This post could also be titled "One Trick Pony." I have made a million Briars - like these two, or this pink one. It's true. Like the Flashback Tee pattern, it's my go-to sew when I don't have much time, fabric or energy for sewing. It's a fun, quick project and it always reminds me of why I like to sew for myself.
Megan Nielsen's patterns are written with the beginner in mind. Plus, she has a whole complement of tutorials with pictures on her blog to help you every step of the way. Can you hear me, local lady friends, who are wanting to get sewing?
This time around I used a bamboo knit from my favorite St. Paul brick and mortar, Treadle. I love a bamboo knit. They are unbelievably soft, stretchy and non-pilling. I've been using it for kids clothes for years and garments made with it have long outlasted the others. You can see a bit of it in purple that I used for cuffs, sleeves and neckbands here. It doesn't curl up on you when you're sewing with it so it's really easy to work with. I would say that it behaves similarly to an interlock knit but I think that it's stretchier.
I sized up the pattern this time because I wanted the top to be cozy and to slip on over dresses. I added leather elbow patches and cuffs to the sleeves (the pattern calls for folding over and stitching the hems down with a double needle). I left the chest pocket off.
Have you sewn with bamboo? Have you sewn a briar? Leave a link if you like, I'd love to see it.
