Today’s make is one of my Make Nine for 2019. I always feel extra accomplished when I check something off my Make Nine list. Like high-giving, fist pumping accomplished. Not quite literally. But I do feel pretty proud. lol. The Kila Tank is the third completed make from the list. I will definitely need to speed it up a bit on my list if I’m going to finish by the end of the year. I still have 6 things left to make in the next 7.5 months. Totally do-able. :)

Anyway, today’s pattern is the Kila Tank, designed by Allie Olson. It’s a classic rib knit tank style, very fitted with a scoop neck. This is one of those patterns that I bought specifically for the fabric. I had a few rib knits in my stash and then found a really nice Micro Rib Knit remnant from Blackbird Fabrics. This specific fabric is no longer available from Blackbird, but IndieSew does have a few rib knits in stock that would be perfect for this pattern. (UPDATED 2023: IndieSew is no longer around but Allie’s patterns are still for sale on her site.)

This is a really simple pattern to sew and Allie has a very helpful video (link updated 2023) that shows you all the steps. I definitely watched the video about 8 times while making this tank. I’ve never had the best experience when sewing rib knit fabric but the fusible tape that Allie recommends does help a lot to prevent the fabric from stretching out. Also, a good quality fabric will behave much better.

I cut a size 12 at the neck, armholes and bust and graded down to a 10 at the waist and hips. I started out by making a wearable muslin from a very cheap rib knit fabric. It stretched out horribly during sewing and did not recover even after washing. From my “muslin” I knew that the scoop neck and the armholes were deep and possibly too deep for me. I was also running out of fabric for the binding so I decided to shorten this tank above the bust by 3/4 inch. I think the fit is now perfect for me and I had just enough binding fabric.

It’s also important to note for my #sewingtall friends that I did not add any length to the tank and it’s still plenty long on me. I’m 5’11” and carry a lot of my height in my torso but this tank still reaches down over my hips. I think this tank would make a really great layering piece and look good under high waisted pants or skirts.

Audie Playsuit by Amy Nicole Studio

Today, I’m very excited to share one of my final makes of 2020. It’s not the last thing I sewed this year but it is one of the last things that I sewed just for myself and just for fun. I started making this jumpsuit back in November as part of my birthday-month celebration. Isn’t sewing for yourself a great way to celebrate? Plus, there’s nothing like a fun and playful jumpsuit to make one get into a celebratory mood.

Meadowood Blouse by Straight Stitch Designs

Today, I'm very excited to share my Meadowood Blouse with you. I made this blouse at the beginning of November, around the time of my birthday. I hadn't been sewing many things just for fun so I made up this blouse and a jumpsuit that I'm planning to share next week. It was really nice to get back to garment sewing and sew something just for me. This blouse has an oversized silhouette, grown-in sleeves, v-neck, front button band and a yoke with gathers. The oversized shape is reminiscent of my Lou Box Top pattern but the details in this blouse make it extra special.

DIY Bra Tops - A review of the Seamwork Kaye pattern

I feel like I haven't done a lot of sewing just for myself this year but I'm that when I go back and look at my list of completed makes, it will be lengthy. I do have 100% certainty, however, that the Seamwork Kaye Top is my most often made pattern. I spend most of my sewing time making things for Sew DIY business – pattern samples, pattern hacks and tutorials. I love making those things but they're not as free and fun as making something just for myself can be.

DIY Fitted Knit Trousers - Review of the Seamwork Dexter pattern

Today I’m sharing a pair of pants that I finished way back in May. I actually started them at the end of February in preparation for a trip that I had planned for Italy in March. Sadly, once the trip was canceled due to covid, I abandoned the project for a few months.

I’m a little obsessed with finding the perfect travel wardrobe and I thought these pants would be the perfect new addition. When I travel, I want clothing that will be lightweight and easy to pack, comfortable to wear and hopefully a bit stylish too. This pattern is the Dexter pants by Seamwork magazine and they are a slim fit stretch knit pant. I imagined myself skipping around Rome in comfortable elegance. Le sigh.

DIY animal print terry cloth robe - Draft-It-Yourself Tasi Robe by Sew DIY

Today, I’m sharing one of my latest makes and probably the most fun thing I’ve sewn in a long time. It’s a very short robe with cropped sleeves made in VINTAGE. ANIMAL PRINT! fabric. I can fully imagine myself at a 1960s backyard barbecue drinking a mai tai and eating a hot dog. Either that, or I’m hanging out in Bedrock with the Flinstones. I’ve been calling this a pool robe but I don’t really know if that’s a thing. I imagine a pool robe to be cropped and fun and this definitely fits the bill.

Review of the Morningside Shirt by French Navy Patterns

Hello sew-friends! Today, I’m sharing a blouse that I made a number of months ago. I originally imagined taking this blouse with me on a trip to Italy that I had scheduled for early March to celebrate my 40th birthday. That trip was sadly, but necessarily, canceled due to covid-19. When the trip was canceled, my sewing plans were upended as well. This blouse and a coordinating pair of pants (sneak peek in the photos below!) have not been getting the attention they deserved. Despite those delays and disappointment, I know that this blouse will have a prominent place in my wardrobe for many years to come.

Review of the Slabtown Backpack by Klum House

Today, I’m very excited to share my Slabtown Backpack. A month or so ago, Ellie from Klum House reached out to me to see if I’d like to try their new backpack kit. I said yes pretty much immediately. I loved making their Maywood Tote last year, and I was pretty confident that I’d love making this backpack too. Their kits are a fun combination of sewing and hammering, making them the perfect respite from my usual sewing projects.

Slow sewing and a Scrappy robe

I used to be a bit of a speed sewer. I loved a quick make and would churn things out like nobody’s business. The last few years though, I’ve managed to take things a bit more slowly. Don’t get me wrong, I love the feeling of a quick and satisfying sew. It’s the best! Sometimes it’s exactly what you need. I tend to be impatient and want everything to happen right now, especially if it’s something that I’m excited about. If you’re familiar with the Enneagram, I’m a type 7, the Enthusiast, which probably explains a lot. So, I don’t think I’ll ever become a couture sewist or spend months on a single project. It would be very challenging for me to stay focused and enthusiastic on one thing for that long. Even sewing a pair of jeans is a bit of stretch for me and I have no desire to sew a tailored coat.

DIY fitted knit dress - Seamwork Neenah pattern

Today, I’m sharing a dress that I made on a total whim early last month. I’m calling it an impulse sew because I suddenly got the idea for it in my head and had to sew it up right away. Sometimes, an impulse sew can be quite successful, especially if you are using a pattern that you’ve sewn before. For this dress, not only did I use a pattern that I’ve made twice before but I also used fabric that was leftover from another dress I made. So, it’s kind of a leftover dress but I believe it’s absolutely fantastic. I’m so glad that when the idea popped into my head, that I scooped it up and ran with it.

DIY Lined Denim Jacket - Review of the Falda Jacket by Pattern Fantastique

Today I’m sharing a me-made jacket! I am not much of a jacket or coat maker but I’m happy to sew that I’ve been wearing this one a lot since I finished it a couple of weeks ago. Living in Southern California, I can get away with wearing just a sweater most of the year so I usually don’t have a lot of interest in sewing jackets and coats. But, last summer, I saw this jacket on Instagram and decided that I just had to copy it. I was drawn in by the unique shape and especially the dramatic lantern sleeves.

DIY Fitted Rib Knit tank

Beth – Sew DIY