My husband and I recently took a trip to Sweden. The weather was cool and called for a moderate amount of rain so I packed lots of layers, including my new Cher Knit Top in Minerva Core Range Linen Viscose Sweater Knit. I felt both comfortable and stylish in it, a travel win! Head over to my Minerva profile to read all about this make and purchase your own linen viscose here.

I'm thrilled with my new Lily Ski Pant, but boy was it a journey getting to the finish line! In the spring of 2018, just after starting my sewing blog and associated Instagram account, I was selected as a winner of Style Arc's "International Women's Day" giveaway and won two free patterns of my choice. I love the style lines of Style Arc patterns, but didn't know they were notoriously thin on assembly instructions until after selecting a few very detailed patterns to try.

With minimal instructions, I was afraid to cut into my pant leg to insert the false zip pockets. I ended up taking the whole project to an open sew at my local fabric shop, The French Seam, where my instructor helped me decipher the instructions and encouraged me to take the necessary steps. With her help I was able to insert both of the false pockets and the yoke, the first time I had done either!


Even though I was happy with the progress I had made I was overwhelmed by the project and set it aside for well over a year. I'm so glad #thegreatmodulesewalong came along and encouraged me to complete this unfinished project, because I love these new pants. And the gray and black knit coordinates with nearly everything in my closet.

The pattern calls for 3/8" seam allowances, so when I pulled the project back out I pinned the remaining leg seams together at 3/8" and tried the pants on. They were extremely comfortable so I decided to proceed without making any adjustments in the width. I hadn't inserted a zip fly for many years, and couldn't have done it without this Tilly and the Buttons instructional video. It was a lifesaver! I decided to hand sew the interior waistband and needed to reduce the pant length by 4".

As I said above, I just love the Lily Ski Pant. Made from a forgiving knit they were easy to fit and are extremely comfortable to wear. I could certainly see myself mastering this pattern and making a variety of Lily Ski Pants. However, I would not recommend this pattern of beginners.



Time estimate: 24+ hours
Size: 8
Fabric: Knit ponte fabric "tweed"
Care instructions: cold wash, hang dry

Cost to make:
pattern: gifted to me, ($9.23 value)
fabric: $25
zippers: $7
*used button, stabilizer, and thread from my stash
TOTAL: $32

P.S. Stay tuned for my full module, coming next week!

Whipping up this Cher knit sweater was so rewarding. It was quick to make (I was able to do the whole thing on my serger!) and I love the final look. Thankfully I was able to finish it while we still had a bit of cold weather.


I used the Cher knit dress pattern from Style Arc to make this sweater, modifying the pattern slightly by changing the bottom skirt portion of the pattern to a simple waistband. To do this I stood my tape measure on its side and measured the bottom portion of the top. Using this measurement I cut two rectangles 6 inches deep, sewed them together at both short sides (right sides together), and finished the sweater by sewing this band to the bottom of the top portion of the dress (right sides out.) Style Arc's instructions and directional diagram was a breeze to use and easy to modify.


Style Arc describes this design as an "avant-garde" style and I love its architectural design. While I do love this make, it didn't end up being as close of a replicate to Meghan Markle's white sweater as I had hoped. I plan to make it again in a white, lighter weight sweater knit and will bring up the hemline a few inches.

My biggest learning from this make was how important it is to cut pattern pieces on the grainline, ensuring that the stretch of knit garments goes around the body and not vertically, which could cause a heavy garment to pull downward. In patterns like this mis-cutting the fabric can make it very difficult your head through the small neck hole. I would know!




I get a lot of compliments wearing this sweater and always feel great wearing it. I will certainly be making more versions in the future!

Time estimate: 3 hours
Size: 8
Fabric used: Fuzzy Gray and White Chunky Wool Knit, wool blend, 1.5 yards
Care instructions: dry-clean for best results

Cost to make:
Cher Knit Dress Pattern and Shipping: $16.50
Fuzzy Gray and White Chunky Wool Knit: 1.5 yards, $40.50
*used thread from my stash
TOTAL: $57.00