Super comfy outfit!

Hi all!  I hope this finds you and your families healthy and well.  

Since I've been WFH, all I want to make is fun and comfortable clothing.  These pants fit the bill!  Not only are the so comfortable, but with my fabric choice, you can actually wear these for more than lounging at home.  

As you can see, this is a Rebecca Page pattern and these are the Pippa pants.  

I used a mid-weight ponte that's been in my stash for a while for these.  I had just enough and I thought why not?  If I didn't' like them, they can always just be for lounging at home.  Or, I could find them a new home.  

This pattern has two or three pieces depending on the view you choose.  The front/back doesn't have a side seam.  So there's that piece and the waistband.  You can choose between a regular waistband, a fold over waistband and add some cute little side ties if you'd like.  Since I am not going to walk around showing off my midriff, I chose the regular waistband.  

Since there are only two pieces for my view, these were cut out and put together in less than an hour.  I am not a fast sewer and I am not slow, so if you are either, adjust your time commitment accordingly.  With that said, I even did a few extra steps too.  

I did lengthen these just a bit from the pattern.  I believe it was about an inch.  I added SewkeysE tape in 1" at the hem line.  I used a stretch stitch to hem the pants by machine.  

There isn't even elastic at the waistline but know what?  These didn't fall down nor did I feel like they would fall down. Yay!  

Let's talk about my top for a moment.  This is the Cachet relaxed tee by Sinclair Patterns.  I absolutely adore this pattern! 

It has three different pocket variations, a color-blocked version, and it is just right for doing your own thing.  This is another pattern that as soon as I finished my first, I immediately made a second.  This one is made from baby french terry from Sly Fox Fabrics.  This stuff is really wonderful to work with and it sews like a dream!  

Thanks for reading!  I hope you are able to make some comfortable clothing that you really love!  

Until next time, 

Sue 

The Caronlina Dress by Rebecca Page

I had the pleasure of testing another pattern by Rebecca Page.  This is the Carolina Dress and I am quite smitten with it. 



Here's a link to the pattern and images if you are interested.  https://rebecca-page.com/product/carolina/

I just love the style of this dress and the modest neckline.  Even though this is modest, it's still fun and flattering. 

I just love the fabric I used.  It's a heavish ponte that's been in my stash for a while.  I am glad I waited to use if for this dress, but it's so nice to wear and work with, that I am sort of sad I waited so long!

As you can see, since we are deep into winter, I made the midi length with long sleeves and the flat waistband.

Online, there are some fun color-blocked versions that I'd really like to copy.

This dress has numerous possibilities.

This is the fit right out of the package.

I just love it!

Sue 

Yet another McCall's 6886

I can't stop pulling out this pattern!  I can't even tell you how many times I've created it.  This time, I used a heavily textured ponte from my stash.  I love this fabric!!!  

                  

See what I mean by heavily textured?  Isn't that red just lucious?  

With this pattern, I made my usual alterations: 

lengthened from the shoulder to the apex

Lengthened the bust curve

Added to back from the neck to the waist

added a seam across the back waist

I also played with the v-neckband a bit.  With every fabric, you have to test and see how the neckband will lie when it's sewn on.  Since my fabric was heavier, I had to stretch the neckband a bit more than the pattern called for.  The best and easiest thing to do is baste it on.  If it fits and looks great, permanently stitch.  If you need to alter, do so.  

I also added a side slit.  The sleeve length is perfect for me, even though I am 5'7".  

I am not done with this pattern.  Expect to see more makes from me!

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

having fun mixing and matching fabrics

How cute is this tunic?  I love view A, with the asymmetrical side seams.  

Sorry about the indoor photos as it is dark before I leave for work and after I get home.  

I used a stretch velvet for the outer layer and wool knit for the inner layer.  The sleeves are a lightweight ponte.

Black is so difficult to photograph indoor but you get the idea of the shine and design of the fabric.  

This is such a great length for leggings, even for my 5'7" frame.  Everything is covered, both front and back.  Gotta love that!

I am showing you the underlayer here of the wool knit.  All three fabrics are washable.  

Thanks for reading!

Sue

Sewing for Elaina

Sewing for little people is so much fun!  It takes minimal fabric when they are this little and I just get the giggles at how cute and little everything is!  

This little cutie is my granddaughter, Elaina.  She just turned one a few days ago.  That little smirk on her face tells a lot about her personality.  :)  As you can see, she lives in a MUCH warmer climate than I do.  I can't even thing about bare feet outdoors right now.  

Isn't she the cutest?  I used three different patterns to create this little ensemble.  

Let's start with the little jacket.  Yes, it is too big for now.  I am hoping by fall it will fit her well.  

Here is the pattern I used for the jacket: 

Based on Elaina's measurements, I made her a medium.  Look how much too large it is!  I don't mind growing room for little people and she definitely has plenty of room for this to fit for a long time.  

