Precious Fabric Challenge: Jenni's Style Arc Teddy Review
The Precious Fabric Challenge is happening this month, and Jenni is inspired by all the creativity it is sparking! Instagram is full of gorgeous makes from treasured fabrics—pieces that hold meaning, not just monetary value. A “precious fabric” doesn’t have to be expensive; it could simply be a textile that makes your heart skip a beat, the kind you’ve been nervous to cut into. Whether you transform it into a garment, a bag, or even a quilt, the point is to finally let that fabric shine instead of hiding on your shelf.
Jenni shares her journey with this challenge—including her big plans for a truly special wool plaid and a beginner-friendly wearable muslin that helped her gain solo sewing confidence. Read on or watch the video here:
Jenni's Precious Fabric Pants (Soon to Come!)
When I first introduced the Precious Fabric Challenge, I mentioned that Jenni would be making pants. She has a gorgeous designer wool plaid from Mood Fabrics waiting for in her stash ready to go. It’s a gray and violet plaid, Italian designer deadstock, and it is stunning.
Her plan? The Ready to Sew Hugo Wrap Pants. The company is one of our sponsors this month, and they’ve shown this pattern in a plaid that would be perfect in Jenni's closet. She already has knitted a sweater to wear with them at Christmas!
Jenni has a confession, though—she's too chicken to cut into it just yet. I’ll head back to the sewing room for moral support before she dives in. But I'm going to hold her to it--these pants will be made by Christmas!
A Wearable Muslin: Style Arc Teddy Top
Since the plaid pants are on hold, Jenni still wanted to jump into the challenge with another precious fabric from her stash: a lightweight Indian block print cotton she picked up this spring. She had her eye on the Style Arc Teddy Top, and this seemed like the perfect pairing.
If you’ve ever sewn a Style Arc pattern, you know they’re beautifully drafted but the instructions can be… minimal. Jenni panicked when she opened the file and saw just one page! Thankfully, I have a full three-part sew along for this exact top on YouTube. So Jenni queued it up, pressed pause after each step, and sewed right along. It made the whole process approachable and fun, even as a beginner.
Sewing the Teddy Top
- Size & Fabric: Jenni cut a size 12, which matched her measurements perfectly, and used a soft linen-blend fabric from my stash.
- Construction: The sew along was a lifesaver with the minimal pattern directions. Jenni made the entire top in about six hours, including some seam unpicking.
- Design Features:
- Easy pullover style with no darts, buttons, or zippers.
- Swingy silhouette with a curved back hem.
- Tall collar that can be worn up or folded down.
- Fit Notes: For her next version, Jenni will add a bit more length in the front for extra coverage and pay closer attention to the collar insertion (hers puckered slightly).
Even with these tweaks, I’m thrilled that Jenni navigated this pattern completely solo and with how wearable this muslin turned out.
And she's going to make it again!
This wearable muslin confirmed that the Style Arc Teddy Top is worth remaking in Jenni's block print fabric. It’s breezy, beginner-friendly, and pairs beautifully with late summer outfits. Plus, the sew along gave her the confidence she needed to tackle something new without second-guessing every step.
