January is for resolutions…or broken resolutions. By the time February comes along, I am in need of a stiff drink and a date night or two. Fortunately, Valentine’s Day helps my husband and I focus on us a little bit more than usual. This year I was able to sew up my outfits for our more frequent February Date Nights. I am back again today as a part of Sewing by Ti Blog Tours to bring you another Date Night outfit.
Recently I have spent a lot of time working on dresses, but honestly I prefer tops and jeans most of the time. And…I have a huge pattern buying problem. I buy a lot of patterns when they release (we all get caught up in the hype sometimes!), and then I never get around to sewing them up. Since I tackled the Megan from Made for Mermaids earlier this month, I decided to sew up the Swagger Sweater from George & Ginger. This fun top pattern caught my eye at the release, but I could never find the right fabric. But when this liverpool from Pretty Posh Prints came in, I knew it would make a beautiful Swagger!
I love a pattern with good coverage. This pattern covers my backside but draws some interest to the area as well. The top consists of essentially two circles skirts attached to the bodice. The seam hits lower than my natural waist, but it still hits at a flattering level that accentuates my smaller waist.
I managed to make a size L (14) in G&G with just 2 yards of fabric! I usually try to stick with patterns that I can make my size out of 2 yards since I typically order only 2 yards of a fabric at a time to keep my costs down.
The top takes a lot of hemming, but with liverpool I find hemming to be a lot easier since it does not curl. Also, the curve is gradual which makes hemming easier as well. I parked my ironing board in view of the TV and tackled the hem. I hemmed using a twin needle on my sewing machine since my coverstitch machine has been sitting in the “save for later” section of our Amazon account since before Christmas.
I love the Swagger in this floral. I am not the girliest of women, but I thought the floral would be a nice pair to the momma ruffles. It makes me feel perfectly womanly. My husband expressed how much he loved this top on me, too! Hubby approved is a victory in my household!
I have some bunching in the underarm region, but I should add some length to the armscye before cutting next time. I am long through the torso, especially from my natural waist and up. I find that when I work with liverpool, ponte de Roma, or scuba with minimal vertical stretch I should really add length to the armscye to account for the lack of vertical stretch. With a good 4 way stretch kit, I can get away with most patterns normal shoulder seam to underarm seam without adjusting.
In the tutorial, all hemming was completed prior to the final construction of the top. This meant I had to be extremely careful with matching the bottom seams while serging. I hate saving the hemming until the last step; therefore, method worked well for me.
Overall, the Swagger Sweater from Kristi at George & Ginger is the perfect dressy top addition to my wardrobe. The pattern has some ease to hide my midsection and the double circle skirt allowed for enough room for my hips without grading out! I would love to find a coordinating ponte or scuba in one of the blue or purple hues to be able to pair this with a pencil skirt. A few of the testers for the pattern used pencil skirts for their tester photos, and I loved it! Kristi’s patterns add a little spice to my date night wardrobe. I have already fallen in love with the Drama Dress and have a few of Kristi’s other patterns. Maybe I will sew up a Traverse Tee for my next date night!
Now, it’s time for a giveaway! Enter the rafflecopter below to win a free single pattern from G&G (up to a $10 value, no collections or bundles). If you haven’t tried George & Ginger, now is the perfect time! Entries will be accepted until the end of the month when a random winner will be chosen!
If you’re like me, you’re going to love all of the inspiration my fellow bloggers have for you. Be sure to check back all February long to see what patterns work for us!
Wednesday, February 1st: Sewing By Ti
February 2nd: Crafty Like a Rox
February 3rd: Sewing By Ti
Sunday, February 5th: Embrace Everyday
February 6th: Tenille’s Thread
February 7th: Robynne and the Bobbin
February 9th: Sewingly, Michelle
February 10th: Sewing By Ti
Sunday, February 12th: Embrace Every Day
February 13th: A Phoenix Risen
February 14th: Creative Counselor
February 15th: Creamer and Chaos
February 16th: Everything Your Mama Made and More
February 17th: Sewing By Ti
February 18th: Sew Like a Sloth
Sunday, February 19th: Very Blissful
February 20th: Tenille’s Thread
February 21st: Mamoose Handmade
February 22nd: Rebel and Malice
February 23rd: Margarita on the Ross
February 24th: Sewing By Ti
February 25th: On Wednesday We Sew
Sunday, February 26th: The Fairy Dust Bin
February 27th: Sewing By Ti
February 28th: Sew Haute
Until next time….sewing and sippin’,
Stacey Ross
margaritaontheross.com 
This is one of the very few G & G patterns I don’t own. This post makes me want it!! So cute!
