Hi Y’all! Recently, Kennis Wong of Itch To Stitch Patterns had a terrible shock when she returned home to Costa Rica from vacation and found all her valuables missing – cameras, computers, even sewing machines! Everything she used to make a living was gone. Along with a huge outpouring of love, the sewing community decided to actually come together and spread the word, host a blog tour and a Link up party to support our beloved designer.

I’m here today with my Carey Top from Itch to Stitch, encouraging you to check out this meticulous designer’s very professional patterns, and maybe purchase a pattern or two so she can get back on her feet again. If you sew up her pattern, please blog about it and link your blog (I’ll tell you how at the end) and you could win some amazing prizes!

I think the Carey top was one of Kennis’ first patterns that I tested. While the pattern is written primarily for wovens, I was asked to try it out in a knit. While I looooved my make, it was a very casual top that I wore the heck out of. Since I knew it was a flattering yet quick sew, I chose to sew it up again, and bring a little sass to it this time.

The pattern size range goes from a 25.5″ waist to 40.5″, or size 00 to 20. There’s plenty of ease at the bust so it’s not so important when deciding what size you will sew, and there are instructions on grading between sizes. There are no pattern photos, there are great line drawings showing good detail in black and white. There are also three methods to create a shirt tail hem that she explains, so you’re probably learning something new too.

I made the size 16 I believe, coz that baby weight is just not budging. Everything seems to have rearranged itself right on my gut, lol. You’re advised to pick your size based on your waist for this pattern. I decided I wanted to use this amaaaaazing double brushed poly from Simply By Ti fabrics, since the silhouette is relaxed and I won’t get too hot wearing it. I love the black and purple combination, it’s almost like everyone forgot purple even exists! I never really see it in shops anymore. I chose a cute faux vinyl I found at the Dallas fabric district for the contrast panel down the sleeve, and to make the ties that give that cute ruched look.

The pattern directions are very good. Trust me, you’ll want to follow them, as she has you hem first and then assemble to top, so your channels for the drawstring look well finished. Another big tip is to ensure you press the seams well so that the fabric doesn’t bunch up as you sew the seam allowance down to create the channel. That really made a big difference in how good the faux vinyl looked.

The ties are just strips of the faux vinyl that I cut – it doesn’t fray and I wasn’t keen on sewing slippery vinyl down into even tinier drawstring. I actually like the feel of them, though if they annoy me once I wear the top more, I might cut them off and close the channels permanently.

In summation, I’m glad I know Kennis. I’m proud to stand by her patterns and to say I’ve tested for her. She’s professional and generous and right now, she needs your help. If you’re in the market for a pattern, please check her site out, and you could win one of our prize packs if you sew up a pattern and link it in the Link up Party. Or just enter the rafflecopter giveaway and talk about her to your friends. Because at the end of the day, we are a community, a village, a family.

Your ITS Love bloggers are

Monday: Sew Sophie Lynn, Merritts Makes, Sewing with Sarah, Sewing with D

Tuesday: Shalini’s Blog, Auschicksews, Rebel and Malice, Sewing Vortex

Wednesday: Replicate Then Deviate, mahlicadesigns, Sewing with D, The Petite Sewist, kreamino

Thursday: Sewing Curves, Creative Counselor, Sew Mariefleur, Fairies, Bubbles & Co, Sewing by Ti

Friday: Harper+Lu, MeMade, On Wednesdays We Sew, Heather Handmade, Bellevi, and visit by mooglii on IG

The ITS Love Tour sponsors have been so generous in support of Kennis of Itch to Stitch that we’ve been able to put together several prize packages to share with you.

First, you may enter our giveaway to win one of three prize packs:

Prize Pack #1 includes:

5 Itch to Stitch patterns

$25GC to Simply By Ti

$50 Raspberry Creek Gift Card

$50 Bella Sunshine gift card

Prize Pack #2 includes:

$50 Knit Pop GC

$25 Designer Stitch GC

$25 Chalk and Notch GC

3 patterns of choice from Coffee And Thread

Prize Pack #3 Includes:

$15 Thread & Grain store credit

$25 Maker Mountain Fabrics GC

3 patterns from Halla Patterns

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

Your second way to win is to share with us your recent Itch to Stitch creations (made between October and November 2017). Add your creations to our Link Up Party before Nov. 20th for a chance to win one of two prize packs.