Sew Cheap July Free Pattern Review: Sew Loft Outfit

I'm generally quite excited to post about my monthly Sew Cheap free pattern make and review. This month, not so much. For my July Sew Cheap make I initially chose the Free Diana Cami pattern from Sew Loft. The singlet is a very simple, no dart boxy shape with a deep neckline and bias binding finish for straps and neckline. The cami come in sizes XS to SL (bust: 33" - 45").

So, I chose a crazy bright fabric for a flimsy skimpy singlet and then tried to take photos of it in the middle of winter. Clearly this singlet is more appropriate for the warmer months. I haven't shown my bare legs and arms in so long; I feel I may as well be starkers in these photos! To help me feel better about this incredibly bright top I decided to make a very boring (in a good way!) grey Sew Loft Karina Knit Pencil Skirt as well. The Karina skirt is another free pattern: a fully lined knit skirt in sizes XS-XL.

First up the Diana Cami: The Diana Cami Pattern has just two pieces (a front and a back) which makes it an easy PDF print at home option. I graded my pattern from a size small at the bust to a medium waist/hips.

The pattern instructions are incredibly detailed. The constructions involves French seaming the side seams, hemming, bias binding around the entire neckline/armsyce, making spaghetti straps out of bias binding, and sewing on your straps. I made two changes to the pattern constructions: 1. I folded over and sewed the tops of the front and back neckline to create tunnel's to thread my straps through. 2. I bought 1.5m of presewn satin strapping instead of making my own. I threaded the straps through the back and front neckline tunnels and doubled them over to the back where I sewed the straps down.

This fabric is oh so bright and bold, not to mention it's quite a stiff, but light weight, cotton. I think the Diana cami would be much nicer in a drapey silk or rayon. Hopefully I'll get some wear from the cami, but it might have to wait till summer when I can throw it over denim shorts.The Diana Cami is advertised as easy and I would agree with that. The trickiest/most time consuming part will be making your bias binding straps and adjusting them to the right height.

Onto the Karina skirt: I cut a straight size medium and followed the instructions precisely. They were simple, short and easy to follow. I made the skirt in approx half an hour, and it only took that long because I had double needle dramas. The Karina skirt only has one pattern piece which is used from the main fabric, the lining fabric and for the front and back skirt. I suppose this shows just how forgiving knit fabric is!

The skirt is a little on the firmer side than my preference but the double layered fabric, from the lining, makes me feel more secure in it than other knit skirts I own. I'm wearing the skirt in these picture at waist height and it's very comfortable! I know I'll get plenty of wear from Karina. I've also styled it here for the current weather (i.e. I got cold!).

There are so many free multi-sized top and cami patterns around but fewer skirt patterns. I think this basic pattern is perfect addition to anyone's collection. The skirt is labelled as an 'Easy' - and it most definitely was!

If you like this post, check out my Sew Cheap: Top Tips,  Sew Cheap: Free Patterns and previous Sew Cheap posts.