I’ve been struggling to find time to sew recently, with a job and a toddler rushing around me constantly. Exhausted is just half of it! But I jumped at the chance when Jasmin was looking for pattern testers for her latest sewing pattern, The Daphne …
The Helene Selvedge Jeans pattern has been a long awaited one. Over lockdown I watched Anna Allen’s Instagram posts closely as she shared pair after pair of amazing jeans, she was making herself. I knew she was planning to release them, but as usual wanted …
To get myself back into sewing again I needed a quick project, I chose the Twig and Tale Sunny Hat. It’s been a while since I’ve sewn anything, with a new baby I’ve been quite busy. She has just started napping for longer periods of time, so it was time to get started.
I knew I wanted to make a sunhat for Robin as the weather was getting sunnier, and it was something she really needed. I searched around and came across the Twig and Tale Sunny Hat pattern. Which is actually a free pattern, so even better. The Sunny Hat is also available in 11 sizes, from newborn to adult.
The Sunny Hat is made up of 6 panels, so it is perfect as a scrap-busting project. I have a box of scraps that I save for the perfect project. In it I had these lovely Eco Enzyme washed Linen pieces originally from Minerva that were the perfect size. As the hat is lined, I also dug out some lovely Liberty Lawn from Minerva. I used the Liberty lawn fabric originally for a vintage pattern I made. It also asked for some interfacing for the brim, but I just used some leftover medium-weight calico I had in my scraps.
I was extra careful when I cut out all the pieces, as just a couple of mm difference would soon add up and end up making the hat too big or small. I don’t think I’ve ever taken so long to cut out such a small pattern. As I was working with scraps it was hard to layer them as I usually would for cutting out.
I started by attaching two panels together with the facing and immediately made a mistake. I attached a piece of the facing on the outside – mum brain in action. After unpicking and starting again, it all went smoothly. I made two half hats of 3 panels and then sewed a smooth curve seam to make the shape of the hat, then repeated the process for the Liberty lining. I then put the two hats’ right sides together and sewed around the brim. Turned it through and the hat is complete.
It was straight on Robin’s head before I could even press it for a sunny day in the garden.
I only made one adjustment, and that was to take a couple of cm off the brim of the hat so it wasn’t too big. Although it’s a sunhat I still wanted her to be able to see, as I know she’s a nosy baby.
The instructions for this pattern were impeccable, especially for a free pattern so I will definitely be making it again. There are so many sizes of the sunny hat, so I’m sure Robin will be wearing it for many years. Also, on the Twig and Tale website you can buy a super cute add-on to make the hat into a little flower, adorable.
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Thanks For reading
Ruby x
I’m back with a bump! And it’s a big one… turns out as I get bigger none of my trousers fit, who knew! My love for fitted high waisted trousers, shorts and skirts has not worked out well during pregnancy. I knew exactly what I …
The Anthea Blouse is here!! Again I have taken part of the pattern testing process for Anna Allen Clothing’s newest garment – the Anthea Blouse. A versatile pattern that comes with 2 different versions, dress and blouse and 2 sleeve lengths. If you’ve read my …
I recently took part in the testing process for Sewing Patterns by Masin for the launch of her new pattern, the Tulia Tee. This is a unisex jersey t-shirt with an oversized fit. It only has one view in the pattern but is open for hacks and adjustments. Which is always something I look for in a pattern.
So, now I’m basically a pro at pattern testing, okay I’ve done it about 4 times. You can check out the last time I did it for Sewing Masin, Pattern Testing The Dayo Blouse. I’ve trained myself to actually read the pattern instructions and pay attention to every detail. Luckily these are really well put together and have a lovely conversational style. Which makes it feel like Jasmin, the design is talking directly to you.
Lockdown had just started when I agreed to start pattern testing. So with the current shop closures I decided to just “shop my stash” and use what I already had.
The thing about the Tulia Tee is it is made up of panels, 5 to be exact. This means you can be creative with your fabric choices. Make it all in one fabric or make each panel different. This is perfect as I already knew my Tulia Tee was going to be a scrap buster experiment. As it is oversized, I looked at the measurements to decide a size. Also the examples of the versions Jasmine, the designer had already made to help determine my size. I decided to make an XS, so it was still oversized, but not massive.
I love using Instagram to find out more about patterns, if you search the hashtag #tuliatee you’ll see everyone else’s lovely inspirational makes.
So with this pattern I looked through my stash fabric and realised I didn’t have any large measurements of any of my jerseys. Therefore I decided to mix it up a bit with plain red and a striped jersey. As the Tulia Tee is oversized it can be made on a standard machine or an overlocker. The only part that needs to really stretch it the neck hole. I used an overlocker for all the seams and neck hole and once cut it was a super quick sew. Just sew up the front panels and back, should seams and then the neckband. I pinned the neckband at 4 points and overlocked it place. Then just the side seams, topstitching and done. One thing I did was topstitch the hem and sleeves in black which I’m not a fan of and will at some point unpick and re-sew in red.
After much fiddling with my jersey pieces I realised I just wasn’t going to have enough fabric, no matter I’ll just make a cropped version. I fiddled about trying to work out where to crop it, but for ease of use I just used the lengthen/shorten lines already marked on the panel. This ended up making it about 24cm/9 inches shorter.
This was a really quick sew and brilliant as a scrap buster project so I’ll definitely be making it again. Jasmin at Sewing Masin mentioned that one change she has made in the final pattern is to make the neck hole a little wider, which is a good adjustment and would like to try out.
I’ve seen this pattern hacked into a long sleeve version and a dress version, so I’m keen to have a go at those! The pattern is also unisex, so maybe my boyfriedn will be getting one too! The pattern is available now, you can purchase it on the Sewing Patterns by Masin website.
I’d love to here if any of you make the Tulia Tee – send me links in the comments
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Thanks
Ruby x
Recently I was asked to be part of the pattern testing process for Anna Allen Clothing’s latest garment – the Pomona Pants. It is a versatile pattern that comes with 3 different views, shorts, wide trousers, and tapered trousers. I love Anna Allen’s patterns, they …
