Sinclar: Lauren Top

So, I made another Sinclair pattern.  Is anyone surprised?  This one is the Lauren Top.  How could I not make this?  Here's the pattern photo: 

I love tops that drape yet have a modest neckline, so this was a no-brainer for me.  

It was such a nice day that I had to go outdoors for photos. That's pretty rare this time of year where I live.

This top requires a super drapey fabric.  I think this was a rayon-lycra blend and it works for this top. It was purchased from Fabric Mart.

See what I mean about requiring drape?  From this side view, you can totally see half of the pleats in the design.  

I love this blushy-pink/rose color. This is a relatively easy sew.  Just line up the pleats, baste them and you are half way done!  

There is also a dress and sleeveless version of this, so in the next few months, guess what I'll be making?

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

The Grace Transeasonal Coat

I've finally made the Grace Trans-Seasonal Coat for the winter.  This is a StyleArc pattern, and you all know, I am a big fan! Here's a description: 

This is an easy-to sew, unlined coat with a fabulous collar--wear it up hugging the neck or open to give a more casual look.  Great deep buttoned pockets that are able to carry all that you need. Interesting seam treatment along with bound edges gives this coat a unique look.  

The Grace coat is a fashionable over coat and will become one of your favorites.  

I made this with a wool melton I ordered from Fabricdotcom.  I just love the color and the feel of this wool.  It doesn't ravel at all.  

I decided to add a lining to this coat to make it a bit warmer and I just love adding fun linings to my coat.  Why be boring when you can be bold?  Since the pattern didn't come with lining or instructions to line this, I drafted my own.  It isn't hard and there are so many tutorials online, you can find one that's easy to do.

The lining is a rayon by Telio found at fabricdotcom.  Again, I am a huge Telio fan and wow is this fabric not only pretty but I love how the color compliments the olive wool.

And, since I added the lining, I decided to add another touch and that was to the piping between the facing and lining.  I made my own (naturally) and love the custom touch! 

The buttons, which I really like, are from Hobby Lobby.  Right now, that's the only place in Sioux Falls I can get buttons for garments.  I've really got to stock up on things like buttons, zips, etc.  You never know when you'll need something and no one locally carries it. 

Would you look at my welt pockets?  I decided to add that little 'lip' at the top edge to give this a bit more oomph.  I love it!

You can't see it, but I also idd double rows of topstitching on the major seams.  

This coat is very oversized.  Based on the modifications I made, this is a size down from my typical SA pattern use.  I think it's pleasantly oversized but not so much so.

Can I have you check out how deep those pockets are?  My entire hand, up to the wrist, fits well inside.  

Plus, that collar!  You can flip it up and I added the buttons at the neckline.  If HL had two more of the buttons, I would have added them to the flaps on the welt pockets.  Dang.  I'll have to see if I can get more online. 

Thanks so much for reading!  I got my new coat completed just in time for the snow!

Sue :) 

Saltbox woven top version 1

This summer all I seem to want to sew are woven tees!  When I came across this cute little pattern on Indie Sews, I knew I had to have it.  This is the Saltbox Tee/Tank by Blueprints.  It has a difficulty level of 1 out of 4 and aI agree.  

This is very simply described as a tee or tank with asymmetrical pieced bodice and side vents at the hem.  It calls for medium weight fabrics such as quilting cotton, chambray, linen blends, rayon challis or light weight fabrics such as viole, lawn, double gauze, crepe de chine or charmeuse.  

I used two fabrics from my stash.  I am so enjoying stash busting these days as I am finding TREASURES!  

The yellow floral is a remnant from a previous dress.  The manufacturer is Telio and this rayon feels like silk on your skin.  The white is simply a cotton shirting I picked up when Hancock's was going out of business (insert hysterical crying here over loosing Hancocks!)

This goes together quickly and easily.  To choose your size, you'll need to check out the finished measurement chart included with the PDF and do some flat pattern measurements.  I feel like this is roomy and comfortable without being overly sized.  This fits me well through the shoulders.  I went down a size after doing some measurements and am glad I did.  

I can see more of these in my summer.  I especially want to make this cute sleeveless version with a chiffon or lace inset.  How cute would that be?

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

StyleArc Harmony

I think you all know how much I love StyleArc patterns.  I sew them a lot since the styles are cute, stylish, and fun.  Plus, the patterns are so well drafted they are fun to put together.  

Here's my latest.  

How simply cute is this top?  It's basically a looser fitting top that skims your torso.  It has a loop and button closure at the back neckline with a shaped front and back facing that you topstitch to highlight it.  The sleeves though are what make this so fun!  There are four pieces to the sleeves that make up those cute little ruffles.  They are circle cut so there's no gathering.  

Here's my version: 

I love everything about this.  It's light and breezy and those sleeves!  

I love the back too.  

I used this print from Telio and its made from Rayon.  It feels like silk on your body.  It moves and flows with you.  Next to StyleArc, I love Telio so much!

Check those sleeves!  They are frilly but not too much. 

Here's the neckline.  The topstitching is a little difficult to see but it's there.  

I so love these colors!

I hope you are making some fun summer garments!

Sue

Another Daisy--StyleArc Daisy Designer Tunic

When you really love how a pattern turned it, it's okay to visit it again!  I so love my original Daisy Designer Tunic that I had to make another....

Here's the pattern: 

If you didn't see my original, here it is!

