Today, I am sharing a little change of pace for my blog. Nothing to wear in the post, but an adorable pillow. This pattern is a free pattern courtesy of Rebecca Page.
This pattern is a fun scrap buster. I used a variety of scrap prints, trims, and lace pieces. I used puffy fabric paint for the eye. A mini button from my scrapbooking days makes up the nose and heart accent necklace.
I tacked the fringe of bangs down as they tended to stand up a bit more than I liked. I love how quickly this sewed together and how you can literally use ANYTHING to decorate it.
This pillow measures 10 by 15 inches when finished and did I mention it is a free pattern!
I believe this is the 6th time I have used this pattern! If something is this good, you should use it a lot. As I am writing this post, I am wearing this Virginia tank. I truly love 5oo4 patterns and have enjoyed sewing up so many of them in recent months.
When I practically begged (I was prepared to arm wrestle for it) for this cactus print in the promo group, I knew I had to make a maxi length dress. I had high hopes of taking my photos in the cactus house at Kingwood Center. Sadly, they don’t open until April 1st so that didn’t happen. I do plan to go back and take pictures there especially now that Momma Mia has requested a matching outfit. I think I have sold her on this matching outfit thing. 🙂 I ordered her fabric this morning while it is on sale for 15% off.
Again, I am loving the navy blue in the background of this print. It really makes the lighter greens and white pop in the little cacti. This fabric is double brushed poly. I love double brushed poly and sew everything from dresses to leggings from it. DBP washes well, dries quickly and doesn’t wrinkle. Amelia Lane Designs ships quickly and sometimes includes hand written notes. 🙂
The only adjustments I made to this pattern was adding a backseam to the back of the tank because I wanted to make the most of this fabric and since it is directional it is sometimes harder to Jenga the pattern pieces together. I also added 3 inches to the length of the tank. I also shortened the skirt about 5 inches.
All the options 🙂
Tank top with optional built-in bra
Separate full bust adjustment (FBA) pattern pieces for the tank and bra
Knee length or Maxi length skirt
Skirt can be made from woven or knit fabric
Tank top has two neckline options in the front and two neckline options in the back
Dress can be made with knit waistband or elastic casing
Maternity option
Pockets!
Sizes XXS-5XL
Matching girls’ option! Check out the Girls’ Virginia Tank & Maxi and get 10% off when you buy both patterns at once!
The cool thing about this pattern is you can make a dress or you can make a tank and skirt. I made a tank and a skirt. I think I will get much more wear out of the tank than the dress. Life doesn’t give me loads of days to wear dresses. 🙂
Finally, I sewed myself a little spring number! This dress was 100% brought on by the need to sew for Spring! The current stocking at Amelia Lane Designs is Springy prints and all Double Brushed Poly. DBP fabric is a drapey knit that comes in a huge range of colors and prints. The first one I am sharing has beautiful flowers on a lovely plum background. It is called Bristol. The design and colors are perfect for warmer weather. When my package arrived, it included a note stating that this fabric was the softest brushed poly ever and after working with it, I actually have to agree. It is amazingly soft. I knew I wanted a pretty dress for spring, but also knew I only had 2 yards to work with. Let Fabric Jenga Happen!!
I perused my pattern collection looking for something new and fun. I wanted to sew up something I hadn’t made yet, so I turned to some Ellie and Mac patterns that I missed during my testing break. I choose to make the To The Point. This pattern comes in 3 length options. Here I am wearing the long tunic length. This is the middle length of the options included in the pattern. I also am wearing a mid length sleeve.
Like most Ellie and Mac patterns this one comes in sizes up to 5x. You can choose a slim fit or a loose one. I am honestly not sure how I missed that when I printed the pattern, but I made the slim option. I am not a slim fit kinda gal so I wish I would have realized this before making it.
A few other things to note
Three sleeve options
Two neckline options
Tunic, long tunic or dress length options
Fitted or relaxed version options
The pattern also included directions for color blocking.
This pattern came together very quickly. For some reason, I always feel like garments finish much faster when I do the hemming first. Since this pattern has the point for the hem, I did it first. I also hemmed the sleeves while they were still flat. Super speedy!
I paired my To The Point Slim fitting top with a pair of random pink pants I dyed like 2 years ago and haven’t moved from my closet since. I think they look great with my top and so springy.
You can pick up your own Bristol print fabric here/ It is currently on sale for 15% off, but only until Monday! Hurry up!
