letsgosew.com
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up for Sewing News, Freebies, & Updates
  • Order Just Jackets Embroidery Collection
  • Just Jackets FAQ
  • Order Wrapped in Embroidery Book by Joanne Banko
  • Joanne Banko's Blog
  • It's Sew Easy TV Online Blog
  • Machine Embroidery Survey
  • IT'S SEW EASY TV Videos & Bonus Files
    • NEW! It's Sew Easy TV Series 2100
    • It's Sew Easy TV_Series 2000
    • It's Sew Easy TV_Series 1500
    • It's Sew Easy TV - Series 1600
    • It's Sew Easy TV_Series 1700
    • It's Sew Easy TV Series 1800
    • It's Sew Easy TV Series 1900
    • NEW! Superstar Sewing Stitches
    • NEW! Classy Textured Cape
    • NEW! Baby Bath Wrap
    • NEW! Detachable Collar
    • Sew a Swimsuit
    • Machine Embroidered Garments
    • Kimono Blouses
    • Custom Covered Hangers
    • Sewing Beautiful Belts
    • Felted Flower Hat Trim
    • Sew a Waffle Weave Robe
    • Learn about Couching accessories!
    • Turn a Pashmina into a Trendy Topper
    • Machine Embroidered Reverse Applique
    • Machine Embroidered Knit Dress
    • Use Non-Stick Foot to sew a Custom Luggage Tag
    • Serge & Sew Broomstick Skirt
    • Machine Embroidered Western Jacket
    • Machine Embroidered Bobbin Work Pashmina
    • Embroidered Pajamas
    • Sewing Pearls and Sequins
    • Learn how to use the Fringe Foot
    • Quilted Pinwheel Patchwork Tote
    • Machine Embroidered Lace for Lingerie
    • Sewing Circles with a Circular Attachment
    • Sew with the Edge Joining Foot
    • Re-style Tops for Little Girls
    • Short Style Tip- Blouse Embellishment
    • Learn how to make pretty piping using the Piping Foot
    • Embellish with the Three Slot Cording Foot
    • Facebook Live Interview 12-4-2018
    • Machine Embroidery - Starter Tips
  • FREE Tutorials and Tip Sheets
    • NEW! Embroidery Placement Positioning Tips
    • Free Embroidered Snowflake Coasters
    • Tip sheet - 5 Reasons Quilters Need A Serger
    • Free In-the-Hoop Patch Pocket Design
    • Serging versus Sewing
    • FREE Project-Embroidered Gift Tag with Gift Bag
    • Tip Sheet - Pillow Pointers
    • Tip sheet_Sew Straight Laser for Seams
    • Embelishment Tips from dime V.111
    • Tip sheet - Shannon Embrace Double Gauze
    • Tip sheet - Fun with Fonts
    • Fabric Tip Sheet- Sewing Faux Suede
    • Tip sheet for Sewing & Embroidering with Metallic Thread
    • Fleece Ruana Pattern: As seen on PBS It's Sew Easy TV
    • Fabric Tip Sheet - Crepe Back Satin
    • Fabric Tip Sheet-Sewing Slinky Type Knit
    • Fabric Tip Sheet - Fleece
    • Fancy Footwork Tipsheet - About the Walking Foot
    • Fancy Footwork Tip Sheet_Basic Appliqué
    • Fancy Footwork Tip sheet - Ruffler Attachment
    • Fancy Footwork Tip Sheet - Narrow Hems with a Standard Foot
    • Fancy Footwork Tip Sheet - Non Stick Foot
    • Tip sheet - Machine Embroidery Pattern Connection Resources
    • Tip Sheet - Machine Set up for Shirring
    • Tip sheet - Snowman and Target Markers
    • Tip Sheet for Printing on Fabric
    • Tip sheet-Five Ways to Finish Fleece Blankets
    • T-Shirt Transformation Tutorial
    • Project- Serge a Little Girl's Sweet Summer Dress
    • Tip Sheet for Fleece Frame Shape Appliqué
    • Tip Sheet - Bobbin Work Sewing & Embroidery
    • Tip Sheet - Custom Covered Buttons
    • Tip Sheet - Liquid Stabilizers
    • Tip sheet - Appliqué with Brother XV8500D & ScanNCut
    • Project - Sheer Chiffon Wrap
    • Project - Pearl Trimmed Candle Ring
    • Tip Sheet -Mitered Satin Blanket Binding
    • Fabric Tip Sheet_Knit Know How
    • Tool School Tip Sheets
    • ITH Project Planner
  • As seen in DiME Magazine - Photo Gallery
  • Sewing and Embroidery Events
  • About Joanne Banko

COLOR BLOCK TOP IN BEAUTIFUL BLACK AND WHITE

7/26/2015

2 Comments

 
Picture
Volume 93, the July/August issue of DiME, Designs in Machine Embroidery is hot off the press! This is the "official" black & white issue with a majority of the articles featuring garments, crafts, and home decor stitched in black and white. You'll find a mixture of embroidery on quick to stitch blanks and on items that are sewn from scratch. This issue includes lots of fun and interesting projects to learn from, that's for sure!

