Tested: Itch to Stitch Soller Top

Hello friends! I hope you’re having a wonderful summer! We have been so busy hiking, rock climbing, swimming, biking and playing that I’ve barely touched my sewing room since we came to Maine.

I had alllll these plans for what I was going to make, and then poof! Time has just flown by, and I haven’t gotten to half of it (I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way!). Happily though, I did manage to carve out a little space to make myself a new top using the recently released Itch To Stitch Soller pattern, and I’m glad I did.

This pattern appealed to me because of the feminine details- the little gathering element on the shoulder, the bound armholes, and the narrow V-neck add interest to my usual summer mom-iform tee.

The top hits at high hip, and looks great with a pair of high waisted leggings or jeans (or even a cute skirt) depending on how fancy you want to get. The pattern also includes a dress version, but I tend to prefer dresses with more waist shaping, so I haven’t tried it. It could be really cute though, with the right fabric and accessories.

Fabric & Pattern Details

I chose a light weight blue bamboo spandex from the Fabric Fairy for my top, and it was a perfect match for this pattern.

The gathers are made using clear elastic sewn along a line marked on the pattern (not a seam). You stretch the elastic (cut to a specified length) and then sew a small zig zag (lightening bolt stitch) along the elastic to create the gathers as the elastic “scrunches” back up- no need to distribute multiple lines of stitching! I really liked this method, and the elastic in the seam ensures the gathers don’t shift around.

The V neck is also easy to create, as the neckline is bound ( I used a single fold method, shown in this tutorial) and then the little V is created with a short line of straight stitching to form the point.

This part was a little fiddly- I highly recommend basting it first to make sure you get the point where you want it, so that you don’t have to unpick small stitches from lightweight fabrics (The perfectionist in me needed to re-do it about 5 times before I wast satisfied).

The arms are bound using the same method, and the cut really shows off the muscles I’ve been sculpting with rock climbing.

My arms are never something I’ve been particularly fond of, but I’m really proud of how strong they look here!

The only thing I would change about this pattern for next time is likely the length- while the high hip cut is cute, I find myself wanting to pull it down throughout the day, so I will probably add 2-3″ inches for my next one.

Cavallo Tights (aka Rock Climbing Pants)

The leggings in this post are the Greenstyle Cavallos (sewalong HERE), made with their “brushed yoga” fabric in ocean teal.

This fabric most closely replicates the one and only pair of RTW leggings that I’ve chosen to keep- my Athleta Salutation Stash Pocket Crops. Its lightly brushed, has great stretch, and has held up really well to a variety of activities, including abrasive rock walls.

I also found out that the pockets are perfect for climbing- if I eliminate the horizontal line of stitching that holds the phone up high, it can sink down to spot just above my knee, which doesn’t impede any of the deep bends or lunges I need to make as I work my way up a wall.

See what I mean?

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by CampingConnells (@campingconnells)


The photo on the website doesn’t do a very good job of showing the color accurately, but its a really lovely deep teal blue that leans a bit toward navy, and it pairs really well with the light blue top. I’m always wishing I had more solid colored leggings so I’m really happy to have these in my closet.

Travel Update!

And now for a little travel update:

We have been spending our summer near Acadia National Park, which is just stunning. This is one of those places we heard recommended repeatedly, so we took a chance and reserved a couple months here.

When we arrived we were immediately taken with the scenery, the weather and the plethora of things to do. We’ve hiked more trails than I can count, and the kids have gotten to be pros at packing their own trail lunches!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by CampingConnells (@campingconnells)


Cadillac Mouintain was a favorite- you have to get reservations to drive up, but hiking was free (and a fantastic workout!)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by CampingConnells (@campingconnells)

We even did the “Beehive” trail- not for the faint of heart, as it has a section with steep drop-offs, but a great view!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by CampingConnells (@campingconnells)

We’ve tested the frigid waters at Sand Beach, rode bikes along the carriage roads that stretch for miles around the park, and even gotten into our newest family sport: rock climbing!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by CampingConnells (@campingconnells)


We started with outdoor climbs at Otter Cliffs and Great Head, and have also added in indoor climbing to hone our skills at the local indoor rock gym.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by CampingConnells (@campingconnells)

The little town of Bar Harbor is adorable (think boutique shops, local coffee, craft beer and a piano in the center square), and the library is friendly and offers free snacks to kids during the week, along with a great summer reading program.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by CampingConnells (@campingconnells)


We feel so blessed to be able to call this our summer “home” and hope to come back next year to enjoy more of what this area has to offer. Though my husband reminds me that I said that about where we were last summer, so I guess we will see!

Next up on our list is New Hampshire, New York, and Pennsylvania, so if you have any favorite places around there let me know!

 

Get notified of new posts via email


1 Comment

  1. Simone on August 8, 2022 at 2:46 pm

    Love the post and photos!

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply