Sewing Pattern Review: Winter Wear Design's Crossover Series Starting Point Tank

The Starting Point Tank is part of Winter Wear Designs' newest collection.

To date, it includes the Starting Point Tank and Crossroads Sweater - both year round wears.

The Starting Point Tank is a fitted tank top with several features:
- Bands or Bindings for the neck and armhole finishings
- Scoop Neck or Deep Scoop Neck options
- Petite and Regular Length Cut Lines

It is a "slim fitting" tank - but has enough ease that it's not showing every lump and bump.

 As you can see from the front view, it makes me look like a fashion star (or just silly - it was -20 Celsius outside during this photo shoot!) You wouldn't tell that I have a few little bumps and lumps. .

 The pattern is designed for an hour glass shape - which is perfect for me! 

During testing, it looked great on all the ladies once their sizing was perfected.

I graded from an 8 bust to 12 waist/hips.  It lays just at my hips and doesn't ride up - even while working out.

 Construction is easy to follow and you can make it in half the time as a load of wash takes.  Who needs clean clothes when they have a sewing machine??

The recommended fabrics are lightweight knits with 30% stretch or more - if you use a medium or heavy weight stretch, your top will look boxy and cling oddly. 

I opted for a slub Jersey fabric from Water Tower Textiles and Cotton Lycra scraps for the bands. The jersey is a 2-way stretch lightweight fabric - kind of like lightweight t-shirt fabric.  It feels soft and comfortable, and is a great fit for this tank pattern. 

 I decided to layer the tank with the new Crossroads Sweater - it's a different take on a cross-over top, and includes:

- Short or Long Sleeves
- Bottom Band or No Band
- Short or Long Length

I grade from Small to Large on this top, and definitely recommend basting the sides before using your knit stitch in order to ensure the cross over fits your body properly.  I did a bit of tweaking for the right fit!  

I used a Melange Sweater Knit from Water Tower Textiles (and the same Jersey Slub fabric as the tank) for a nice complimentary look. 

....and I still have the tendency to order 1 metre of fabric so I can have a variety, hence most of my clothing ends up with multiple types/colours of fabrics instead of a solid colour/pattern.

Again - a nice light to medium sweater knit is perfect for this pattern - and with the sleeve options, can be worn year round!

Overall, I'm happy with these patterns to help me layer year round - I'm always cold, and tanks and tops with some sort of collar help keep me warm. 

Being easy sews also helps make these great patterns to try your sewing skills on!

Grab Both Patterns in a super savings Bundle!

***Affiliate Links Above used - I love these patterns, and without the help of those who love their patterns, marketing would be extremely difficult for the pattern makers we love and learn to love. Affiliate links help with the hours, fabric, and tears that go behind testing each pattern in order to provide a real-person view on the patterns for you (and me!) 

I'm too Sexy For My Fashionista Jacket - New Winter Wear Designs Fashionista Jean Jacket Pattern!

Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak. 

The new Winter Wear Designs Fashionista Jacket scream, "I'm fashionably awesome!"

 


It is a fabulous way to sew up your denim or twill fabrics, and gives a totally va-voom vibe to the traditional jean jacket. 

Options include:
- Large or small pockets (or both...or none!)
- Detailed cuffs and scoop neckline
- Natural waist line length (perfect for layering)
- Use buttons, snaps, or shank jean buttons for closures

 

I used a really light silver twill fabric from the suiting department of Fabricland that was waiting for the perfect pattern.  The Fashionista seemed to be calling its name when I opened up my outerwear fabric drawer. 

And what's more fashionable than shiny and sparkly?  Besides sequins and glitter, this definitely stands out from the crowd in that pizzazz kind of way. 

 


I made mine with the smaller pocket, and it's perfect for my lip gloss, chilly hands, or keys - without looking bulky. 

The back has a lovely yoke, and throughout the pattern, all the seams are top stitched twice, giving it a professional look and stylish feel. 

It may take a bit more time than just regular seams, but it really does make the difference between a basic pattern and one that stands out from the crowd and makes people go, "Wow!"  

The armcycle is comfortable, and the arms are big enough that you can wear a light long sleeed shirt or sweater underneath without feeling tightness (an issue I tend to have due to my Hulk Rage arms). 

