Leopard Kyra

Although I really loved the way my Thankful Hampton turned out, I felt a little bad that it was supposed to be a first-day-of-summer camp shirt, but it didn't turn out very summery. Looking to make a quick save on the concept of a 'fun summer shirt,' for a still peplum-crazed (make that *drop waisted* peplum crazed... ) daughter, I turned to a previously used fabric I knew would be a hit - the Rainbow Cheetah Print from Oh So Pretty Fabric. 

And, needing a quick sew, I splurged on the Kyra from Simple Life Pattern Co. Honestly, I went back and forth quite a bit on buying this - I already had the Stitch Upon a Time Aurora, and both patterns' defining feature is the cross-back straps that add interest to what's otherwise a basic summer staple. But I liked the thick straps of the Kyra, and the crisper geometry in back. So, I indulged. 

If you're looking for a comparison, the overall effect of both patterns is pretty similar - the Kyra has thicker straps and a triangular area between straps, where the Aurora is rounded. 

But, the construction methods differ quite a bit - although there is a seam in the straps on the Kyra, the straps are created in one continuous stitch line then turned, then the bodice is closed via seams on the side and back. With Aurora, there's no need for a back seam because the bodice is created and then the straps are joined to close it. Both have methods that leave all seams enclosed, so the real tradeoff is a the lack of a back seam in the Aurora vs. the relative ease of getting Kyra's straps to look smooth and straight. Well, and since the straps join at the shoulder for the Kyra and in the back on the Aurora, the Kyra is a little more efficient to cut out, which is nice. I do think Kyra was the quicker, easier sew of the two, but either one is  pretty good pattern. You can see my review of the Aurora here. 

For this Kyra I did add some length to the bodice because my daughter is long-waisted. The the Kyra was a one-afternoon project for me, which is pretty quick by my standards. It came out fast & cute, and my daughter loves it. 

It goes well with jeans - and that's how she prefers to style it, but just for fun we also brought her fluffy pink skirt out. 

Hats off to such a quick & versatile top - and a model who knows how to work it to its every advantage :-)

Thankful in Summer

To celebrate my daughter's first day of summer camp, I told her I would make her a shirt. I didn't have time to curate a particular selection for her, but I figured I didn't need to: knowing her, I expected she'd probably head straight for one of the Aurora or Baby Yoda Prints I'd recently bought with her in mind. Oh boy was I wrong.

Instead she headed straight for a collection of fall prints that I've been hoarding for a couple of years. This collection - run by Kammie Lou Lou and titled "Thankful and Grateful" - is a collection of THOSE fabrics for me, the ones you just *can't* cut into because you haven't found a pattern majestic enough to showcase their amazing glory. I wasn't *opposed* to sharing these fabrics with my daughter, mind. But as a first-day-of-summer-camp shirt well... they weren't a very summer-y print. But, I said she could pick, so there I was. She went for the maroon-and-pumpkin plaid, which WAS a pretty fabulous pick if I do say so myself.  And she said she didn't care that it was a fall print at the start of summer. Well, OK. 

Fortunately (for me, or so I thought), my daughter didn't have a pattern in mind; so I told her OK, she could pick the fabric despite its seasonal bent, but *I* would pick the pattern. She agreed. I'd been admiring the SLPCo Hampton and when I presented it to her, she said she liked it. Of course, never one to leave well enough alone, I decided that for a fall top, I didn't want a back cut out, but I didn't want it plain either. There's a tutorial for an Isla back cutout with a Modesty Panel, and I'm not a afraid of a little pattern mashing so... it. was. ON.

I used the Isla Cutout & tutorial on the Hampton back bodice, and I'll admit I had to do the modesty panel twice because I got a little overconfident on sewing (and trimming) small seam allowances. And, note to future self: next time I do a symmetric cutout on a plaid, I should center the cutout on the plaid so that I can better tell what's asymmetry and what's optical illusion in the cutout itself. Drawing an inner heart on the pink panel helped me keep things straight(er), but of course as it would turn out, the Frixion Marker I used to *make* the marking didn't entirely iron out at the end. Sigh. Still, since I make for love and not profit - and because it was a first attempt - I was reasonably happy with the end result nonetheless.

The rest of the Hampton - like most SLPCo patterns - went together smoothly & looked good. The Hampton's puffed sleeves are definitely PUFFED SLEEVES - with way more volume (and fabric use) than the Girls' Fun Tee I usually use, but I thought they still managed to look stylish & fun. 

My daughter, unfortunately, was less than impressed. Remember this was *supposed* to be a summer camp shirt for her. I think she'd envisioned another drop-waisted SBPP peplum, and was therefore disappointed with the fall feel and high waist.

I, on the other hand, think it came out pretty awesomely. I figure I can always try to sell her on it again come fall; Maybe I'll even make a matching Cardigan for myself. Mommy & Me outfits always sweeten the deal a bit. And, even if it's not love at first sight, I made it big to there's plenty of time for it to grow on her.