!


Hope everyone has a great week!

PS- A little tip I sometimes use when figuring out what size to cut for my kid on a pattern. I normally don't prewash my fabric.... why you say? Because I am lazy, have a full time job, have 2 kids.... blah, blah, blah? NO...... because I don't think it makes that much of a difference AND it makes the fabric in my eyes harder to work with once it is washed.... So I know I am a rebel but I size up, sew, try on and then wash after it is worn once. It works for me and usually the fit is fine and there is room to grow!
Call me CRAZY but it works for me! Do what works for you, but I typically go a size up from what my child is currently wearing. I am a BIG fan of clothes that last longer. Emmie is a size 18-24 months, but I made this in a 2t, and right now it looks like a tunic but will be perfect for fall/winter layered with a jean jacket or cardigan.

 

It came out so cute!

XOXO-
Lauren
 

3 comments:

  1. Adorable Lauren! I love the polka dots!

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  2. Thank you!!!!! Your pattern is awesome! Thanks for stopping by! ;)

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  3. You are so crazy, such a rebel not by not pre-washing your fabric. ;) This is so cute! And I agree about sizing up so it can be worn for longer!

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