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 6886--can you have too many?

Honestly, can you have too many McCall's 6886?  I think not.  Here's my latest.  I am so smitten with this pattern.  I really should just use this from now on to create any sort of tee design.  

Here's my latest version of this dress: 

If you've been living under a rock, here's the original dress pattern: 

See what I mean?  Classic, simple, stylish.

For this version, I used a kit I purchased from Alabama Chanin.  If you are unfamiliar with their work, here's a link to their site: Alabama Chanin

I didn't think I'd like this type of handwork, but turns out that I am quite smitten with this process.

Being a kit that I purchased, it was intended to be a long or maxi-length skirt.  When I saw how much fabric there was, I immediately thought dress and my beloved 6886 came to mind.

My husband is making me laugh.

This is a double-layer of fabric.  The lighter green was printed with the floral motif.  I layered both, stitched together, clipped the top layer away and what-you-see, is-what-you-get.

I love this color combination.

This is a casual yet dressy at the same time.

I always but a seam mid-back to compensate for my swayback.  It helps, but doesn't completely take it away.

I single-layered the neckband.   

I left the hems raw.  That's so hard for me to even type.

I really love this color combination.  I like it with my redish hair.

I am not done with this pattern so I hope you'll be open to reading more about how many more versions I have in my head.

Thanks for reading!

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 :) 

Simplicity 8014 in denim

  

Hello and Happy Mother's Day Weekend!

I wanted to share with all of  you my latest creation that I am in love with!  This is Simplicity 8014 and I used a black denim with a bit of stretch.  Here's the pattern:

How cute and classic is this dress?  

Using white as my topstitching is a bold choice, I know.  However if you are patient and keep your seam ripper handy, it's not too bad.  For my topstitching thread, I pulled out machine quilting cotton.  It's a bit heavier than a typical poly thread and when I tested it out, it seemed to stand up on the fabric a bit.

I have been working on sleeve placement and how it fits my particular shoulder shape and am happy with the results.

That cute gathered back into the yoke is always a favorite of mine when creating a garment.  The pattern only called for one layer of yoke, but I used two as it creates a much nicer finish on the inside.

Also, sometimes with denim you get that annoying fold line on the fabric.  I tried to work around it but wasn't able to cut without seeing it.  Over time, when the dress fades, it will become less noticable.

The details of this dress ar a lot of fun.  There's a shaped lower hem, collar and stand, button front, and side seam pockets.  

To go with my white topstitching, I used white square buttons from my stash.  I like the look on my dress.  

Here's the dress sans belt.  Without the belt it skims over your body.  I like that!

Here you can see the gathers and yoke.  

Here's a better picture of the lower hem.  I love the shape.

Thanks for reading!

Happy Mother's day to all of you moms!

Sue