This is a breeze to put together.  Of course you can see I added a ruffle to the hem.  All I did for that was to measure 2.5 times the length, cut a strip the width I wanted, pleat it with the gathering/pleating foot, and done!  

Since I am very limited on local fabric shops and only have JoAnn's to shop from for zippers for a garment like this  I was unable to find an appropriate zip.  These hook and eyes were from my stash. 

 

That face, it just kills me!  She is giving her mommy a look of concern, isn't she?

How how quickly emotions change when you are a year old!

Next, let's talk about the onesie.  Here is the pattern I used: 

How adorable is this?  I love the way the shoulders are constructed and the optional little details to make it fun.   

And look at that fabric!  Every girl needs something leopard print, I don't care how old you are.  ;)  

This fits so true to size.  I made a 12 month size and it fits her great!  Jalie truly knows how to create patterns and directions for home sewers.  This is no exception.  I only wish it came in adult sizes! 

Plenty of diaper room!  Cute little gathers on the sleeve caps.  

Those pig tails!  My daughter, Elaina's mommy, choose these three fabrics for this outfit.  This leopard print was a little thin so to reinforce the area for the snaps, I used some interfacing.  I cut it the width of the binding and it worked perfectly.  I used my Kam snap pliers and some clear snaps for easy diapering.  Aren't little fat rolls adorable on babies?

Lastly, I'll share the legging pattern.  

I previously made the dress in version C.  You can see that here: Simplicity 8304

 These leggings are made from a mid-weight ponte.  They were also made in a 12 month size and they are very long!  My daughter cuffs them.  She'll have plenty of room to grow into these!  

I really love sewing for children.  It's fast and fun and they look so adorable!  All my fabrics were from Fabric Mart and are featured on my blog post at their site for this month.  Head on over and check out their selections!  

Thanks for reading!  I do so love your comments!

Sue 

Some animal print Georgies!

Yep, you've read the title correctly, this is another animal-print Georgie Stretch Jean from Style Arc.  I so love this pattern and there is no way I am finished with it yet.  :) 

In case you need a refresher on what the pattern looks like, here you are!  

This 'jean' has everything you could possibly want.  Jean styling but the comfort of a legging.  Need I say more! 

This time I made this in a super fun, animal printed ponte knit.

Here you can see the texture this fabric provides.  Isn't is fun? 

Oh, I digress for a minute, but those shoes are killer, right?  Here you can see more of the print and texture of the fabric.  I just love it.  To compensate for the knit versus stretch woven, I measured the stretch of each and found there were comparable so I made my usual size.  After wearing these all day, the usual size was the right decision.  I love it when that happens.  

My only alteration to this pattern was to add an inch to the length so I can wear some of the heels I have.

Thanks for reading and I so love your comments!  Do you have any pattern you use over and over again?  If so, I'd love to hear about it!

Sue 

A skirt for spring

I love making garments that can be worn in the spring and this skirt is a quick make, perfect when you want to whip something up.

I wanted an  instant gratification project and this pattern was perfect: 
This is the Taylor Knit skirt from StyleArc.  You all know I am a HUGE SA fan and this pattern didn't disappoint me at all.  It is drafted beautifully and the fit is exactly what I expected.

It was a little cold the day we took these pictures.  In fact, the following day, it snowed about 5 inches.  The date?  May 1st!!!  

I hope this summer I can wear this with a bright tee and sandals.  

There is just a dart to give this shaping at the sides.  Very clever!  

 The slit is just the right length.  It lets you walk and sit comfortably.

Here is a close up of the fabric I used.  I love the variegated stripes.  It is from JoAnn's and it performed really well.  Maybe JoAnn's is starting to up their game.  I hope so.  When I need an instant fabric fix, it is about my only choice where I live.

Next time I wear this, I hope it is with short sleeves and flats.

Thanks for reading! Sue :)  

Need a waist? Try McCall's 7430

I don't know about you, but the older I get the harder I have to work at eating right, exercising, and such in order to have a waistline.  This time of year is super difficult since everyone I know makes wonderful little yum-yums!  If I don't start on them, I am ok, but if I take one, well the day is blown.  I simply can't resist.

So, off to try McCall's 7430 which gives you the illusion of a well defined waist!



Look at those lines!

This is a close-fitting dress that you want a hefty knit for. The black is a beefy ponte I purchased a ton of when Hancock's went out of business last summer and the black/white is a fun textured knit I purchased from Fabric Mart.  I love both of them!

You really want to get a good fit throughout for this to skim the body instead of feeling like a sausage in a casing.  I prefer not to look like, or feel like I am a sausage.  

I made my usual swayback adjustment, FBA, and sloping shoulder adjustment.

I tried this on before hemming the sleeves.  I let them out a bit as I thought they were very slightly short.

Isn't the contrast fun?  It was easy to sew, line up your seam lines, and seems to be well drafted.

I love this dress!  

Sue