New From Itch to Stitch: Medellin and Cartagena, Two Peas In a Pod

When I love a new pattern, I will wear it for a week straight before I give in and add it to the dirty laundry pile. Fortunately, I made two Medellin Tops and THREE Cartagena Camis, so I could switch up between wearing and washing. 

It's a well known fact that I love wrap style tops. I feel like the open neck and figure skimming lines are flattering to my curvy hourglass shape. I've been able to add a few different wrap-style patterns to my repertoire this year, but new-comer Medellin Top is definitely at the top of my Love List.

Medellin Top

This knit fabric, wrap style top is gathered slightly along the left side and finished with bands along the neck and hip. I made both my versions from double brushed poly, but if you check out the tester versions HERE, you'll see it's suitable for a variety of knit fabrics from jersey to sweater knit and even micro fleece!

Medellin Fit Notes

I didn't really make a true muslin for this top. I measured myself (size 12) printed and cut right into the good stuff. Foolish? Perhaps. Size 12 was a great choice for my bust, waist and hips, but my shoulders and arms had some extra room. You can see it in how the seams hang over the tip of my shoulders. There's also a little extra fabric pooling at the center front hip band, which indicates the CF might be a touch too long for me.

Despite those minor fit notes, this top is 100% wearable! The DBP is very soft and stretchy, but it recovers nicely and, for the most part, maintains a good shape.

For my second Medellin, I sized down to an 8 at the shoulder/sleeve. I graded to a 10 at the bust and out to a 12 for the hip. This gives me the closer fit I want, resolving the extra length at CF. But, the top is still comfortable and flattering.

Aside from grading my sizes to slim down my shoulder and sleeve fit, the only other adjustments I made were to shorten the sleeve 1.5 inches, and to do a 1/2 inch forward shoulder adjustment. Both of these are standard for me. 

Cartagena Cami

I don't know about you, but I can never find a good RTW cami. They are too short, too long, the straps don't fit right, they don't cover my bra, they dig in at a weird spot or even worse: You finally find one that fits but it's not available in the color or print you want... Ladies, that's all about to change!

Cartagena Cami is a very quick make that only takes a scrap of knit fabric and a couple yards of FOE (fold over elastic). Intended for very stretchy fabrics (100% horizontal stretch) such as Rayon Spandex, I also found great success with my DBP scraps (75% horizontal stretch). Additionally, Cartagena has a beautifully shaped ballet back and a rounded front neckline. 

Cartagena Fit Notes

Again, I sort of skipped the muslin phase and went to work using leftover DBP from my second Medellin and some silver FOE I found at Joann's. I cut and sewed the size I measured on the body chart, a 12, and made absolutely no changes at all. 

My elastic skills are pretty lacking. I can never seem to get the stretch just right. However, Kennis has taken all the guesswork out of that. The pattern includes very specific measurements and markings for every size. I cut, measured, pinned and stretched just as outlined and VOILA!

PERFECTION.

My bra is covered. There is no side boob bulge They girls are properly contained when I lean over. My stomach doesn't show when I raise my arms and there is just enough at the hem to tuck into my jeans without having a wad of fabric in there.

 Medellin + Cartagena=Peas In A Pod

For me, nothing goes better with a wrap top, than a coordinating cami to layer underneath. Medellin and Cartagena were made for one another!

Both Medellin and Cartagena are available in the Itch to Stitch shop today with a very special offer only available through Wednesday, November 21, 2018: 

When you put both Medellin Top and Cartagena Cami in your cart this week, you will receive 20% off the regular price of Medellin PLUS you will get Cartagena Cami for FREE!

Final Photos

As soon as I get my hands on some good and colorful FOE that doesn't $3.99 a yard (seriously, Joann's, that's robbery). I will have an army of Cartagena Camis in my closet! I'll need them to pair with all the Medellin Tops I will make. 

 
 
 
 My mind is swirling with all the ways Medellin and Cartagena fits into my current wardrobe. Solo, under Irena or Montana... layered with Hvar and Lisbon.

 
Get the new Medellin Top and your FREE Cartagena Cami this week (through November 21st, 2018) and come join all the Fan Girls in the Itch to Stitch Facebook Community to share your makes, get support or be inspired!