 


I paired mine with my Cross Hem Tee, and it's the perfect match whether my shirt is tucked in or out.  (And the Cross Hem is free with code from the WWD Facebook Group!)

You won't regret the sewing skills you will learn or hone in with the Fashionista (and other Winter Wear Designs Patterns). 

Be too sexy for your current fall jacket, and sew up the Fashionista today!  

***Affiliate Links Above used - I love these patterns, and without the help of those who love their patterns, marketing would be extremely difficult for the pattern makers we love and learn to love. Affiliate links help with the hours, fabric, and tears that go behind testing each pattern in order to provide a real-person view on the patterns for you (and me!) 

All The Tank Top Sewing Patterns - Which to Choose?

Summer is coming and it's time to bring out your summer gear, and create new stylish attire to beat the heat!

Today we're looking at my favourite tank top patterns - and they're all different styles depending on your mood and shape.

5 out of 4's Escapade Tankini

5oo4 Escapade Tankini with Diane Joggers

5oo4 Escapade Tankini with retrofitted cheapo Tardis Leggings - one of my final store-bought purchases before I started sewing my Wardrobe - I had to add 4" on either side to fit into these leggings!

5oo4 Escapade Tankini with Rebecca Page Pippa Pants

The Escapade Top is definitely boobalicious, and I made mine with the built in bra cups, so no extra bra required!  So needless to say, Husband REALLY likes this tank top.

I love how it feels on top, and that it's nice and forgiving on the bottom with a more relaxed feel (aka you can eat, and your abdomen is fashionably hidden).

I have a constantly sore neck and shoulders, so generally avoid criss cross backs, but the Escapade is comfy and the straps are placed well - no pain while wearing my Escapade!


More on the Escapade here

Bella Sunshine Designs Amelia Top - Sleeveless

The Amelia comes in top to maxi dress length - sleeveless to full sleeved versions.

For the summer, it's nice to have a breathable top without sleeves.

This is another winner with Husband - due to the cross over boobalicious front.

A bit more challenging to create with lining in the bodice, but worth the time and effort. 

The cute skirt gives it a girly and fun feel - and can be knit or woven - so use up those flowy wovens with a stellar knit for a summery feel!

More on Amelia Here

New Horizons Marbella Tank Top

The Marbella Tank - It's kind of girly, and lets me use fabric that I may not have enough for an entire anything for. You can use the same fabric for front and back, or be silly like me, and be serious on the front and have a cute sassy pattern for the back piece.

The top of the back piece is what sets this tank top apart with its options:
- Plain back
- Racerback Lace Back
- Open Normal Lace Back
- Regular Lace Back

I prefer the Open Normal and Regular Lace Back, as Racer Backs and my neck aren't normally friends.

It is an easy sew, and a great way to showcase some sass in my wardrobe.

If you have an open back top, this tank top is the perfect complimentary layering piece!

George + Ginger Bonnaroo Tank

I loved the Bonnaroo from the moment Kristi released the pattern.

But, the fabric budget I put myself on, and the need to use every scrap of fabric for as many clothing articles as possible, my Bonnaroo's are pieced together Crystal style.

My first (the blue and white striped) is actually an oversized (on purpose) Walmart night shirt or t-shirt (not sure which) paired with some fun camping fabric at the back. 

The back panel is totally free style colour blocking, and that's what I do.

The second top is just colour blocked cotton lycra (light and medium weight) - I love how it is a more relaxed fit.

Now, I made the straps as per pattern instructions, but honestly, they were big and bulky no matter which fabric I used, so out came my seam ripper.  I changed it up on both tops with lace. Ribbon would work too. It makes me feel girly.

Halla's Stardust Tank

This was my first me-made tank top - and it's amazing! 

I used some funky Cotton Lycra and lightweight Spandex for both versions - and the star was MUCH easier to make than anticipated.  There are also starless options with either side panels or no panels at all.

I added a Hood from the Hey Babie Top pattern to my Mario Version from an old Mario Toadstool t-shirt of Husbands - it's awesome.

I love the way it fits - but the star makes me feel like a Super Hero!

It has been upgraded since I sewed my last one, so I'm going to have to add in the tank with the side panel and POCKET - I'm a sucker for pockets.

New Horizons Key West Tank

The Key West Tank is a cute and easy tank top sew.


