Friday, 27 October 2023

North Point Trousers and Orono Top

Itch to Stitch Northpoint Trousers in black stretch cotton I actually purchased for this pattern. It secures with a brass fly zip and two trouser hook and eye on the separate waistband. I lowered and extended the crotch, but made no other adjustments. This us my favourite trouser pattern, I make a pair every year. Worn with Orono Too sweater in organic cotton french terry.

Itch to Stitch Northpoint Trousers (older sizing 00 to 20)

  • Classically sleek straight leg silhouette
  • Medium rise and curve through hip and thigh
  • Ankle length that can be lengthened or shortened
  • Contour waistband for a better fit
  • Streamlined front slanted pockets
  • Strong and durable back single-welt pockets
  • Fly front with zipper and double hook and bar closure
  • Use of stretch woven fabric for comfort

Itch to Stitch Orono Top - Organic french Terry made up into Orono Top! I really want to make a Newport top in french terry too, plain colour sweatshirts are very on trend and easy to wear. Topstitched in Guterman thread with a narrow zigzag.


  • Stand-up collar
  • Long raglan sleeves with shoulder darts
  • Overlapping, petal-like front
  • High-low hem
  • In-seam pockets
  • Designed for structured knit fabric.

Saturday, 30 September 2023

Tote and Zip Purses

I picked up this Laura Ashley pdf pattern S9814 in a Simplicity USA pdf sale. I made a Gift for Mr W, a tote and a matching medicine bag (I don't use makeup bags and it reminded me of my fisher price first aid kit in the 80s so I renamed). I used a denim remnant. I don't have webbing as I make straps myself from interfacing and fabric, but I didn't need interfacing for this rigid denim. I interfaced the front and back pocket edges. Through taking the photos, I saw drag marks, so I interfaced the centre part of the bag where the straps sit using large offcuts of interfacing I had saved from other projects. lined the pockets in the Halloween cotton and cut the top of the pockets 2cm longer and the lining 2cm shorter so that I could sew the lining to the raw edge and fold the edge down. I used the denim reverse for the contrast. To cut your own 1 inch webbing, cut 2 of the length (65 or 60 inches? The pattern said 65 inch or 150 cm and that's not the same length) X 4 inches then fold the raw edges to the inside, fold in half and topstitch. The pattern is designed for quilting, so I thought it would be resourceful to use up scraps for patchwork bags.

Bags for Mr W from his old jeans! I interfaced the top of the bags and the overlay too because the denim had a little stretch. I used a leaf embroidery stitch. Same pattern but I used a smaller seam allowance.

Wednesday, 13 September 2023

Itch to Stitch Sibiu Top

Itch to Stitch Sibiu Top in organic cotton french terry, supplied by Minerva for review. 


  • Relaxed batwing sleeves with shoulder inset option
  • Bottom band resting on high hips
  • Option for cowl or neckband
  • Option for long or three-quarter length sleeves (long or short cuffs)
  • Designed for knit fabric - I like french terry the best!

French terry supplied by Minerva for review. 

Saturday, 26 August 2023

Charm Pattern Jeans

I purchased the Marilyn Jeans at the same time as the Patsy Shirt, which I sewed up in robin print Calico. I used stretch denim as this is my 'muslin', usually I would do a full calf adjustment. I left off the pocket topstitching to save time and the stitching isn't particularly visible in the pale blue. There's a long leg option, or Capri, or Capri with cuffs, I sewed Capri. I used brass studs and a brass jeans button with little stars on. The hidden side pocket is clever and retro, it was a good way of using up oddly coloured zips that don't match my fabrics! Changes: Added interfacing to the top of the back pockets (the front pockets are interfaced in the instructions). I sewed the hems at 3cm pressed up,  instead of 1.5cm turned twice.  I added bias binding to the inside pocket edge as 1.5cm felt too narrow for me. Instead of sewing the denim and pocket lining pocket pieces together, I drafted a new pocket lining piece then zigzagged the denim on top of it to join it at the raw edge. I used pastel sprinkles print fat quarters for the facings.

Thursday, 17 August 2023

2nd Rainbow Nosara Shirt

Itch to Stitch Nosara Shirt in rainbow stripe Lady McElroy cotton lawn I purchased a couple of years ago. I used some of the pastel shade Pigeon Wishes buttons that Mr W gave me for my birthday, they blend well with the cream background and multicolour. This time I sewed the size up (in-between sizes). I pattern matched the pocket and sewed the back yoke with the same direction as I'm not a fan of competing lines. The sides are also print matched. 

  • Options for cup sizes, sizes 00 to 40.
  • Standard collar with collar stand
  • Integrated dolman sleeves
  • Front buttoned
  • Back yoke with back pleats
  • High-low shirttail hem
  • Designed for non-stretch, lightweight woven fabric.