ITS September Spotlight Blogtour

Wow, where is 2019 going? September already?! It's definitely starting to feel autumnal here in the UK with the winds picking up, temperatures dropping and darker evenings drawing in.  So for most it's time to sew all the sweaters, coats and jeans, of which I have plenty planned.  

​We have just received a wedding invite for a November wedding though, so instead, my sewing has been focussing on making myself an outfit warm enough for cooler weather whilst still looking dressy enough for the occasion, fingers crossed I've managed!  

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​I am thrilled to be part of this September Spotlight Blogtour, hosted by Crystal Rice of Sewing Vortex  highlighting some of the older pattern releases from the Itch to Stitch catalogue.  

​We have so many talented bloggers this tour,  featuring a huge 28 {if I've counted correctly} of Itch to Stitch's older patterns so be sure to check out their stops for tonnes of inspiration

Don't forget to enter the rafflecopter giveaway below and see which patterns have the exclusive 25% off for the next 24 hours.

For the next 24 hours only staring 8am Eastern Time {1pm UK} it's the Carey, Zamora, Samara, Idyllwild, Orono, Davina, Salamanca and Envigado with the code 919itsblogtour25

​With 2 energetic, home educated forest loving children, dresses are often impractical day-to-day so when when it comes to occasions such as Weddings or Christenings, I like to wear dresses whenever possible.  

Looking through the {67 strong!!} Itch to Stitch catalogue to choose which patterns I wanted to sew up for the tour, I came across the Davina Dress.  Davina was released in August 2015 putting it among the first 10 patterns released. I had looked at it several times in the past and had upon checking my account had even bought the pattern in June 2017 but hadn't ever sewn it up..... 

​​Many of you know my love for the Marbella but I had a knit fabric in mind... I realised the Davina had a similar style and shape and could be what I was looking for! 

I think, honestly, I'd always been a little put off sewing Davina due to the bust gathering.  This is not a style or feature I am usually drawn to or have previously worn BUT, as with all other Itch to Stitch patterns I've sewn myself, however doubtful they'll suit me before I start, I haven't made one I don't love wearing yet so I set about preparing to sew it up. 

Fabric wise, the pattern recommends light to medium weight knit fabrics with at least 75% 4-way stretch.  Naturally, I'd chosen a pretty floral scuba fabric which didn't match the requirements (only 50% horizontal and minimal vertical stretch) but I was prepared to adjust a bit to make it work if needed.

Even though it is an older released pattern, it still features the super useful layers function so I could print out just the size 0 lines I needed, tape it together (27 pages) and cut it out very easily.  

​The bodice of Davina is lined which I wasn't expecting {I couldn't have looked at the photo very hard as there is no other way to get such clean finishes and no visible stitching!} and wasn't convinced a double scuba layer would work so used some thin cotton lycra from my scraps box for the lining. 

Originally I was planning to omit the pockets (how to instructions are included) due to fabric limitations and add short sleeves but when I tried the sleeveless bodice on for size, quickly decided I wanted it just as it was {I'd sort a jacket/cardigan out instead} and then had enough fabric to do the pockets as well. 

Sewing it together was actually very straightforward, the "trickiest" parts being the bust gathering, understitching {the neckline, armholes and pockets} and keeping the fabric out of the way of the stitches when sewing the 'burrito roll' clean finish so I would say anybody who is confident sewing knit fabrics and following the detailed illustrated instruction could sew this up.

I love this dress, as does my husband and I keep trying to figure out if it beats my Marbellas but the jury is still out there, obviously I'll need to make more to decide that ;)

Being scuba, perhaps I should have sized up 1 {like the pattern says to if stretch requirements are not sufficient} or put a side zipper in as it would have made it slightly easier to get on/off but that was down to my choice {read....not reading the instructions fully before cutting...oops!} but it is still very comfortable to wear and although snugger to get on/off than others, not impossible with a little wiggling haha!

So, because I decided on sleeveless, I took another look through the catalogue to find a nice smart occasion suitable outer layer.  I toyed with another La Paz, Lisbon and even a bolero style Aveiro but in the end settle for the more formal looking Salamanca Jacket adding just the right amount of formality, warmth and composure to finish the outfit suitable for a wedding.