I love the flare at the bottom - it's flattering for my body shape, and goes well with my Pierside Pencil Skirt (also New Horizons).

There are two back options - standard or racerback - both of mine are standard. 

Rebecca Page's Monte Carlo Tunic

Trusting in Rebecca's sizing, I cut into my custom made Spoonflower Rhodesian Ridgeback dri-fit fabric for the Monte Carlo Tunic.

Whew!

It has lovely detailing - like a shirred (or elastic) back casing that is SUPER comfortable, and the reason that this tank can be made from either knit OR cotton fabric!

The straps can be thick (like mine) or thin, straight or criss crossed, there's even an option to add a ruffle.  It goes from tunic to maxi length.

Mine is SO comfortable and definitely not my last.

Winter Wear Designs Trendy Tank

Another colour blocked success, the Trendy Tank is another quick and easy sew - and includes the scary V-Neck! 

The neckline was actually easy to sew with Susanne's directions, and turned out perfectly without requiring my seam ripper.

I like the flare at the bottom and the relaxed look.

Winter Wear Designs La Croix Tank Top

This top comes in tank to long sleeved versions, and I LOVE the drape and side ruching.

It's loose fitting and can easily be made for workout wear, the office, or a sultry date night.

It takes a bit longer than a plain tank to create, but the end results are sassy. 

I used Cotton Lycra for the unicorn fabric, and lightweight sweater knit for the maroon solid portion - they seem to mesh well together.

George + Ginger's Super Sleeve Top

So you can see the trend of colour blocking here...this isn't included in any of the above tops noted. I just add 5/8" extra fabric to what will be the joined seams for the panels, top stitch, and follow the remaining directions normally.

This was a failed Super Sleeve Top. I used the flutter sleeves as it was the only amount of fabric I had left after I'd already cut into the bodice portion of the fox fabric.

The medium weight Cotton Lycra + Flutter Sleeves = Epic Fail and looked awful.

So off came the arms, I guesstimated the amount of binding I required to make arm bands, and hoped that there was no gaping on the armcycle.

And hey, it worked!  The Super Sleeve Top makes a great tank top - who would of known??

As a tank top, it's  simple quick sew - nothing special.

But not all tops have an armcycle that allows for a tank top, so I was fortunate!

That's it for some of my tank top patterns - now go out and sew up some fun tanks for yourself. 

Which is your favourite?

Me Made May Day 18: Winter Wear Designs Provence Pea Coat & Cross Hem Tee!

Last night I had a slight "head clamp" migraine going on, but had to run an errand for a friend at around 8:30 pm.

Top that with a broken sleep and having Indian food for dinner, I was tired. 

Gas was going up over night. I knew it. I should of sucked up my fatigue and just stopped for gas at a "low" 125.9 per Litre. 

Nope. I figured when I woke up at 5:15 am, that I'd beat the increase.

Nope. Less than 7 hours after the last Gas Buddy App update, the prices were wrong everywhere, and it skyrocketed to 139.4 per Litre!  14 cents for the exact same gas. 

Glad to make the rich oil companies richer.  

If only people got as angry at the oil companies as they do insurance companies, the government would be forced to take a tax cut to help. Insurance gives you at least 30-60 days notice of premium increases that occur once a year unless you make policy changes.  Gas prices seem to change 4 times a DAY! 

At least I may not be driving anywhere until Sunday. Hoping that the prices go down or I'm only putting $20 in. I feel like I'm 23 years old again putting $20 in at a time *sigh*. 

Anyhow, at least I looked stylish, and compromised by grabbing my first Tim Horton's coffee in almost 2 months.  

How Canadian of me, eh?

My jeans are store bought (given to me by a friend). I have the Real Deal Jeans pattern cut out, but haven't had the chance to make them yet *sigh* eventually!

Winter Wear Designs Provence Pea Coat

I made this coat in the fall/early winter, and it used a lot less fabric than I anticipated, thanks to my creative cutting, and lots of pattern pieces. 

Lots of pieces may intimidate some, but to me, it means I can use less fabric by cutting into every single nook and cranny possible. 

I made this with a silver/grey and white coating twill for the exterior, and the interior is a lovely star stretch fleece fabric (which I also used for my 5 out of 4 Aspen Vest that I wear to camp every weekend!). 

