The Valley Skater Dress--A New Free Pattern!

Have you seen this NEW FREE pattern from Sinclair Patterns?

  I was so honored to be asked to test it and I absolutely love everything about it!  

I just think that Indy sewists and designer are so generous, especially at times like this: when their incomes may be dwindling yet they are gracious and are developing free patterns for their fans.

I really, really wanted to make the lantern sleeve version, but I thought that this gorgeous fabric simply HAD to be what I used for this dress.

How pretty is this, especially if you love super soft, double brushed knits!  This is from Sly Fox Fabrics.  I have never, never been disappointed in anything I've ordered from them.  

And, I am a sucker for a floral, especially a floral with a black background.

This is the fit of the dress with ZERO alterations!  I just love Oxana Sinclair's patterns because the tall sizes fit me so, so well!

I just love this dress.

While my print is busy and it is tough to see all the details, if you look closely you can see there is a waistline detail, banded neclkine, and front/back pleats that make the skirt so twirly at the bottom yet more fitted at the waistline.

I wish I would have twirled a few times for the photos!

I really, really love this print, and I love my shoes with this too!  

Thanks so much for reading! 

If you've never tried a pattern from Sinclair Patterns, the instructions are amazing, the drafting is spot-on, and the designs are so wearable and fun.  Plus, almost every single one of her patterns have several options making them a great value!

Here's the link if you want to check out and order the pattern!

 Sinclair Patterns Valley knit skater dress with lantern sleeves and sleeve options

Stay healthy and be well!

Sue

A warm winter dress! Rebecca Page Hoodie Dress/Top

Hi all!  Happy winter!  Today is the coldest we've had so far this year with an air temp of -17 degree F.  The wind child makes it -34F!  When it's this cold outside, you need some warm cozy clothing.  Here's a new pattern, just released yesterday, from Rebecca Page: 

This is very simply named the Hoodie Dress.  I am a Brand Ambassador for Rebecca Page and I was one of the lucky ones to test this pattern prior to release.  In fact, my version is even on their website under the pattern page!

https://rebecca-page.com/product/hoodie-dress/

I used a wonderful fleece I've had in my stash for quite some time from Emma One Sock.  It love how rich the black color is on this.  The black ribbing was also from my stash.  

Rebecca basically holds your hand while you sew showing every single step.  There is also a quick reference sheet you can use if you desire.  That's what I did.  This is such an easy, uncomplicated, yet cute sew!  

If you decide to use the kangaroo pocket, I would definitely stabilize the edges so they don't stretch as you are attaching them to your garment.  For this, I use SewkeysE tape and it works like a dream. 

This mainly goes together on your serger, except for the pocket and the hem on the hoodie.  

I would highly recommend measuring the length of the sleeve prior to sewing.  I know they made adjustments for that after the initial phase, but just to be sure please measure.  Also for reference, I am 5'7".  

Thanks for reading!

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 

Another McCall's 7432 in blue!

Welp, I made another dress.  I told myself no more summer dresses, but I simply couldn't help it.  I am sure you know what I mean.  

This time, I used one of my TNT patterns: McCall's 7432.  I love this pattern, almost as much as I love McCall's 6886. 

In a moment of weakness, I picked up this blue floral knit from JoAnns.  It washed and dried beautifully and didn't pill or stretch out of shape.  I think this dress will hold up.  Sometimes with Jo's you get burned.  I hope it's not this time as I really like this dress!  

Here's the pattern I used: 

It's very basic.  I like the A-line shape along with the three choices of necklines along with sleeve and length options.  

I made view E.  I think it's a classic shape and style for summer.  

As I am always trying to improve fit, I've finally come to realize that when I use a cottony-feel knit, I absolutely must make a seam at the center back waistline.  I use a 1/4" seam at the sides and taper to almost an inch at the dead center back.  This accommodates my swayback.  I've done this on my beloved McCall's 6886 and any time I use this type of knit, I have to with any pattern that doesn't have a seam there.

Here you can see it better.  See how much nicer that fits me?

For the neckband, in previous makes, I found the neckband to be rather wide and hang outwards from your body.  With this neckband, I cut it almost 1/2" narrower and tested it numerous times to make sure it hugged my body.  It does.

Another neckline trick I use is to put the garment on my dress form, and pin the neckband (or sleeve bands) to the garment.  Once I am happy, I remove it and sew.  This works beautifully for me.

For the sleeves and hemline, I used 1" hems and SewkeysE tape.  That stuff is what miracles are made of.  I read a post from Kenneth D. King stating that better knit dresses use 1" hems.  Guess what I now always do for knit hems? 

Thanks so much for reading and I hope your summer sewing is something you feel good about!

Sue

SA's Peggy Woven Dress

Here are photos from my July Fabric Mart's post on the Peggy Woven Dress.  When I purchased the border print, I was so excited to use it for a dress but the question is which pattern should I use?   This is a linen blend, in case you are wondering.

After stewing about it for a while, I decided on this pattern by StyleArc:  

 

This pattern is rated as 'Medium' or 'Challenging' and I'd agree.  Getting that button back placket correct takes some work.

As you can tell, I had some fun with the border print. 

I really like the patch pockets.  They are roomy but not floppy.  

The back is my favorite part.  You can see where I used part of the border for the button band and pink buttons!

I also like there is no gaping at the armscye.

I also like how this fits at the neckline.

Here's closer look at the button band.  If you don't get that nice and square shape at the bottom, then this would probably look a bit sloppy.

Here's a few more shots.

This was a fun make.

Thanks for reading!

Sue

Another McCalls 7561

I promised myself I wouldn't make another dress until I had created 10 makes.  And guess what, I did it!  However the first thing I did right after the 10th make, I broke down and made this dress.  

I simply love this beginner patterns from McCalls that have so many different style options.  Below you can see my first make with this: 

I so love this dress from 2017!  I still regularly wear it.  

This time, I went for a summer look: 

All I did with this version is to obviously lengthen it and remove the sleeves.

The issue with taking your own photos is that sometimes you accidently cut off the top of your head!

Look at that, no side boob showing!

I love the neckline on this, both back and front.

The neckline gives you a great place to show off a necklace.

I love my new dress!

Happy sewing!

Sue

Another summer dress--Jalie Nikita

Hi all,

Summer has arrived in full fury and I decided to sew some clothing for the HOT weather.  The pattern I used is the Nikita Workout Tank and Dress.  I made the dress.  Here's an image of the pattern.  

I love the swing style, the racerback and the side seams that end at the front of the dress.  

Here's my make: 

This is made entirely of remnants from other projects.  I consider that to be a free project.  Right?  

This dress is so perfect in hot weather.  It was a high of 96 today with a 'feels like' temp of 112 at its highest.  

I used three fabrics from Stof.  These knits are so amazing.  They sew like a dream.  

I do like the back.  It covers what you need to for a racer-back bra.  It doesn't cover it all, but enough.  

Here is a closer-up of the front.  The bands are very narrow.  I typically like my bands a bit wider.  When I made another version, I will widen these by about a 1/2".  For Jalie patterns, use your full-bust measurement.  It works.

Here's a bit closer of the back.  You can see how the front panel starts at the back.

I can't wait to try the workout top!

Thanks for reading!

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