Since I was young, I’ve mainly built my wardrobe on bright neon colors and big, fun prints – usually florals. However, I’ve always really loved the simplicity of a good black and white stripe. Two of my all-time favorite sweaters that I’ve owned, both of which are still in my closet today, were black and white striped. I love that it is a combination of a classic print and classic, neutral colors but it still offers something a little more bold and interesting than your solid black or white.
It wasn’t surprising that as soon as I laid my eyes on this fabric, a sweater popped into my head. I love the True Bias – Nikko pattern, and I’ve now made 2 sleeveless dresses and one long-sleeved top version. It is such a fantastic pattern – it is flattering no matter what shape my body is fluctuating through at the time (this was my favorite dress when I was pregnant – no alterations required!), I always feel very chic in it, and it is super comfortable. I had recently sewn a Nikko in another more structured rib knit, and was excited to make another top up in this softer, drapier rib knit.
This is a Lady McElroy fabric – while I first fell in love with the bright colors and fun prints of the Lady McElroy line of cotton lawns, I’ve now tried out many different substrates and continue to equate this name to high quality fabric! I knew before this fabric ever arrived that it would be fantastic, and I was not disappointed. Despite having a light, drapey quality to it, the white stripes are still opaque – even when stretched over the curves of the body. It is a very soft fabric, thanks to the viscose content, and balances nicely between hugging the curves and gliding over them… Which was a blessing for me in these photos! I’d pulled this outfit together and placed it in my car a week or so before getting these photos, in hopes that I could stop on the way home from work one day and snap some shots. I did not take into account that my 15-week pregnant belly would be a little bigger than my 14-week pregnant belly… Let’s just say that these high-waisted black skinny jeans might be retiring until my post-partum days!
The Nikko Top is always a winner in my books – you can see the previous versions I’d mentioned here, here, here, and here. I’ve actually had another olive green version of the sleeveless dress cut out since my LAST pregnancy, and it just keeps getting forgotten. Maybe I’ll finally get around to making it for this pregnancy? No matter which version you choose to sew up, it comes together quickly and isa satisfying sew that could easily be completed in an afternoon. It’s a good one for when you need a sewing win!
I was very excited to try out a new thread on this top – the Mettler Seraflex thread! Mettler kindly sent me a few different colors of this thread to try out, and I’ve only had the pleasure of using it once so far. The Seraflex thread is an elastic thread with both stretch and recovery, and is meant to be used in both the needle and the bobbin. Unlike wooly nylon, the thread does not get fuzzy, but remains smooth – it also shrinks back into place after being stretched (the recovery!). This means that you can sew your KNIT fabrics with a standard STRAIGHT stitch! What?! Sounds too good to be true, right? It isn’t! While I constructed the majority of this top on my serger, I used my black Seraflex thread to sew a single line of straight stitch top stitching along the hem and sleeves, and it is holding up so well. I’m a big fan of this thread after only 2 uses – if you’re interested in learning more, check it out here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4Hzx49tQpw 🙂
Top: handmade by me
Fabric: Minerva – Lady McElroy Viscose Rib Knit Fabric Black & White
Pattern: True Bias – Nikko Top and Dress
Key Ingredients:
Brother XR9500PRW Sewing Machine
Brother 1034D Overlocker
Schmetz Jersey Ballpoint Needles
Dahle 36×48 Self-healing Cutting Mat
Heat & Bond Soft Stretch (Lite)
Thanks for reading my thoughts on this make and sharing in our exciting little announcement! The fabric used for this post was generously provided to me as a Minerva Brand Ambassador in exchange for me sharing my experience with the fabric on the Minerva website; the pattern used here was purchased by me! The words and opinions expressed throughout this post are my own, as always. Links provided throughout this post may be affiliate links – if you choose to purchase any products through these links, I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you. This simply helps me justify the costs of my sewing habit and the time it takes to share it with you!! Happy Sewing!!
- XX Elizabeth