With the stretch, it does bunch the bottom up a bit, but it gives it a puffy look - that's what I'm going with. 

My waist also shrunk, so I freestyled and made the belt a few weeks ago so it hugged my curves better. It's a bit long, but I like it. And used up the remainder of the twill fabric to do so. 

People don't believe I made this coat. 

(and it has a HOOD and POCKETS!)

Winter Wear Designs Cross Hem Tee

This is one of my first Winter Wear Designs patterns that I actually made.  

I had it cut out and in my to-sew pile since the Summer. 

Yeah, I know. 

I used a flowy cotton lycra (?) with a touch of an old favourite velvet skirt that I will never squeeze into ever again.  

They paired up perfectly. 

I successfully sewed my first v-neck, and cross hem, and Winter Wear Designs pattern. 

And LOVE it!  

It's flattering and the sizing is on par. It hugs my curves without being tight. 

Must make time to create more Cross hems! 

(pssst - Join the Winter Wear Designs FB Group to get the Cross Hem Tee FREE coupon code!!)

It's Gonna be May! Days 1 & 2

There's a weird thing going on in the PDF sewing world - #MMMay2018 - Me Made May - to encourage us to:


- Start integrating not-as-often worn self-made clothes into our regular rotation


- Creating new garments to mix and match with older garments


- Figure out what we are missing from our wardrobes


- Finish off any unfinished projects


- Just be awesome!


Sign up here as a pledge to yourself!

Justin is joining us all month long...because I giggle everytime I think, "It's Gonna Be May"

I've started May off with a few outfits of lesser worn and newer clothes.


May 1st included
- The Open Back Pullover by Greenstyle Creations - with hoodie and open back options


- The Trendy Tank by Winter Wear Designs (my new crush designer!) - I colour blocked the top and bottom portions as I lacked full lengths of fabric for a full top or back as part of no-buying-fabric April.


- Not me-made Tardis joggers


I actually lack me-made joggers as I still have 3 pairs that aren't worn out and that I like. Weird liking store-bought clothes these days!  Next fall I'll be in the running for new joggers...although I do not some quick drying joggers for camp...hmmmm.

May 2nd included:


- The Apple Cardigan by Bella Sunshine Designs - I opted for the long version and it's super comfy and perfect for spring and summer evenings in this light cotton lycra fabric.


- The Bonnaroo Tank Top by George + Ginger Patterns - again, another mash up due to lack of fabric - with lace ribbon bows vs the sewn version of bows in the patterns - these are easier and I was lazy


- Not-Me-Made Lululemon pants that are going on 4 years strong. Actually my Pippa Pants by Rebecca Page Patterns are very similar. I love my Pippas too






I must be thinking of Justin in this picture. I blame the top.


So get ready for daily May pics!


See what's coming out of the closet!

Sewing Pattern Review: Winter Wear Designs Outer Banks Boat Neck Tee and Tunic

I've wanted to pattern test for Suzanne from Winter Wear Designs for eons now, and finally had the opportunity to quickly sew up the long sleeved version of the newly released Outer Banks Boat Neck Tee and Tunic! 

I responded to a request Wednesday morning, and by mid afternoon te sameday, I had the top sewed up with proper photographs for a last minute pattern addition! 

So not a true pattern test, it let me email back and forth qith Suzanne, and she seems quite friendly and down to earth - like her Winter Wear Designs patterns.

It's a semi-loose fit knit top that offers several options:
- Boat neck with 3 different finishes - Suzanne will guide you through to get you the perfect flat fit!

- Sleeves: short, 3/4, long, or 3/4 length bishop sleeves (so pretty!)

- Top or tunic length (with RUCHING option!)

It's a great Wardrobe builder top, and can be as fancy or casual as your fabric allows. 

I opted for a medium weight C/L trailer pattern and lightweight C/L Royal Blue for the perfect mashup.

I love the ruching, and it is always my go to (along with pockets, hoods, and thumbhole cuffs), hence why the pattern instantly grabbed my attention.

The boatneck instructions were detailed for all levels of sewing, and led to a flat lay and an awesome new neckline sewing skill checked off on my skills list.

And for $5, you can't really go wrong with this pattern! 

I look forward to adding some thumbhole cuffs and doing a bit more colour blocking to sew up some of my odd width fabric scraps to my next boatneck tops!

Sew On!