Rebecca Page Isabella Skirt

This was a fun sew for me.  I became a Brand Ambassador for Rebecca Page Patterns and this was my first pattern I tested.  I love the style, the elastic waist, and now I can't wait to see what's in store for me for next month's make!  

Here's a pic of the super fun pattern!

I also included a link to the pattern page as my skirt is one of those that are featured!  Isabella Skirt

This is a beginner-friendly pattern.  It has a flat front waist with an elastic back.  The skirt is very full and is floor length.  There's a fun addition of lace or contrast fabric you can highlight as well.  

You pick your size based on your waist.  That as well as the length is all you need to worry about.  

Also, have fun with your fabric choice!  I used this silky print from JoAnns.  Since I wasn't familiar with this pattern company, for my test garment, I didn't want to use something that I spent large bucks on.  This fit the bill, plus it's washable.  I did order the lace from Fabric.Com.  I wasn't sure it would arrive in time for the deadline, but luckily it did! I think it is the perfect addition to the skirt. 

  And, did I mention that after I finished this, I fell so in love that I determined this my make for photos!  Yep, I like it that much.  

There aren't any surprises with this pattern.  It's simple and there is a step by step photo and text.  It's very detailed.  No head scratching with this! 

I also made my tee to match.  This is the Gem Tee by StyleArc.  I've been working on perfecting the fit and I really love how this fits and the color!  Did I mention that I simply love this soft peachy-pink color?  

That's it!  I hope you'll try this pattern.  It's fun!

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

StyleArc Gem Knit Tee

Today for you I have another top, this time an knit tee from StyleArc.  I am such a SA fan!  

Here's what this one looks like: 

If you've sewn a SA pattern before, you know the instructions are very sparse.  However, if you've made a tee shirt, you don't even need directions.  

For this top, I was scrap-busting.  The solid front was a remnant.  The black lace was from my stash.  It's a designer lace from Fabric Mart.  You'll notice the back hem is longer than the front.  It's also curved.

I used the lace on the sleeves as well.  For the sleeves, I wanted them slightly flared.  I slashed the sleeves in six places and put a 1/4" insert to add almost an inch to the total space.  I had hoped it would flare a bit more but I should have known with the limited amount I added that it wouldn't be dramatic at all.  

I didn't hem the sleeves.  I found an area of the lace to just cut around and that design became the hem.  

For the lower hemline, I used clear SewkeysE hem tape that was an inch wide.  I like using one-inch hems in my knits so they don't curl.  I used the same tape only 1/2" wide to stabilize the shoulders.

I found this tee a bit snug for me through the shoulder area.  In measuring my shoulder breadth, I added across the back neck area between the points where the neck and shoulder join.  I also added from the neck/shoulder junction to the shoulder area.

I used Designer Joi's method to fit the bust area.  I so love her method!

Now that I have a good fit on this tee, you'll see more of these!

Thanks for reading!

Sue

A Very Easy Vogue jacket 9247

I'm back with something I thought about trying for a long time--a jacket with lace!

 

This pattern is Vogue 9247.  I purchased this for option D but after I received my lace and noticed the flaw in it, I knew I only had enough to make view C.  I am not disappointed with the result at all but dang, it would have been nice if the company I purchased it from cut after the flaw.  

This went together really well and is a fast make.  

The black is a knit that has a feel and look of a suede. It's been in my stash for quite a while and I thought it would be perfect for this and I think it was!   

This is a generously sized pattern.  I made a medium and found I didn't need an FBA--probably due to the knit. 

I made a sloping shoulder adjustment and swayback adjustment.  That's it!

The black lace with the blue is from Zeng's.  This is my first purchase from them.

There aren't any closures on this.  

My lace didn't have a finished upper edge.  I tried to dye some ivory cotton lace jet black, but it turned out a dark gray--not appropriate at all.  I followed those directions to a T.  So disappointing!  

Isn't that lace fun?  

I found this black trim at JoAnns.  It is washable, just like the black fabric and the lace.  It sewed easily and I think it works with the overall vibe of the rest of the jacket.

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

Simplicity 1467 top made with some precious silk!

Hello all! I have been sewing up a storm lately and one of the projects to complete this summer was to use this silk fabric my son and daughter-in-law brought me from their trip to Thailand.  This gorgeous silk was a pashima.  It is very delicate and required some care to work with.

