The Pattern

The Seychelles pattern includes sizes 00 to 40 and cup sizes. It is a woven top sewing pattern that has narrow shoulders and roomy sleeves.

The neckline is a modest V that is finished with a facing.

The pattern has bust darts and a shaped body with two sleeve options – short sleeves with pleats on the top or a long sleeve that is gathered at the top and bottom. The long sleeve has a narrow cuff that has closes with a button. For this one, I did the short sleeve, and it has no gathering or buttons so it was a bit quicker.

The back is two pieces with a seam in the center, which is wonderful to avoid a poof at the top of your butt when wearing woven fabrics and makes sway back adjustments much easier.

I removed 1 inch from the lengthen/shorten line, graded in for waist and out for hips according to my measurements. I find that I am so much happier with the fit of my garments if I follow the size chart for each measurement and make the size that each correlates to.

I love when I learn new techniques or do a step that I have not done before in a pattern! On this one, the pleats at the top of the sleeve are basted in a way that was new to me, and it made them sit perfectly together. I was glad that I read carefully through the instructions on this part and trusted the process because it was so rewarding to get the pleats finished so perfectly!

Fabric

I used a swiss dot that was given to me by my sweet friend Aimee Wilson. She knows how much I love pinks and florals and gifted me this fabric. I had been waiting for just the right pattern for it! Isn’t she the sweetest!

I think a lot of different woven fabrics can be used on this pattern. Rayon, linen, gauze, voile, etc. I think the only woven fabrics I would not use would be quilting cotton (it will look like medical scrubs) or heavier weight fabric. I have already started on my second one using a silk crepe! I am about half way through sewing that one.

Styling

To tuck or not to tuck? I am a big fan of the half tuck and find myself often doing this with shirts. It gives me a longer leg line and helps to show that I have a waist. Since this fabric does not have a ton of drape, it really helps it not look so stiff.

Do you like it better untucked or with the half tuck?

This top feels light and romantic and summery so I paired it with shorts. The shorts I am wearing here are the Greenstyle Taylor shorts that I made a few years ago. This shorts fabric is a beast and wrinkles like crazy the second I move though! I think this top would also look really cute with a summery skirt.

I hope I have inspired you in today’s post!  I would love to stay connected with you. You can find me on Instagram. You can subscribe to my YouTube channel HERE. If you want to take a look into the things that inspire me, you can follow me on Pinterest. You may also follow my blog with Bloglovin.

Disclosures

I received this pattern for free as part of the pattern testing process. I received the fabric for free because I have a wonderful friend who thought of me and supported my sewing habit. Also, this post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small compensation when you purchase via my link. This does not cost you anything, and I genuinely appreciate your support. Any and all opinions expressed are still my own.

The Pattern

The Itch to Stitch Gothenburg pattern is a simple and elegant top pattern with a signature funnel neck, bust darts, and a high low hem. The pattern includes cup sizes A-DD and fits full busts ranging from 30 1/8 inches to 60 inches.

I made a size 0 with a B cup and graded for my waist and hips according to the measurement chart. I normally do not remove any length from Itch to Stitch tops, but I removed 1.75 inches from this one. Since I did not anticipate needing to adjust the length, I took it off of the bottom before hemming. I have since adjusted my pattern at the correct place so that I don’t lose the ease I need in my hips. I also removed length from my sleeve, but this is a more common adjustment for me.

In addition to adjusting for length, I also moved the bust dart up 1/2 an inch. To do this, I drew a rectangle around the dart and cut out that rectangle, then I moved my rectangle up exactly half an inch. Finally, I added paper to fill in the half inch gap I left underneath my dart and smoothed out the side seam in that area. Now, my dart hits right where it is supposed to and is much more flattering.

I also made sure to steam and press my dart really well so that it doesn’t look like I have bulls eyes on my chest.

Fabric

The Gothenburg is drafted for stable knit fabric with 25-35% stretch. Structured fabric such as ponte, micro fleece, quilted jersey, and scuba are recommended. I initially planned on using ponte or scuba, but when I felt the ones I had in my stash, they just had more of a jacket or pants feel, and not something I would want to wear close to my skin as a top.

