Introducing the Ruby Top

I'm currently working on two (OK, after the response to this post, maybe three) new women's patterns, the first of which will be going into testing very soon! The newest one is called the "Ruby Dress and Top Sewing Pattern" and is based on the Arrow Dress that got such a positive response from everyone when I posted it a couple of months ago. It's a simple design, and it's so easy to sew! The pattern will include both a dress and a top length. I'm really excited about it, and I hope other people will be excited to sew it, too!!

This print (on the lower half) is part of the "Indian Summer" collection from Sarah Watson for Art Gallery fabrics. The entire line is absolutely adorable, but I really like this modern triangle-based design, especially in this lovely shade of blue-green. I made the yoke out of a white voile, so it would be a bit on the sheer side.

Even though this particular fabric falls into the "quilting cotton" category which generally is OK (but not fantastic) when it comes to sewing garments, I have to say that Art Gallery prints their fabrics on one of the most lovely, lightweight, smooth cotton substrates out there. I am actually starting to avoid many of the quilting cottons on the market right now, because they are terribly beefy-thick and drape poorly when made into clothing. Art Gallery's cottons, though, have the unique characteristic of being soft, light, and silky both when you purchase them AND after you wash them. This is truly a rare thing, since most other quilting cottons lose those features once they go through the wash. Much to my chagrin, may I add, since I often buy quilting prints hoping to make them into clothes. I promised at one point to write a whole post about quilting cottons, so I'll put together my list of favorite quilting cottons when it comes to sewing garments soon.

Anyway, I love my new top! Look for the Ruby Dress pattern soon!!!