Kielo Wrap Dress by Named

Ever feel like you are one of the last people to create a pattern?  I am typically late to the party, but I do eventually arrive.  Here's the uber popular dress I am referring to:



Here's the description from the website:

• Very simple maxi dress with an interesting shape
• Sleeveless design, you can download a free sleeve add-on for the dress here!
• Wrap tie closure at the waist
• Slim skirt and a vent at the back
• Choose a light and drapey fabric with approximately 20 – 60% stretch. For example jersey or stretch chiffon. The sample is made up in a silk chiffon with some elastan (Eurokangas).

I totally agree with this description.  Very simple with a totally interesting shape.  You don't feel sack like in this at all.  

Here's my version: 

Sorry about the indoor photos.  The day I took these, we were having a raging blizzard.  It was technically spring, but school ended up being called off for yet another day. Blah.

Here's what the dress looks like upwrapped.  

This dress is so light and comfortable to wear.  

I RARELY shorten anything.  This dress was shortened by about 2 inches.  For reference, I am 5'7".  

This fabric is a designer jersey knit by Halston from Fabric Mart's site.  This was so wonderful to work with.  This is a 'go-to' color for me.  It will work with so many jackets and sweaters I have.  

I do love this.

You need a super drapey knit for this to look right.  Anything that doesn't drape will throw off the look of the front.

I made my usual alterations for lengthening between the shoulder and apex, and bust curve. 

Here you can see the shaping the back darts give and that cute walking slit.

I can't wait to wear this dress!

Thanks for reading!

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

Helen's Blackwood Cardigan--I finally made one. :)

Honestly, I must be one of the last sewist to make this pattern.  Why did I wait so long?  When a pattern blows up the internet, I really need to pay more attention.  That translates into purchasing the pattern sooner, rather than later.  

Here's a link to the pattern release: https://helenscloset.ca/2017/02/27/introducing-the-blackwood-cardigan/

Have you seen this?  It's classic.  It's classy.  It's easy to sew.  What more do you need?  

There are two versions of this pattern, this one shown is longer with longsih sleeves that scrunch up a bit.  There's a shorter version as well.  What makes this pattern so awesome is that its an easy to sew knit.  There isn't any hemming (unless of course you use the patch pockets).  All the edges have bands which makes it super fast and easy to sew.  

A week or so ago, we had an exceptionally beautiful day with sunshine and no snow.  I took the opportunity to take some photos outdoors.  This is my first blackwood cardigan.  I of course, made the longer version.  I love this length!  

This covers everything you want covered.  I think this would work well with leggings or on any day where you swear the dryer shrunk all your pants four sizes too small.  Anyone else ever have a day like that? 

I did end up shortening the sleeves by about three inches.  I knew they were designed to be slouchy and I compensated.  After all, I hoped to wear this for spring with some garments that I am hoping I will need to pull up my sleeves with because I am too warm.  That's probably a few weeks away.  

Here are some close ups.  I love the bands.  I ended up stitching a little more than an 1/8" from the edge with topstitching to secure the seam.  

Here's a better photo of the band and the topstitching I did.  I really love this color.  It's actually darker than this photo shows.  

Make sure your seams line up precisely and you'll love your finished garment.  BTW, I used a Telio knit for this and it feels amazing.  I can't wait to wear this to threads.  

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

Lacy Tee Shirt using Simplicity

Up again, is another Simplicity 8375 hack.  That's what this pattern is made for!  

This is a pattern for a very basic knit dress/tee/tunic with numerous hacking options printed on the pattern pieces.  Hack Away!  

I used this pattern to create the lacey sweater knit I made to go with my floral skirt.  This knit has been in my stash for a while.  I don't even remember where I purchased it from.

This is so easy to play with, sew, and let your imagination go wild!  Here's what I did that cost me less than one hour to create.  

 

I made the simple top using another fabric for the neckband.  

I left the sleeves and lower hem raw.  I can hardly believe I am typing this, let alone doing it!  

That's it.  The part that took the longest was to pin the neckband to the top.  I didn't even topstitch the neckband in place from the right side like I normally do. 

I hope you'll do some hacking on a pattern that fits you well and you enjoy using!

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

Another Sally Jean skirt

Are you like me and you have a ton of patterns but you keep going back to ones you really love?  I truly hope I am not alone! 

I made a denim Sally Jean skirt a few years ago and have worn it and worn it and worn it.  I love this skirt!  

It has classic styling and it fits me just right, right out of the package!  How awesome is that? 


This is a photo of my original make.  I just love it. 

Here's my newest make.  This time I used a home dec fabric that was suitable for home dec or clothing.  I of course made a skirt from it.  I just love all the colors in this print. 

We finally had a day where its cloudy bright and warm enough to wear something like this outdoors without freezing. 

Just look at all those colors in this fabric!  

Mustard yellow with gray, blue and white is my newest obsession.

Here are some of the details.  It has a coin pocket.  I chose to use a single row of topstitching. 

Fly zipper.  Not my best ever execution of a fly, but hopefully no one gets that close, know what I mean? 

Back patch pockets.  

Back two-piece yoke. 

I love my new skirt!

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

Picnic Pants: Beth Stretch pant

I really love wearing elastic waist pants that are stylish.  How about you?  So comfortable and when made in fun fabrics, so fun to wear!   This pattern is from StyleArc and is the Beth Stretch Pant.

Here's the pattern I used: 

These go together easily and are stylish, right?  I love the narrowish leg and the slimming lines at the waistband in the front. 

When I said these were picnic pants, I dubbed them that name after DD2 told me that that's what my fabric resembled.  She's right, I know.  But I don't care.  I will wear them with pride. 

We had an unseasonably warm day recently and I wore them with sandals to work!  So comfortable!

 

This fit pretty darn well, but with my flat booty, I do need some additional fitting in the back.  

It's just at the upper back thigh. It's difficult to fit but not over fit.  You do need to be able to sit, stretch, and bend.  Right? 

I really like these!  

I did add a 3 inch slit at the side seam so I could show off my cute sandals.

Thanks for reading!  I hope you are sewing some warm weather clothing for upcoming spring and summer!

Sue :)