This is my second year participating in the Sew Americana Blog tour by Wild & Wanderful, and it is a fun mid-summer prompt to get something sewn up for the 4th of July. I was hoping that I would have more time to sew and get something made, but my free time has really been at a premium lately.
Luckily, I was able to use a dress I made in May, but had not blogged. The sweater was a quick evening sew, too. Got it done in the nick of time!
Sly Fox Fabrics was a fabric sponsor for the tour, and I took her up on the offer. I ended up getting a white sweater knit from her Americana Collection.
This outfit is so super comfy. The dress is bamboo lycra, and with the soft open weave sweater, it is a good outfit to wear just chillin’ on the deck and drinking wine.
Ah…the joys of summer we don’t have time to do anymore because our kids play travel ball. 😉
I decided to make the light-weight sweater knit into a kimono style.
As a base pattern, I used the Norma Jean Kimono Robe (affiliate link) by Wardrobe by Me, but decided to attach the arms in one cut with the body. I couldn’t get the full length out of the arms due to the width of the fabric, plus I reduced the overlap on the front. I edged all the seams in bamboo lycra. I just really didn’t want to deal with hemming the sweater knit.
This was a loose weave, so I really tried to keep the pulling to a minimum. It still pulled a bit on the front band that I drafted, but oh well. I made sure to interface one side of the band around the neck and down the front. If I hadn’t, then there would have been a lot of pulling and wavy seams.
The teal blue dress underneath is made from bamboo lycra and is from my own pattern. I made a grey one last summer out of jersey spandex knit, and I love wearing it. It is suuuuper comfy. Like wearing pajamas.
I have plans to turn this dress/top into a digital pattern. I was hoping to get it done by the time this tour came about but…no time. Maybe by the end of summer I will get on it.
Now, make sure to visit the rest of the tour to see some fun Americana makes!
Monday, June 25:
Wild + Wanderful | Marvelous Auntie M | Handmade Boy
Phat Quarters | Call Ajaire
Tuesday, June 26:
Musings of a Seamstress | Sea of Estrogen | Sew and Tell Project
5 out of 4 Patterns | Little Heart Threads
Wednesday, June 27:
Middle River Studio | Elli & Nels | SewSophieLynn
Pear Berry Lane | The Eli Monster
Thursday, June 28:
Auschick Sews | EYMM | Mama & Leia
Seams Sew Lo | Stitched by Jennie
Friday, June 29:
Stylin’ Stacy | Rebel & Malice | On Wednesdays We Sew
FairyTale BT | That’s-Sew-Kari | Very Blissful
This is a stunning combo!