Emily Culottes and Kathryn Top - Itch to Stitch Birthday Tour

I was very excited when Kennis Wong invited me to be part of the Birthday Blog Tour, celebrating Itch to Stitch one year anniversary. Now this blog tour had one condition.... We had to hack the pattern.  How you ask?  By changing it, tweaking it, adding your own design flair to the pattern.

I went with two patterns, the Kathryn Top & Dress and the Emily Culottes.  Initially, I thought I would pair the two garments together but I was distracted by fabric at Michael Levine and went a totally different way.  I knew I wanted a pair of black wool culottes, so I ordered this wonderful stretch wool

Now to my hack on the Emily Culotte.  Front pockets were a must, so I redrew the front to include slant pockets.  

Lightened this picture so much so you could see the pocket.  Black is hard to see the details.

The invisible zipper was moved from the side seam to the center back seam.  Can you see that little zipper tab?  I did had a bit of length to the front button tab. Pattern alterations: I added a bit to the crotch length, the crotch was low on my muslin.
I took one inch off the width of the culottes
Eliminated the front pleat per the pattern instructions.
My muslin was a size 8 at the waist and 6 at the hips but I went to a straight 6 since my fabric has stretch

I am so very happy with the end result.  I feel so trendy and chic wearing these culottes.  The instructions on the Itch to Stitch patterns are fabulous and I really appreciate the layers option.  Print only the size(s) you need with “layers” feature (no more mingled lines!)  This is such an appreciated feature, you can just print the one size you need or two and blend the lines between sizes. 

 I added 9 inches to the length of the culottes.  The Itch to Stitch instructions are very thorough with the adding of length and how to redraw the lines.


More on the Emily Culotte from the Itch to Stitch site

EMILY CULOTTES design features:

• Stylish and comfy pants with an A-line skirt silhouette
• Contoured waistband for a better fit
• Sits at natural waist to elongate your legs
• Invisible side zipper for a smooth look
• Option for slanted single-welt pockets
• Option for slanted patch pockets with button closure
• Option for waist tabs with decorative buttons
• Option for waist tie option

EMILY CULOTTES pattern features:

• Instructions for lined and unlined culottes
• Instructions for lengthening/shortening using guidelines
• Instructions for pleated or non-pleated front
• Instructions for high-quality finish
• Twelve sizes (00 – 20) (See “Size Chart” tab below for detailed measurements)
• Print only the size(s) you need with “layers” feature (no more mingled lines!)

One of the greatest pluses with a culotte vs. skirt.  The wind just makes it look like pants, nice and gusty at times here in the Midwest.  I just had to include this picture, it is too funny!

******************************** Okay, now my Kathryn Top met the Idyllwild and became the Lori Peasant Top!  Fabric begins the adventure, an ITY Chevron and the most incredible ponte and I sew with lots of ponte.  This ponte is amazing!

Now back to the top and my changes hacks  I gathered the neckline and used the lining pattern piece to create a small neckband.  I stitched the neckband in place to hold the gathers but felt like it needed bit more.  I inserted 1/4" elastic to gather the neckline a bit more. I used the Idyllwild pattern to create the armholes and sleeves.  I did have to work on the armholes as my first redraft resembled dropped sleeves/shoulders.  The sleeves were widened to make a peasant feel and elastic added to the hem.  The following picture is a good look at the elastic -gathered sleeves.

I was going to use the ITY knit for the entire top but it was just too much, the navy ponte helped to calm the top.  Also, check out Itch to Stich to get in on the birthday sale!

Now to the fun stuff, go check out the other hacks during this Birthday Blog tour!

Follow these blogs to see their awesome creations from Itch to Stitch patterns:

Scruffy Badger Time | Call Ajaire | Wally and Grace | Sew Wrong | Bella Sunshine Designs Seaside Notions | Made by Jaime | Sweet Little Chickadee | Inspinration | Friends Stitched Together Stoney Sews | Just Keep Sewing | My Little Sewing Dreams | Allie J. | Creative Counselor Love, Lucie | Girls in the Garden |  FABulous Home Sewn | Goddess of Sewing | Rebel & Malice The Telltale Tasha | House of Estrela | Made by Sara | Sew Shelly Sew | Red Knits

You can also enter to win lots of great prizes by these sponsors - be sure to scroll to the bottom for your change to win.

The Fabric Store - $100 Gift certificate

Elliott Berman Textiles - Fabric bundle from France & Italy

Craftsy - three online classes of your choice

Girl Charlee Fabrics - $25 Gift certificate

Indie Sew - $25 Gift certificate

UpCraft Club - $25 Gift certificate

Quarto Publishing Group USA - the SHIRTMAKING WORKBOOK by David Page Coffin


PLUS

The featured designer of the day will give away 2 patterns to a lucky winner:

 Baste + Gather

Straight Stitch Designs

Megan Nielsen Patterns

Jamie Christina

Hey June Handmade

Wardrobe by Me

Filles á Maman

Follow Itch to Stitch's blog closely to win these patterns!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
So in closing Happy Birthday Itch to Stich may your second year be filled with all sort of wonderfulness and great new patterns for us!
Disclosure - I received the two patterns for free but all the opinions are mine