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Yes! I found it very flattering!
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Love this!
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The floral is beautiful for this top. I haven’t sewn anything from G&G yet. Now I want this pattern.
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Very cute! Could the torso be lengthened so the ruffles are a little lower? And does this come with a babysitter for date night? Ha ha.
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Now that would be a great contest! Winner gets a babysitter!
As far as the length, I did lengthen for my height. I’m not sure how the ruffles would sit if it was any lower. It may end up a little too Cinderalla’s evil stepsisters if it was much lower and if you have some curves in the backside.
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I love all G&G patterns! Thanks for the chance!
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My collection of G&G patterns is growing!
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I would love the Riki blazer if I wanted another pattern from G&G.
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It’s on my list, too!
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This is such a cute shirt! Super flattering and I love that it fits in 2 yards! Id love to make this out of a RS for summer! Also, get a kids version?? Does that exsist?
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It took a little planning, but I did squeak it out of 2 yards! Yes, there is a girl’s version!!
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Love this top – you did a great job! I have one sitting in the cutting pile…just have to take the leap!
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The construction was very simple!
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Beautiful
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Thanks, Darla!
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I’m torn between the vacation dress and super sleeve top. I wear dresses almost daily, but it’d be fun to learn different sleeves.
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I think the sleeves fit most of her bodices if I remember correctly?!?
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I’m not sure which pattern I would chose yet.
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Too many cute ones to choose from!
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This is beautiful! I don’t own any G&G patterns yet, but I love her work and am looking forward to trying one of her’s! I think this top would be a great start! I am a jean and shirt kinda girl also
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She has a lot of cute top patterns!
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I love the details of this top! And I’m with you on the two yards of fabric for tops–fabric buying is so fun but so expensive.
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Yes! Buying a 3 yard cut makes me cringe!
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I’d get the drama dress for sure. I do love your swagger though!!
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I love the Drama!!!
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That mint color is so popular this year. What great fabric.
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Thanks for the fun blog tour!
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This is such a pretty top and the way you described it and the pictures make me want one! It looks great on you 🙂
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You should try it, Karla!
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Yours is so pretty!!! I haven’t sewn mine yet. I’d love to get the mini swagger for my girls!
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This would be adorable for a little mini me!
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I love this pattern!!! I think I will get this one too!!! It’s gorgeous and I love your fabric!!
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Thank you! I love working with liverpool. Brenda at Pretty Posh Prints usually keeps a few in stock!
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Lovely !!!!
I really need to make myself one.
I’ve been eyeing the girl’s drama dress for my daughter since the release. I have the ladies. I’m thinking cute mommy and me dresses lol.
The new one they’ve been previewing looks great too !!!
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I am jealous of all you with little girls!
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I’ve purchased this pattern but have yet to sew it. Now I’m super excited to try it out! Your top is adorable!
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Can’t wait to see yours!
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I would find it hard to pick between the Swagger Sweater, the Ricki Blazer and the Vacation Dress.
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All great choices!
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I would find it hard to choose between the Swagger Sweater, the Riki Dress and the Vacation Dress.
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Pretty sure I need to own the swagger I can’t believe I don’t already own it.
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You should, Cindy!
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It looks nice on you, love it! I have tons of G&G patterns but I left this one out, I feel like the ruffles is a bit too much for me lol maybe it’s time to try it out to see! Thank you for the chance!
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I wasn’t sure about the ruffle either, but I really like how they turned out!
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Such a cute top! I’m not a ruffle gal, so if I won, I think I’d try the Sweet Pleat or the Capsule Tunic. Glad to have found your blog!
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Both excellent choices!
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Stunning! I love it
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Thanks, Maxine!
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Love the colors in that floral and it makes a beautiful Swagger Sweater! If I had to choose a pattern, I think I would pick the Riki Blazer or Drama Dress!
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The Riki Blazer might be next for me too!
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