Are you a regular reader of the magazine? Did you know that subscribers are treated to a FREE digital version each month in addition to their hard copy? Now you can relax and read on most of your mobile devices too! If you'd like to pick up one magazine issue at a time I suggest you visit your local sewing machine shop to see if they carry Designs in Machine Embroidery.
Picture
The last time I embroidered for the black and white issue was a while back, in Volume 69. 

For this article I  used Indygo Junction's Garden Party Pullover pattern to stitch a warm weather blouse.

Picture
This top is cool and comfortable and of course goes great with my favorite wardrobe basic - black pants. The embroidery designs on this blouse are from the Little Black Tee collection from DiME.

When I got the call that there was another B&W issue in the works I jumped at the chance to participate. In preparation for this current issue I mulled over several ideas for my all time favorite color combo. I settled on a T-shirt top that I thought would be up to date style wise, but also be a classic garment one could wear for some time to come. 

In my Classic, Chic, and Timeless article you'll find lots of stitching tips and pattern pointers, including "how to" steps for creating the color block sections. Feel free to substitute your own favorite combination of high contrast colors. The main idea here is to use darker colors for the side and sleeves. The result is a slimming, "fool the eye" figure enhancement trick.
Picture
The featured T-shirt pattern (V8151) is one of Sandra Betzina Today's Fit Vogue patterns. This top includes a dart, which may seem unusual for a T-shirt but this makes a huge difference in achieving a flattering fit. Darts are essential for fitting any body area with curves. Without a dart the fullness bunches up somewhere on the shirt, usually in the armhole area. While this may not be objectionable for a really casual top, a darted T-shirt makes for a much better looking garment and elevates it to the status of a top rather than just a tee. 

This pattern is designed for knits and knits can vary in stretch factor. To fine-tune the fit I added an inch of ease to the arm muscle area of the sleeves, a common alteration for me. For the rest of the pattern I went by my usual bust, waist, and hip measurements. The Today's Fit pattern group has an entirely different sizing standard when compared with a typical Vogue pattern. In my experience Sandra's Today's Fit patterns run true to size. Aside from great innovative styling, that's another reason I like them. Plus, inside the pattern you'll find special tips written by Sandra herself.
Picture
The two coordinating embroidery designs were carefully selected from the Wrapped In Embroidery design CD. Although I am very fond of all the designs from the book, I think I've used and re-used these two motifs more than any other in the collection. They are shown in a multi color thread scheme in the book and this was the first time I thought to stitch them in solid black. They proved to be just the right (classic) elements for the yoke and front border design.
Picture
You'll find that a well fitting T-shirt style pattern is worth its weight in gold, so be sure to make a trial garment first. It's important to take time for this, especially when you're adding the extra effort of machine embroidered embellishment. Adding embroidery takes a bit more time but this puts the garment into what I consider designer category. This rendition proves that  a  Tee top can go beyond casual and flow into an almost dressy mode. Armed with a refined pattern you can make a T-shirt in almost the time it takes to go shopping for one that fits! 

Isn't that why many of us love to sew . . .  we get "WHAT we want, WHEN we want it, HOW we want it" . . . and gain something unique and special at the same time! 
2 Comments
Eileen Roche link
7/31/2015 05:23:16

Thanks for the shout out Joanne! We love having you in the pages of Designs in Machine Embroidery.

Reply
Joanne Banko link
7/31/2015 08:53:28

Thank you back to you Eileen! I count it a great privilege to write for the best embroidery magazine in the whole wide world! You make it possible for so many embroidery enthusiasts to be inspired through the pages of DiME!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Author:

    Joanne Banko
    Brother Ambassador


    I'd love to stay in touch with you!

    Click Here
    and Sign up for
    ​Sewing News, plus tips, tricks, and notifications about new blog posts.

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    October 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014

    *As a believer in full disclosure, I'd like you to know that Blog posts may contain affiliate links for products and services I know and trust. Purchasing items through a link marked * results in a small commission for me, with no extra charges for you.

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

© Copyright 2023 by Joanne Banko. All rights Reserved