Pattern: Simplicity 2369
Size: 10 graded to a 12
Fabric: Knit ITY from Joann Fabrics
Jeans: Mek Denim
Sunnies: Bulgari
Necklace: birthday gift!
Wristlet: Michael Michael Kors (birthday gift to myself!)
I’ve had this top finished and in my closet for about a month and realized that I never had an opportunity to share it here, partially due to my “photographer” not being available when I was as well as the hours I’m working for my new job (I got a promotion!). It was cool in Boston on Sunday and I wanted to feel comfy but look cute for my birthday mini-golf outing – it was definitely a jeans and tee kinda day.
Yes, it was my birthday! I noticed a fine line forming on my forehead in the bathroom that morning and my roots need to be colored since my grays are showing through. Hooray.
Construction
I was apprehensive about how this top was going to fit since wrap tops are always too big on me due to the cross-over piece being too long. This isn’t a “true” wrap top since it’s only a half piece that wraps across the front, and I think that attributed to the correct fitting of this top. I did my usual mods, a 10 graded out to a 12 from waist to hip, and I think I could have gone a bit smaller up top. But I was too lazy to re-cut the top and take in the sides, it wasn’t that major of a fit issue.
My machine, however, did not care for the ITY I was sewing with. I never sewed with an ITY before, even though I have heard rave things about them and it seems to be quite the fabric in the knit fabric world, but I’m not sure I would sew with it again. I love my little Bernina 1005 but it had a hard time stitching consistently and kept skipping stitches, zigging when it should have zagged. I changed the stitch length, even switched to a straight stitch and stretched while I sewed, but it didn’t like that either. Maybe someone reading this has insight into this problem?
I decided to do a neck band instead of a facing for this top, figuring I could benefit from additional fabric being added to an already low neckline. I followed the instructions to make the binding and opted not to turn it to the inside. The only downside is that since I didn’t plan ahead to do this, I have raw edges on the inside. I also have to tie this top pretty tight and watch the neckline during the day, but having worn this top twice now, I haven’t had any gap-age issues. Whew, what a relief!
I loved this pattern – I made the pants to go along with this top as well – and I definitely want to make the dress, too. Since I already attempted to make a test garment for a wrap dress that failed, I bet this pattern will be the pattern I pick to make the wrap dress off of my 12 in 2012 list.
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It's the needle. You need to use a ball-point needle to successfully sew ITY — or, indeed, most knits. The needle slides between the fibers to pick up the bobbin thread, instead of having to punch through like a sharp needle does. Changing the needle will eliminate all (or at least, most) of the problems you describe. You can find them everywhere: Singer designates them as Yellow Band needles. Other brands will say "ballpoint" somewhere on the package description.
Hi Lin, I use ballpoint needles every time I sew with knits and I make sure to change needles for new projects so that they're always sharp and ready to go.
I love this new top! Great fabric too. My old machine had a really hard time sewing on ITY knits, and I tried everything including using a ball point needle. Nothing worked. My new machine, however, never skips stitches on anything. However, my first one was a really cheap starter machine, and that doesn't sound like a Bernina to me.
I'm wondering if it's something with my timing or my Bernina needs to be serviced…it's been awhile…
Very attractive top in a stunning print! You look fab in this!