Salamanca was released in March 2016, as part of a mini capsule with the Seville, Hepburn and Zamora.  It is a fully lined, raglan sleeved, button up cropped jacket.  I chose not to add the buttons/buttonholes as I will wear it open and didn't want to distract from the dress or make it too busy for this outfit.  

I used a slub dupion fabric and opted to use the matt/dull side as the right side and matching anti-static lining.  Whilst a more complex pattern than the Davina, it is not difficult as such for the quality of the finished garment.  For example, I will admit that I procrastinated getting started on the jacket and only bought the pattern Monday evening, the fabric Tuesday afternoon and took the photos of it finished on Wednesday evening after work! As is the case with most Itch to Stitch patterns, don't be put off thinking it is too hard to make as no matter the difficulty rating on the pattern, if you are determined to make it and take your time reading and following each step of the instructions you will be able to make it.

I hope you like my use of the Davina and Salamanca patterns, perhaps it has inspired you to sew these up, perhaps even for a wedding you are going to or maybe motivated you to dig out some of your older sewing patterns and give them a new breath of life?  Please do go look at the other blogs in the tour and our generous tour sponsors.

Good luck with the prize draw and happy sewing until next time :) 

​Itch to Stitch is offering 25% off for the patterns being highlighted in the blogs each day. There is a daily discount code for this offer. The code will be valid for 24 hours 8am-8am Eastern Time. If a code is used outside the 24 hour period, it will reflect a $0 discount on the order. Here is a breakdown of the code and the patterns included for each day.:

1. Monday Sept 16th: 916itsblogtour25
   1. Hepburn, Mila, Vientiane, Aveiro, Davina, Newport, Medellin
2. Tuesday Sept 17th: 917itsblogtour25
   1. Busan, Anza, Emily, Jacqueline, Liana, Nottingham, Sequoia, Medellin
3. Wednesday Sept 18th: 918itsblogtour25
   1. North Point, Irena, La Paz, Jacqueline, Mnt View, Paulina
4. Thursday Sept 19th: 919itsblogtour25
   1. Carey, Zamora, Samara, Idyllwild, Orono, Davina, Salamanca, Envigado
5. Friday Sept 20th: 920itsblogtour25
   1. Tierras, Mnt View, Samara, Marbella, Liana, Zamora, Salamanca

Here are the Bloggers for the ITS September Spotlight Itch to Stitch Blog Tour

September 16th 

Sewing Vortex, mahlicadesigns, Katie Sews Things, Sewing with Sarah, Flaxfield Sewing

September 17th 

Sewsewilse, replicatethendeviate, Needles to Say, Sewing with d, madebymanagir

September 18th 

Jot Designs, Auschick Sews, itsewcolorful, Sewn by Lone

September 19th 

Prairie Girl Knits, happilysewnafter, Back40life, MeMade, La Casa Cactus

September 20th 

Sweet Mama Life, Sewing Scientist, The Petite Sewist, Liviality, Buttons and Bobbins

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visit our Sponsors and enter our Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win one of 2 amazing prize packages:

Prize # 1
Itch to Stitch: 3 PDF patterns of choice

Raspberry Creek Fabrics: $100 Store Credit
D&H Fabrics Co: $50 Store Credit
Simply By Ti: Prize of $20 Store Credit

So Sew English Fabrics: Prize of $40 Store Credit
Sly Fox Fabrics: $25 Store Credit

Prize #2
Itch to Stitch: 3 PDF patterns of choice
Beautiful Textiles: $100 Store Credit
D&H Fabrics Co: $50 Store Credit
Surge Fabric Shop: $20 Store Credit
Knitpop: $50 Knitcoin Credit

​Affiliate links are included throughout this post marked with GREEN TEXT it costs you nothing extra but means I get a few cents if you buy the pattern after clicking through.  I would love it if you could use them if this post has inspired you but feel free to navigate there yourself if you prefer! All opinions expressed on my blog are entirely my own. Thanks, Sarah