So, Erin and I have been making an effort recently to sew from our stash. Mind you, her stash is just a bit larger than mine, due to having a couple years on me in the sewing world, but I have been sewing from my small stash just the same. One cut of fabric had been bothering me for a while: this beautiful olive green tencel twill. So lightweight, drapey (technical term), and soft. I had originally bought one yard of it for a button down shirt almost a year ago. I decided that the fabric was too good to be made into something that I wasn’t going to wear, and so it sat.
Now with my Kibbe (more info in my last post) at the forefront of my mind, I was determined to find a Romantic Kibbe-approved pattern for it. With Erin’s guidance, I chose the Calvin Wrap Dress/Top pattern by True Bias. This pattern followed the cardinal rule of Romantic Kibbe, which is waist emphasis. Not only that, I was able to get the entire shirt out of just my yard of fabric. I would have used more if I actually made my bias tape instead of buying it. Honestly though, this was only my second time using bias tape and I really wanted to focus on the application and not about the making of it. So I went to Joann’s, bought some matching bias tape and thread and I was on my merry way.
As I’ve said, this was only my second time doing bias binding. That being said, this pattern had such great instructions and was such a breeze. I make a point to not pressure myself into finishing a project in one day, but I couldn’t not finish this straight through. The instructions made the bias binding take really not time at all and I would say that it was even fun. Watching myself bring this garment to life was beyond rewarding. This pattern really had me enjoying the journey, and not just the destination. Although I will say, I did make one mistake. I made the mistake of not reading the first couple of steps thoroughly and completely forgot to attached the rest of the ties to each other. I found myself looking at the end of the pattern going “Wait, where are the rest of the ties?”. So I seam ripped and I fixed it, not a big deal.
The other thing that I was really excited about was the adjustable straps. I was really nervous about them at first, but they were honestly so easy, look beautiful, and are incredibly helpful. I couldn’t believe that I had ever been irritated by the addition of these straps, because I normally have trouble with straps being too long. Of course, the adjustable sliders literally solved any problem I would have had.
My praise for this pattern doesn’t stop with the construction. I wore this shirt all day the next day and boy did I feel like hot s***. I took every chance to look into a mirror or ask my boyfriend about how cute this shirt is! I was fully comfortable and cute in this shirt all day long. I truly believe that this is one of, if not my most, rewarding garments that I have sewn. Seeing as I have already bought fabric for a dress version, I see many of these in my future.
