OOTD - A first

I don't usually do outfit of the day posts of my RTW pieces but I thought this dress was so cute so here it is.

Can you tell how much I love this little dress by all of the pictures?  I got this from Forever21.  I know right?  I usually only go there for accessories and I was actually on the site looking at accessories when I saw this little number. 

 



 It's really just a T-shirt dress with these handkerchief panels on the side but that and the stripes really make the dress pop.  I absolutely LOVE it.

M6115

I needed a quick project so I dug this up.  I love the way this turned out.  I really think I'll make at least one more of these.

 Pattern Description:   MISSES' DRESSES IN THREE LENGTHS: Dresses A, B, C, D are loose fitting, A-line with neckline casing and shoulder strap; dress A has contrast shoulder strap and bow; dress C has contrast shoulder strap; dresses A, B, C lengths are above-knee; dress D is ankle length.

Pattern Sizing:  A5(6-8-10-12-14), EE(14-16-18-20)

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? I think so.

Were the instructions easy to follow?  Super easy, didn't need them.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  I love the ease with which this came together.  A great dress in a couple of hours.

Fabric Used: ITY knit

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  I made the pattern as directed, however, I used a knit when it was recommended for wovens and I lengthened it to a full maxi.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I plan to sew this at least once more.  I would definitely recommend this pattern to others.

Conclusion:   This pattern is simple but stylish pattern, easy to sew, easy to wear.  Great for beginners.

V8815 Part II

I bought this gorgeous fabric toward the end of last Summer with the intention of getting in on the V8815 bandwagon.  It took me a while to figure out the alterations so I missed the Summer band wagon and instead made this version. 

 

Now, I finished this top at least a month ago and we've had many days that were warm enough to wear it but sometimes I get stuck on wearing a piece exactly as I see it in my head and won't wear it until then.  (I have a hot maxi wrap dress waiting in the wings right now).  I'm glad I waited, it was a nice warm day, I felt fresh and light and honestly, I was happy to change up my look a bit from the many maxi dresses I wear.  I do love my maxi's but I do want to stretch beyond dresses (which is a super funny thing for me to be saying since I was a die hard tomboy growing up and NEVER wore dresses.)

 

 

 

Pattern Description: MISSES' TOP: Fitted top has raised waist/hemline variations and narrow hem. A and B: back zipper. C: pullover, wrong side shows (back hemline), back neck slit with hook/eye closing. B and C: stitched hems on sleeves. Purchase bias tape to finish necklines and armholes A.

Pattern Sizing: B5(8-10-12-14-16), F5(16-18-20-22-24)

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? I think so.

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions are super easy.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the different options in one envelope. This is actually my second version of this pattern.  I plan to get a lot of use from this pattern. 

Fabric Used: A stretch cotton sateen from fabric.com.  This was great fabric to make the top in since it allows it to be fitted, as designed but not tight because of the stretch.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I did a FBA and added two inches to the front upper bodice length.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I definitely plan to sew again soon.

Conclusion: Easy and on-trend. Definitely a wardrobe staple.

A Little Sewing on the side

I recently agreed to do a little test sewing for a new indie pattern company which is so exciting to me.  I love seeing and being a part of someone realizing their dreams.  I am on a tight completion schedule though which meant that I didn't get to do much "recreational" sewing this weekend but I did complete another version of V8815 which I will take pics of when I wear it this week.  I'm hoping to knock out the "have to" sewing tomorrow so I can make at least one more piece to wear this week.  I also need to start planning dresses for me and the Princess for Father's Day or should I say narrowing down my choices because as usual, I have too many ideas.

M6744

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day.  I wanted to go out because not cooking is huge for me since I'm the only one who really cooks.  I didn't necessarily want to deal with long waits and huge crowds since the weather is pretty warm and we have little ones who expect to eat when we show up at the restaurant, not an hour later so we went out Saturday night instead. 





When I tried the dress on in the house the hems were flapping and that made me a little worried about wearing it out so I decided to add weights to the hem in order to keep it from flying open in the wind and to help it hang better.  Perfect solution.  I also used Mimi G.'s method of encasing the weight in interfacing before adding it to the hem which made it so much easier to handle and stitch.




Pattern Description: MISSES' DRESSES: Pullover dresses have bodice variations, elasticized (seamed) waist, and narrow hem. A and B: fitted bodice. C and D: mock wrap, very loose-fitting bodice with elasticized shoulders.

