A Holiday Gift From Itch-To-Stitch: The Free Pattern, Uvita Top

This holiday season, Itch-To-Stitch is giving us a wonderful gift with the new FREE Uvita Top!

OMG you guys, it's SO COLD!

This was supposed to be Deadline-Free December for me, but when I caught wind that Kennis needed help with a secret test to surprise everyone with her next free pattern, I eagerly accepted the invitation.

Pattern Details

Uvita Top is a relaxed fit, drop shoulder t-shirt style that is crazy versatile. 

This free pattern has all the same bells & whistles you get with your purchased Itch-To-Stitch patterns: Sizing 00-20, layered PDF and fully illustrated step-by-step instructions. Plus, it features:

- Relaxed Fit, but not oversized

-Wide Neckline, still covers your bra straps

-Dropped Shoulder, for fashionable slouchiness

-Long or 3/4 Length Sleeves

There's very few seam lines, so this is a great place to show off stripes and plaids with minimal matching stress. Check out all the FABULOUS tester makes HERE. 

(seriously, that plaid is my favorite!!)

Down To The Nitty-Gritty

I skipped my usual muslin process on this pattern. My bust is a little bigger than the 8, but it's a little smaller than the 10. My shoulders tend to lean more toward the 8 side, as do my hips. I checked the final measurement of the waist, and there was enough ease to accommodate my winter calorie stomach storage. Also, I've been pretty consistent in my knit pattern sizing with Itch-To-Stitch so I went ahead and printed off a size 8. 

I made two of my standard adjustments to the pattern before cutting my fabric:

1. A 1/2 inch forward shoulder adjustment. The notch on the shoulder marks approximately where my shoulder point is. Using that as a reference point, I drew my 1/2 inch change blending to nothing at the neckline, and continuing the 1/2 inch change all the way to the end of the shoulder at the arm.

2. Removed 1 inch from the length of the sleeve. Well, to be clear, I didn't shorten the sleeves in version 1 and they are super long. For version 2, I took out an inch at the L&S line and have just the right amount of hand coverage for winter.

Version #1

This first version is made with a rather thick cotton knit. Heavier than an interlock, but not as much as a double knit. While it has the right amount of stretch for the pattern, the fabric doesn't have nearly enough drape for my preference. I picked up the heathered grey knit as an impulse buy at Joann's a while back. It was really well behaved, and as it came off the bolt knitted in the round, it was simple to lay out for cutting. 

Version #2

I wasn't going to make a second version right away, but this top (especially once the pattern is finalized) only takes a couple hours to come together. Most of that is spent on the neckline...which I'll detail in a minute.

For version #2, I picked a slinky, sheer sweater knit from my stash. It's a mystery knit from Fabricland Outlet in Royal Oak. This is the second of a handful of fabrics I bought there last spring on my (reward for getting taxes done) trip to the east side of the state. I have to say, seeing as how the fabrics were only a few dollars/yard, I'm really impressed! A fabric like this normally curls, or is shifty and hard to manipulate. Not so with this. I am anxious to make my way back next March for a bigger shopping spree.

Neckline Details

I know, it looks like a regular neckline, right? Well, it is. If you follow the directions and take your time, you will have a beautifully finished neckline that lays nice and flat. Taking your time is the key. It's not hard at all, but I wanted to include a couple of action shots here to illustrate how even the simplest of tees can have a lovely finish.

The binding for the neck is very narrow, and you are going to be working with 1/4 inch seam allowances. Don't be afraid of the spray starch if your fabric is not cooperating. It washes out and will save you from developing Stress Related Baldness.

What I should have done here, because my fabric was so thick, was use a lighter weight cotton spandex. But, I didn't, and I found that my binding was not wide enough to wrap around the seam allowance. If you have a similar situation, do not despair. I graded my seam allowance to 1/16 at the shirt and 1/8 at the binding. 

That gave me the room to tuck the end around and fold it over per the pattern directions. 

BK (Before Kitten The Coverstitch. Don't laugh, she really does purr....) I probably would have hand stitched this with a catch stitch. BUT, I don't have to do that anymore! However, I have discovered it is still worth my time to hand baste some seams in place before running them through Kitten. This neckline is a perfect example. With basting in place, there are no pins in the way and I can give it a quick press before stitching to ensure it's nice and flat to feed evenly.

And, for those who don't know, you stitch right side up on the coverstitch. That means I can't see the edge of my binding. With it basted in place, I can follow the little black dashes to make sure I don't slide off the edge.

I did not have any issues with thickness on my version 2 sweater knit and did not need to grade any seams. However, I still basted the binding in place to ensure it didn't move on me while I stitched.

I know I have a great deal of practice ahead of me to get professional looking results, but I'm still satisfied with my beginner cover stitching!

Final Photos

My thicker heathered grey version is a good addition to my PJ Wardrobe. It's the sort of top that I'll wear in the evenings or weekends when I'm lounging around... or on those days when I just don't feel good and I want to be comfortable.

 Version 2 needs a cami underneath, but man I like how that sweater knit drapes. It's warm enough to be comfortable, but light enough to layer under cardigans or blazers at work.

 

 

Get Your Uvita!

Uvita Top is available Right Now. For Free. Head over to the Itch-To-Stitch shop and download your copy!!
Also, for just one week, (now through December 19, 2017) grab your favorite Itch-To-Stitch pattern from the shop at 20% off using the code: bye2017

Share your photos with the rest of us Fan Girls in the Itch-To-Stitch Designs Facebook Group.