I had made a different top with the other portions of the silk that was a total wader even though I had made a muslin and worked out the fit details.  Again, it was due to this fabric being super delicate.  I managed to have enough left over to put together this top with a contrast back.  I am so much happier with this!  

Here is the pattern I used:

                        
I like the clean lines of the top and the fact it is sleeveless.  

                 

This fabric is also somewhat iridescent.  See what I mean when you look at the photos?


             

I really like the pink back!  This isn't the most precise sewing I've ever done but I knew from previous experience working with this fabric that what ever happened, was going to stay that way, much like when you sew with leather.
   

I did my best to sew very carefully but this was the 'shiftiest' fabric I have ever sewn with!!!

I did have to cut the front yoke on the bias.  I think it is fine given the jumbled way the elephants are strewn on this fabric.  

I enjoyed sewing this!

Thanks for reading!

Sue

Yet another Rova....

I hope you aren't getting tired of seeing another posting about the Jalie Rova.  This is perhaps my favorite dress pattern of the summer.  This is my third version and I love it as much as my other two!  

If you've been living under a rock and didn't realize that Jalie released a whole slew of new patterns this past spring, here is the one I keep creating.  With that styling and the fact it is made from a woven just makes my heart sing!

I am so in love with these embroidered denims.  This one was purchased from Fabric.com.  

Which of course means you have to cut this out on the crossgrain.  

This 'denim' is the weight of a chambray--perfect for this style of dress. 

 

Once again, I made my bias tape using that rectangle method.  So if you've never done this before, you  make a continuous bias tape by sewing the long ends of the rectangle together but you offset them by the finished width of the tape.  Then you cut carefully measuring as you cut.  I ended up with enough tape to bind the neckband and armsyces.

When I was planning the layout of this pattern, I made sure the long portion of the 'lace' was center front and center back.  This of course meant that I was unable to match my side seams.   I also made this slightly longer than my last dress.  That one, I made to hit above my knee, where the quadricep curves towards the inner leg...not sure if that makes any sense, but it hit me about 2.5 inches shorter than this one.  With the lace, I didn't want anyone to get any glimpses of anything I was unwilling to show!

I have a few other ideas for this dress but for now I must put it aside.  I hope I remember what my plans are next spring when it is warm again!

Thanks for reading!
Sue

A girl needs some gold....

My daughter Katy has discovered she has something in common with her momma: her love for leggings!  Aren't they awesome?  So comfortable and they make so many great outfits!
Katy asked for GOLD leggings and we found this gold performance fabric at JoAnns.  It was really nice to work with.

The pattern we used was one that I just picked up.  I purchased it for the adorable tunics, but we also decided to test the fit of the leggings.  Here it is:




I am totally in love with the back of B and C.  But I digress so back to the leggings.

               

On the model they look more like stretch woven pants rather than traditional leggings so I knew we'd need to make alterations.  After I stitched them together and held them up, I realized that two of my daughter could fit into them!  I took these in no less than 4 inches everywhere.

Katy is 5'3" and the length was also too long,  We chopped off at least 3, if not 4 inches from the bottom.

                 

We made a swayback adjustment as well.

DD2 loves these!

If you are wondering about the lace top, I made that as well, for myself but DD snatched it.  The pattern is from Jalie and is the Raglan Top and dress.  I wanted a simple design for the lace. The lace was purchased from Hobby Lobby.  They have a few gems once in a while.  

                 
                            

I just used the dress length and added about 2 inches to it.  This pattern goes together really well.  If you haven't tried it, what are you waiting for?

                   

Thanks for reading!
Sue

Sewing up some fun! Simplicity 8215

How FUN is this top from Simplicity? If you were me, you'd make this one too!

Image from Sewing Pattern Review.  Of course, it looks amazing on the model who is pretty, young, and thin.  

At first, I was going to make this pattern as it is, but I couldn't find any lining fabric for the lace bodice that worked.  

I really didn't mind the sleeves sheer and I just love how full and flowing they are!

So, since I used the main fabric to line the bodice, I was stumped as to how to finish the neckline until I thought--duh--just create a facing or use bias tape.  I made my own bias tape and it worked beautifully.  I even used it on the back neck slit.  

This fabric and lace were from the Casa collection from Joann's.  While I don't go to Joann's to purchase fabric, I did see these two matching-colored fabrics and decided it was worth making a muslin.  

If I create this again, I will make an FBA with a dart.  I did make my usual swayback adjustment and also a sloping shoulder adjustment.

I really love the little collar, bodice and sleeve details.  What are you sewing right now?

Sue