Pattern Sizing: Y(XSmall-Small-Medium), ZZ(Large-XLarge-XXLarge)

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? YES!

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions are very easy to follow.  This would be a great pattern for a beginner

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? No dislikes.  In general, I like creating a casing for the elastic with the seam allowance technique that is being used now.

Fabric Used: A cotton lycra

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I didn't have to make any of my usual pattern adjustments.  This pattern may run a little big as I think I could have comfortable gone down a size.  I did however add weights to the hem because the skirt features a hem to waist opening which is not stitched down so I didn't want to the wind blowing my dress open and risk being arrested for indecent exposure.

Would you sew it again? I could see myself making this view once more but there are other views on this pattern that I can see myself making over and over again.

Would you recommend it to others? I would definitely recommend this to others.

Conclusion: This dress has great details including the faux wrap elements to the top and skirt and the elastic at the shoulders.

M6684

I saw the cutest little baby dress made with this fabric either right before or right after I had the Princess.  I have of course bee obsessed with finding this fabric ever since.  I finally found it at JoAnn Fabrics and I believe it is a JoAnn exclusive.  It's super busy but the colors are great and I think they look fantastic on her. 





She loved her dress and was actually into the "photo shoot" but would not hold still for the flash.  I immediately began looking for fabric for other versions. 

Pattern Description: TODDLER'S TOP, DRESSES, ROMPER, PANTIES AND PANTS: Pullover top, dresses and pull-on romper have elasticized neckline and waist. A,B,C: narrow hem. Panties and pants have elastic waist. D,E: elasticized (bands D) legs. C,D,E: purchased bias tape finishes armholes and leg openings E. F: hem bands and purchased trim. B,C,F: yokes.

Pattern Sizing: Combinations: CAA(1/2-1-2-3-4)

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Definitely

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Nothing to dislike this went together nicely

Fabric Used: Quilting cotton from JoAnn fabrics

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: The only minor change I made was to do a rolled edge hem on the ruffles in a contrasting color thread instead of just turning them under as suggested.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I will definitely make a couple of more of these for her to round out her summer wardrobe. I will also probably make some of the other views.

Conclusion: This was super fast to make and even with all the extra finishing that I did (serged seams, rolled hem, etc.) this dress was completed within two hours.  You get a lot of bang for your buck with this pattern, not just with the dress I made but because there are two dresses, pants a top and a romper, you could really sew a complete wardrobe using this one pattern.

M6650 A wearable muslin

I'm usually one to buy patterns as soon as they come out but it then it takes me awhile to sew them up.  I'd really been digging the pussy bow trend but most of the blouses I'd seen were button up and being super busty, we don't usually get along too well. So, when I saw this pattern, I snapped it right up.  I picked out a lovely stripped fabric to go with the skirt I'm wearing (reviewed Here) but I wanted to work out the kinks before cutting into it so since I always have lots of white broadcloth laying around and it's pretty easy to come by if I mess it up, I decided to make a wearable muslin so if things went well I'd have a cool new white top and if not it wouldn't be a huge loss.

Pattern Description:   MISSES' TOPS: Loose-fitting, pullover tops have gathered front neckline, and back-button placket. A: Purchased bias tape finishes armholes. B: Sleeve bands. A,B: Bias collar extends into tie ends. C: Bias neck binding. A,B,C: Narrow hem. D: Collar, lower edge gathered into band. B,C,D: Gathered sleeves. B,D: Bias, gathered overlays. C,D: Button cuffs, seam opening on sleeves.

Pattern Sizing: AX5(4-6-8-10-12), D5(12-14-16-18-20)

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  Absolutely!

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked the neck and sleeve detail but it's also the thing that drove me a little crazy because there are a few fiddly bits and hand sewing to create those details but it would just be a plain old shirt without them.

Fabric Used:  I used a cotton broadcloth.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  Since the front is cut on the fold, I made a FBA by pivoting out 2 inches at the hem.  Also, since the sleeve bands are fitted, I added about 2 inches to all of the pieces used to create the band according to my bicep measurement.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  I do have another one planned.  This is a very versatile pattern and I have seen it used to make some fabulous creations.

Conclusion:   This is a great wardrobe staple and a pretty easy make.