So, I sifted through my other fabrics trying to imagine what would hold the funnel neck and give it structure while feeling cozy to wear. I landed upon the sweatshirt fleece I had recently bought from Made Whimsy for pullovers this winter and decided it was time that I cleared some of those out before the warm weather arrived.

I am really loving how this fabric worked on this pattern and think it was a great choice. The inside is so soft, warm, and brushed, and it was really stable and easy to sew with.

I think it is best to stick with fabrics with the stretch recommended in the pattern. If you use a fabric with more than 50% stretch, I imagine the garment will fit bigger than expected.

Sewing Experience, Styling, and Pattern Review

I handstitched in the ditch to secure the funnel neck of the pattern to the inside of the garment. I think it lays really nicely now that I took the time to secure it that way.

The funnel neck on the pattern is surprisingly easy to do and is so flattering on! I wore this with my hair up after photos with a big messy bun and big hoop earrings, and I thought it was pretty cute. (I also wore a pair of leggings too and will show you those as well in a few weeks!)

When I did my hem, I used wash away tape to secure it down while ironing it before I coverstitched it down. I always do this with curved hems otherwise it can get wrinkled in spots.

I was a pattern tester, and this was my first version of the pattern. Since the pattern did not need any adjustments requiring me to make another (besides my personal adjustments like ripping stitches on the dart and moving it up), it was a really quick and easy process for me. I still would love to make one again in my future (but may not get a chance until the fall since hot weather should be coming soon in Texas). I think the pattern was very professionally done, and I am happy with another solid winner in my closet!

Resources

• Itch to Stitch Gothenburg Pattern
• Sweatshirt Knit from Made Whimsy. I bought the light pink, but that color is now sold out.
• Wash Away Tape used for hemming

I hope I have inspired you in today’s post!  I would love to stay connected with you. You can find me on Instagram. You can subscribe to my YouTube channel HERE. If you want to take a look into the things that inspire me, you can follow me on Pinterest. You may also follow my blog with Bloglovin.

Disclosures

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small compensation when you purchase via my link. This does not cost you anything, and I genuinely appreciate the support. Any and all opinions expressed are still my own.

XO

Sharon

I had gotten so far along in the process when I first worked on this that I am baffled now as to why I gave up!! When I initially tried it on last fall, I thought it was too thick for our weather to wear around the house, and I also felt the sleeves were a little tight with the extra padding that the quilting gave it.

I think the problem actually was that I tried it on when it was over 70 degrees outside and felt hot. I am so glad I found this and finished it!!

Rolling black outs started in Texas on Valentine’s night, and at points when we had no power, it was single digits outside! Needless to say, when I woke up Monday morning, it was cold in my house. I was doing everything I could to wear layers and stay warm. I am so beyond thankful that we did not lose power all together like so many in our state did. We still got power here and there. Never for more than an hour at a time. It was really random, though, and I had to fight the fear that it would never come back when it was out.

I am ok with cold weather. I lived in Rhode Island for a year in my early twenties, and I absolutely loved it there. I knew about the art of layering. The difference here was that I did not have an indoor place to go and keep warm, and even if I did, the roads in Texas are terrifying when they are icy!

So, we waited to really play in the snow, take photos of it, and admire its beauty until our heat came back on, which took 3 days. Also, notice, in Texas we do not keep snow appropriate gear around. It is just so out of the ordinary to be this cold here. Since I do not have snow boots, I wore my rain boots to at least keep my feet dry, but even with three pairs of socks on, my toes were freezing once I came in!

Let’s get into what I sewed now!

Pattern Details – The Quilted Wrap Jacket

The pattern I used is the Taktsang by Itch to Stitch. This pattern is part of her book – Sew Beautiful, which released late last year. I sewed 2 garments from it when it initially released – the Palermo and the Orosi.