                       

I really love this version!  I used a mustard-yellow linen and lace for the sleeves as I didn't have quite enough fabric.  For my second version, I used this rayon my Telio.  I so love Telio fabric.  It's such a nice quality at a reasonable price.  It sews well and I love the colors and prints!  

   

Look at how fun this is!  I simply love this print.  

I didn't even try to match the motifs on the fabric across the front and back. If I remember correctly, I cut the lower band on the cross grain as I didn't have enough even with som tetrusing.  

I made a few very small alterations to this version that are different than my first.  Let me tell you what I did differently on that version first, then we will get into this one.  

I lengthened from the shoulder to the apex and below the bust curve. For more information on this, check out Designer Joi. 
I lengthened from the back shoulder to the waistline. 

For this version, I took in the front neckline only about 1/2".  That's it.

I really love how well StyleArc patterns fit me straight from the envelope.  With a few minor tweaks, they are even better.

So, once again, I didn't have quite enough fabric.  I used some tencel denim that's very lightweight as the facings for the hem and lower band.  I like how this hangs with that tiny bit of extra weight there.

Thanks for reading!

Now I need a sleeveless one for summer.

Sue :) 

A Dress for spring! McCall's 7381

Mustard has to be my new favorite color to sew with.  Coral will always, always be my most favorite color ever but Mustard ranks up there very high!  

I used McCall's 7381 for this dress.  I love this pattern.    

I previously made view A only maxi length with short sleeves.  So I guess it really isn't view A at all, but I think you get my drift.

This time, I made a straight view B.  This dress is really low cut and I decided to embrace it and knew this navy cami I have would work great and it does.  One of the benefits of clothes hoarding is that you might eventually need that one thing you keep in your stash.  Right? 

This fabric is by Telio.  I so love Telio.  It washes well, dries well, sews well, everything well.  This is a rayon and it feels like silk on your skin.  Plus, it doesn't cost an arm and a leg, bonus!

I made covered buttons for the bodice.  I carefully chose what parts of the flowers I wanted to use on my buttons.  I love them!  

Also, I didn't line the bodice.  I chose to make bias bands to finish the edges.  I love the feel and look of the bodice.  

There are pleats at the front waistline as well as the shoulders.  You can also see the sleeve cuffs here.  Typically sleeves fit me really well or are slightly too short.  With this pattern, I had to shorten the sleeves by more than an inch.  I still feel like they may be slightly too long, but I will wear it a few times before deciding.

Here's a peek at my hem.  I fold the seam in twice to the inside, press well and topstitch close to the edge.  I like to see how precise can get it.

Here's a close up of the back elastic waist.  

Here's a back of the dress so you can see the elastic waist.  It slightly blouses which is cute.  

Thanks for reading!

Sue

Simplicity 8614

How adorable is this pattern?  

That bow!  Those ruffles!  I immediately fell in love.  

I knew this would be adorbs on Elaina.  I had some leftover rayon fabric from I dress I made for me, and thought it was just enough for this little jumpsuit/romper.

 

It is really difficult to get a clear photograph of a busy little girl.  So bear with me.  

First thing you'll notice is that I left that big bow off the back.  I knew it would bug her.  And, I didn't have enough fabric for it.  It is still super cute.  Just a note on this outfit...there is no snap closure at the legs.  That means, yes, you do have to take the ENTIRE garment off to change a diaper.  WHAT???

How I wish I would have realized that prior to cutting this out as I would have immediately corrected that.  Plus, and this is minor, Simplicity baby patterns use a lot of zippers at the center back.  On a previous dress I made for Elaina, I redrafted the pattern so I could have snap/button openings at the front.  Has Simplicity not heard of the back to sleep campaign?  I used an invisible zipper as I think they are softer and more flexible, thus softer on your skin...should you need a nap.  Sleeping on a zipper or buttons doesn't sound very restful to me, just sayin!  

The bias tape at the neckline is vintage and from my stash--how else do you get vintage notions, right?  I will say that several years ago I was at an antique shop and found a treasure trove of rick-racks, bias tapes and assorted trims.  I have so enjoyed using them all!  Plus, this one was a perfect match.  

Any time I pulled out my phone to take photos, Elaina looked skeptical but also very cute.  If I ever make this pattern again I will put in snaps at the inseam to allow for easier diaper changes.  And, as cute as that bow is, unless it is for a formal event (wedding, etc.) I will leave it off.  

Elaina looks darling, as I knew she would!  

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

Sacha dress!

You all know how much I love StyleArc, right?  This is a pattern I've had for a bit and finally got around to making.  Since January 1st, I have only been sewing garments made from fabric and patterns in my stash.  I thought this would literally be torture, but I've made it and with fabrics like this in my stash, I've been surprised at how many fun things are hiding in that overflowing mess in my sewing room! 

Back to the pattern--here is the one I used:

I love the simple style of this!  But, I had almost four yards of this pretty rayon and I didn't want to have much left.  So...I decided to lengthen this to a dress by adding six inches to the sleeves and blouse.  

I know there are other patterns I could have used but I really wanted to try this one out.  This rayon is from Fabric Mart.  The colors are just so pretty!

I probably could have added eight inches to the bottom, but too late now!  

I wish I would remember to keep my chin down when we take photos.

It was windy again today too!  I am glad this isn't a full skirt or you'd see more than you wanted to!

StyleArc patterns fit me really well.  

I really love this super simple and colorful dress. 

Now the weather needs to warm up!  

Thanks for reading!

Sue