Tag Archives: nicole miller

Tank for the Heatwave


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Itch to Stitch just released the new Chirripo Top and since I was a pattern tester I’ve got some photos to share! It’s also on sale right now.

This top has a flutter sleeve option but I went with the tank since it’s been ridiculously hot in Portland. When I do pattern testing I try to use stash fabrics so this was a Nicole Miller print from Joann’s that I’ve had for years. The top is a very quick and easy make with cup sizes so no adjustments! The construction is pretty interesting, using an interfaced side panel for the under arm to give it a clean finish. I also really liked the shaping in the yoke. I’ve made other tops that basically has a very flat yoke that gapes, but this one is contoured.

The only thing I don’t like about it is that it sometimes the center bodice below the yoke falls into my cleavage but I think that’s more of a factor of how I gathered it and the fabric choice.

City Lights Turner Dress


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Cashmerette is out with another knit dress pattern – the Turner Dress. The Washington dress isn’t really my style so I was glad to see something I would actually wear!  I picked this up at Modern Domestic on Saturday and by Sunday Night I had a new dress.

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Altogether I think this took me under 3 hours to trace, cut, and sew.  I used a rayon/spandex blend which is not the easiest fabric so I spent extra time pinning.  The dress is just 4 pattern pieces.

Speaking of fabric, this is from the Nicole Miller collection at Joann Fabric. All Nicole Miller was 60% off so I finally bought some. This particular print is called Urban Movement. It looks almost like a kaleidoscope of abstract city lights. I had to be careful of my pattern placement with this print.

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If I had one complaint about this pattern it would be that I had to use 3 machines – sewing, serger, coverstitch.  I prefer to do knits with just my serger and coverstitch, but the v-neckline needed to be sewed and the instructions called for under stitching the neckline.

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I sewed a 18 G/H and I think the fit is good but the waist might be a little big. I think it’s a very flattering style that I could wear without my spanx as it camouflages my tummy.

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This dress is bit fancy looking so I will probably wear it to work. I might make another one out of french terry or some other cozy stretch fabric for more casual wear.

Thumbs up, Cashmerette. This one’s a keeper!