Author Archives: Jan

Remember my guinea pig shirt? That was the Sandra Betzina t-shirt I made when I could find no reviews of the pattern, so didn’t really know what I was getting into. I had bought enough of that fabric that I would be able to make (or help make) a top for DGD, who—sadly—has already passed out of her “I’m going to be a fashion designer when I grow up” phase. <Insert very sad face emoticon here>. And wouldn’t you know it…I (or she) chose another pattern for which there were no reviews. However, this pattern was a complete piece o’ … Continue reading →

If I had to tell elucidate my most reassured wardrobe possessions, these Eileen Fisher silk tanks would be right at the top. I own three of them in black, plus one in cream, and a similar EF cap-sleeved t-shirt in red. Some were bought on sale but, truthfully, I paid full price for at least one. I wear the black tanks as a man wears undershirts. They allow me to wear my favorite cashmere sweaters longer between washings or visits to the dry cleaner; they smooth out bra lines under knit tops; they provide an extra layer of warmth and … Continue reading →

Of course. That’s what you’ll say when I tell you I decided around 2:00 yesterday afternoon to make Just One More Top for the trip. I wanted to try Katherine Tilton’s Butterick 5961 one more time. I still had some of the peacock RPL from my View C. I had also gotten some “army green” of the same fabric. Their army green is really closer to an avocado. So I made View A/B and cut it two inches longer. To counteract the floppiness of the collar, I took the lightweight interfacing that I had used for the hems on View … Continue reading →

Here’s a second take on Katherine Tilton’s Butterick 5961. I made the first one on Saturday and blogged about it here. I wanted some more black for tops, and picked up a nylon/acetate/lycra Swiss 4-way stretch at Gorgeous Fabrics. Ann’s description is accurate—”it’s a joy to sew.” I liked my sweatery teal tunic so much I decided to try the shorter version. I have ordered a pair of those new leggings-with-attached-skirt that one sees everywhere nowadays and thought the length of View A/B would be just right with that. I dipped into my knit remnants basket and came up with … Continue reading →

When I made Katherine Tilton’s Butterick 5925 top (blogged here and here), I fell in love with the RPL (Rayon-Poly-Lycra blend) fabric. I raced over to Gorgeous Fabrics and grabbed two more pieces, one in Peacock and one in Army Green. I expected these two pieces to have the same hand as the red RPL. I prewashed, and then last night, when cutting out Katherine Tilton’s Butterick 5961, I realized the hand was very different. And still wonderful. This top, which is slated to go to Germany with me next Friday, feels very similar to a lovely lightweight cashmere twin-set … Continue reading →