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anopheles horribilis |
I was back in the house in no time. I'm having way too many adventures this summer.
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I think I've looked at 50 knit top patterns this summer, trying to find one I can do in a tunic length with various sleeve treatments. Something with simple lines, not fussy, not art to wear - just a nice basic with good bones.
Finally I found McCalls 6203 - easy peasy, a front, a back, a sleeve band, a neck band.
My fabric is a hot pink and black zebra cotton jersey from Holly Lobby. I thought for 2 seconds about saving it for Jungle January, but I just couldn't do it. I need this top now!
The dolman batwing sleeve is perfect.
Sewing notes:
I sewed View C in size Medium, but drew the pattern out to a Large below the bust. Because I'm using this as a tunic, I didn't want it to be fitted through the hips - I was looking for a nice unbroken line below the sleeves to the hem.
A couple other changes: I added 1/2" to the length to ensure the hemline was below the crotch of my pants rather than across it. I also used a bias neckline binding rather than the raw-edged double band in the pattern. This makes the neckline a little lower, which I like better.
Here's another version with long sleeves, in Cielo poly/rayon/spandex jersey from Fabric.com. It's so light, I love wearing it, and I'm glad I have more of the white and a couple yards of black as well.
Great top!
Parting shot...I do love mother nature. Look who was in the guava tree when I got home from DD's house this week. A Cuban knight anole (anolis equestris). While not a native species, they're not considered invasive - the only native they eat is the palmetto bug, and we love them for it!
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A big one at about 18" long!
He's actually a bit of a jewel, since about 80% of the local anole population died in the 2010 freeze.
He's behind the orchid, hard to see. Ciao! Coco