Mixing up the Ravenna

If you didn’t already know, it is Selfish Sewing Week hosted by the lovely Rachael of Imagine Gnats and Kollabora.  This is a week where we celebrate sewing for ourselves.  So set aside the projects for friends, kids, customers 🙂 and sew something everyday purely for yourself.  I will be participating this week and I look forward to seeing everything you are sewing.

Rachael is also hosting a giveaway on her blog where you can win 40 patterns from a great group of indie designers as well as a gift certificate to Indiesew.  My Ravenna pattern is among those being offered so throw your name in for a chance to win it.

Okay now lets get to what I sewed yesterday for day 1 of Selfish Sewing Week.  A knit Ravenna!

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When designing this pattern I knew I wanted it to have some versatility.  As soon as I made the first woven shirt all I could think about way making it in knit.  The oversized style just screamed comfort, especially made in french terry knit like this one.

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Not only did I mix up the pattern by sewing it in knit but I also decided to make a couple other changes to the final shirt which leaves you with a much more simple top while still having some of the fun details.

Enter the ruffleless Ravenna!  You still have the fun exposed zipper and the scoop back but a little less fuss by leaving off the ruffles.

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I have to tell you that I am in love.  This has quickly become my favourite piece of clothing I have ever sewn myself.  The combination of cozy knit and pop of colour in the zipper, the hi-lo hem and elbow length sleeves is perfection.

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With one quick and easy change to the pattern you can also make your own knit version.  All you have to do is go down one size, I know it’s that easy!  This will eliminate gaping at the back and keep it from sliding off your shoulders.

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Once you have done that have fun with it like I did.  Leave off the ruffles or do an extra long zipper.  You can also do a simple hem on the sleeves instead of using the sleeve cuff.  The possibilities are endless and I want you to have fun with this pattern.

 

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So if you were on the fence about this pattern or just thought that the style wasn’t really something you would wear I encourage you to look at the pattern again.  You can make a few little changes that will leave you with a completely different shirt, while still retaining the key elements that make it the Ravenna.

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You can still get the pattern for $9 in the shop through the end of the week, just use code first100 at checkout.  Don’t forget to use #ravennatop and tag me #straightstitchdesigns in your pictures, I want to see your lovely creations!

12 comments

  1. Annika says:

    oh, another super beautiful version. i have many stuff on my sewing list right now (due to the abilmente thing), but when I’m back from the fair, this is going to happen – like really, really soon afterwards 😉
    btw: are you still planning on doing a blog tour?

    • admin says:

      I am so glad you like it! Can’t wait to see your version. I am still hoping to do a blog tour, I just need to sit down and get some details together. You will be the first person I contact when I actually have those details 🙂

    • Kimberly Payne says:

      Thank you Donna! Your review is so great, thank you for the kind words. I really appreciated all your help making this pattern better.

  2. Kara says:

    Did you bind the neck when making it in a knit, or did you just fold over the edge and hem? I bought a lovely dense knit that I am eager to make up into a Ravenna.

    • Kimberly Payne says:

      I went ahead and just folded over the edge and hemmed it with a double needle, but you could also use a knit strip and bind it like the instructions say for woven. With a dense knit it might be easier to just fold it over and hem with a double needle or coverstitch machine.

      Can’t wait to see your version.

  3. Bridgett Pierce says:

    Where did you come up with the name? I’m curious because my sister’s name is Ravenna and we have never seen it anywhere else spelled the same lol

    • Kimberly Payne says:

      I live in Seattle and all of my patterns are neighborhoods around here. Ravenna is a neighborhood just north of The University of Washington.

    • Kimberly Payne says:

      It is so much fun to see what people can do with a pattern. Just wait because there are even more amazing remixes coming up. Thanks for purchasing the pattern!

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