Etno Blog Tour // Zsalya Top

Hello Friends! I am so happy to be a part of the blog tour for Etno, Pat Bravo’s new line from Art Gallery Fabrics. When Pat put out the call on her Instagram account looking for people to participate I happened to be up doing a middle of the night baby feeding. Immediately I sent an e-mail saying I would love to be involved! I was thrilled when I found out I was selected. I am a big fan of Art Gallery fabrics and I’ve used them for many of my sewing projects.  There are so many amazing prints to choose from and the fabrics are great quality. I was provided with a gorgeous voile, called Shore Remains Algae, to make the Zsalya Top from Kate and Rose patterns. I have been wanting to make this top for a while and I am so happy with how it turned out.

This flowy top has a unique crossover neckline with curved yokes in the front and back. There is an option for short or three-quarter sleeves, and I chose to make the longer length.  I love how the cuff is curved to mimic the crossover neck. The voile is the perfect weight for a top like this– it has just the right amount of drape for the gathering in the center front and back of the bodice.

I made a muslin to check the sizing of the top since there weren’t finished measurements given in the pattern.  My bust measurement fell between the size medium and large, so I ended up cutting right in between those two sizes. I felt like the shirt was a little big, but not big enough that I could size down to the medium. The pattern calls for 3/8″ seam allowances, but I decided to sew the final top with 1/2″ seams.  This brought it in just enough that it fits better, but is still relaxed and flowy.

I love the colors in this fabric. I am usually drawn to fabrics with light backgrounds and this is a great change for me. The turquoise and white stand out so nicely against the black background.  This top looks great with jeans but I think I’ll enjoy dressing it up with some slim black pants, too.  (That is something that needs to go on my to-sew list.  I don’t think I actually have any slim black pants in my closet!)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/teridodds/23852247385/in/dateposted-public/

When I received my fabric I was suprised to find that half yard cuts of two Etno quilting cottons were included.  Instead of stashing them away for later I decided to make a few quick, fun projects with them.  The first is this Scissors Keeper from the book Make It, Take It by Krista Hannebury.  I used the Etno fabric called Angle Inception Polar for the lining and the front pocket.  My main fabric was a plain linen/cotton blend and I embroidered a pair of scissors on the back to spruce it up a little bit.

I used the same two fabrics to make a storage bowl from this great pattern available at A Cuppa and A Catchup.  This is being used for a little diaper changing station in our family room.  I know I will be making more of these pretty bowls for storing things around the house.

I think my favorite project turned out to be this adorable bib and bonnet set I made for my 7 week old daughter, Caroline.  The bib is a free pattern from Nana Company and the bonnet is a free pattern from Purl Soho.  This quilting cotton called Sauvage Sky Artic was perfect for these two sweet patterns and it paired nicely with a polka dotted fabric that I had in my stash.  All she needs now is a coordinating dress and I may die of cuteness.

The Etno blog tour runs through April 18.  Be sure to check out yesterday’s feature, a cheery spring dress made by Rochelle at Lucky Lucille.  Lisa from  The Quilt Jam is sharing her creation tomorrow. You can find the full line up here on Pat’s blog. There have been some really gorgeous quilts made for the tour (and there is a free quilt pattern available here.)

Thanks so much for having me as part of your blog tour, Pat!  I had so much fun working with these lovely fabrics.

~Teri