The Taktsang is a dolman wrap style jacket that is drafted for woven fabric and stable knits. It finishes at the high hip and has cropped sleeves.

I wanted my sleeve to be a bit longer, so instead of hemming, I added a cuff that finishes at one inch.

The fabric I used for my main is flannel. To do the quilting, I basted batting to the wrong side of the flannel main and basted quilting cotton to the other side of that, making a quilt sandwich. To baste, I use quilters glue so that it is essentially glued together until I wash. I then quilted each piece by drawing one inch lines going vertically with the grainline.

Since there is no shoulder seam and the arms are cut out along with the body, the quilting on the arms is more diagonal. I love the look! If I REALLY had some patience and free time, I would have been really extra and used thicker thread and hand quilted it.

The neckline of the jacket is finished with a facing. I tacked my facing down at multiple points by sewing back over my quilting.

I also started off strong and bound and topstitched my seams so they would be pretty. I did the back seam and shoulders, but then gave up on that idea for the side seams.

Sometimes done and being worn to keep warm is better than perfect.

I also made another adjustment to the pattern. Instead of doing a sash or belt to keep it wrapped, I chose to use ties. To make the ties, I cut a strip of scraps that was 1.5 inches wide and sewed it right sides together with a narrow seam allowance (a little less than 1/4 inch). Then, I turned them right side out and put one in the seam allowance of the front that wraps around and put the other in the side seam. I just eyeballed where I wanted them when trying on.

I think if I take the plunge to make another quilted jacket I will start with a pattern intended for it. I did have to take a smaller seam allowance through the arms to accommodate the thicker fabric. 

The Sew Beautiful book can be purchased as an Ebook (which includes pdf patterns) or as a physical book (which includes paper patterns). If you buy the physical book, you do not get the pdf patterns. The e-book is a pretty great deal for those (like me!) who prefer to sew with pdf patterns over paper patterns. 

Pattern Details – The Merlo Field Tee 

I have a few pattern companies that every time I sew one of their patterns, I immediately want to buy all of them because they fit me so well without adjustments. One of those companies is Sew House Seven. I have made their Toaster sweaters many years ago and then last year made their Free Range Slacks. I have worn my Free Range Slacks so many times and love them so much! So, this past Black Friday, I made a point to purchase a few more of their patterns that I did not yet own. The first one I got to sew up is the Merlo Field Tee. 

This dolman style top is drafted for knits with nice drape and has a fun stripe at the top of the sleeve. The pattern includes short, 3/4, and long sleeved options as well as a boat or crew neckline.

I chose to do a long sleeved crew neck top for my first version.

The only adjustment I made was to take 1 inch out of my sleeves. It is typical for sleeves to be a little long on me. I did not adjust anything else!

This pattern came together really quickly and makes a great t shirt, especially for scraps. I plan to make several more if I get the chance. 

I initially wondered when I got the pattern if it would be nice for a more structured knit like cotton lycra, and I am glad I paid attention to the description that said to use drapy knits. It has a lot of ease in the body. So, I think it is gorgeous in a knit with a soft hand. This one is one I got in a local destash so I am not entirely sure of its content. It feels like a t shirt jersey and has either polyester and spandex and maybe a small percentage of rayon.  If you prefer natural fabrics, I would look for bamboo and/or hemp spandex. 

I hope I have inspired you in today’s post!  I would love to stay connected with you. You can find me on Instagram. You can subscribe to my YouTube channel HERE. If you want to take a look into the things that inspire me, you can follow me on Pinterest. You may also follow my blog with Bloglovin.

Resources

• Itch to Stitch Sew Beautiful Book
• Mustard Flannel – Moda Primitive Gatherings Brushed Cotton in Honey
• Sew House Seven Merlo Field Tee

Disclosures

This post does not include affiliate links. I do not profit if you purchase anything from the links in this post. I did receive the Sew Beautiful book for free last fall but am under no obligation to promote it past sewing one pattern in it. I just fell in love with it and keep making them! 

Of course, I got some pics of the kids enjoying the snow!