To The Point tunic is available here. It has been on sale for 40% off this month, but as luck would have it, this pattern is on FLASH sale! I thought for only Thusday, but it is still marked down! Hurry and get it! No code needed. $3.00 🙂
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You can follow my blog by clicking the Follow button on the right side of my blog.
This blog post contains Affiliate Links. This means that when you make a purchase from one of my affiliate links, I receive a small commission. That helps me to buy more fabric to show you new and upcoming patterns. 🙂 So thank you!!
Another make for Momma Mia! We are so ready for warmer weather and sunshine. Winter has been long here in Ohio. At least the sun is peeking out a little now, and the daffodils are climbing back to the surface of the ground. We are on our way. This is why we need to start our spring and summer sewing. This year, Momma Mia got the first dress of the season.
I love the look of this one, I love the little peek-a-boo cut out in the back. The way all the seams are neatly enclosed inside French Seams, really does make me happy. I wanted to do a quick test run of this dress before using an expensive print or even a chiffon. I had this wild, neon print in my stash for a long time. Years at least. I am sure it came in a yard sale find somewhere. I actually like the way it looks, but sadly, there wasn’t enough to make my top. Momma Mia lucked out on this one for sure! I also used vintage bias tape. I say vintage because it was like 15 cents or something crazy. I used 2 packs. I am sure these came from a yard sale at some point as well. I gave it a few stretches and it seemed to hold up fine. I used it confidently.
According to the size chart she would need a XXL bust, XXXL Waist, and a L in the hips. I ended up only grading back to an XXL at the hips. I should have gone farther in, but this is why we make a muslin. To see what works, what doesn’t, and how we can make it better. I also think I can shorten her back straps just a bit as they tend to gape slightly. Overall, she is happy with the look and feel of this top and that makes me very happy. Now that I have her muslin worked out, I would love to make her the sleeved version so she can wear it everywhere!
This is cut at the dress length, which make be a bit short for some folks preference. I agree, I couldn’t wear it out in public. As I have mentioned before, I just don’t know how to sit like a lady. J This would be a super easy adjustment to make though. You can simply add all the length you need at the Lengthen/ Shorten line which is marked on the pattern. Just slice along that line and insert some extra inches.
A helpful tip I have for you – This pattern calls for bias tape. I believe it is ¼ inch. I *may* have began with 1/8 inch around the back opening. This was a slight nightmare to sew and I suggest you follow the directions on this one! Notice the arms are a wider bias tape. This pattern wasn’t going to get me twice! Another tip- The pattern walks you through sewing French Seams for the sides of the woven version. Rebecca tells you to trim that seam allowance down after sewing right sides together. Again, Don’t ask questions and just do what she says. You will be thankful. Those little threads really do peek out and they really are annoying. No one wants hairy looking seams on their beautiful clothing.
So are you going to add the St. Tropez to your warm weather wardrobe?
Welcome to the Breaking Ground Blog Tour 2019. This year over 25 bloggers from around the world are joining with me to break new ground by trying a pattern designer that is new to them, try new techniques, new styles, or whatever way they want to push themselves. (Read on for Giveaway info)
Welcome to my stop on the Breaking Ground Tour!
Let’s start with what does “Breaking Ground” actually mean. According to a quick google search this morning ‘”Breaking Ground” means to initiate a new venture, or to advance beyond previous achievements. When this blog call came out, I joined right away. I had no clue what I would sew and went back and forth for a week or so until I settled on a bag. I searched online for tons of bag patterns, not finding anything I loved. I also recently started this new budget deal with myself, so I didn’t want to spend 10 bucks on a pattern. I decided I would look through my own stash of patterns and see what I could come up with. Thankfully, I remembered I had a book dedicated to making bags. I have made one Market Style bag in the book several times. It was a simple tote bag that required very little skill. Since this tour is about Breaking Ground, I knew I was meant to step it up a bit. So here we go…
This bag contains a lot of elements I have never done before. I learned how to insert a separating zipper, made 5 different shapes of pockets, used actual purse hardware and made a legit handle. I feel like I used yards of interfacing and top stitched miles of thread. To top it off, I used 4 different fabrics because that’s just how I roll. I followed the pattern almost to Kay Whitt’s design with a few exceptions.
To start with I needed 4 fabrics. Of course, I picked all different prints. None of them match each other and I used 3 different fabric lines. Don’t panic, I know some of you are all matchy- matchy, but I can’t stand that! I also used some large D rings I scavenged from an old beat up bag I already had. I keep interfacing on hand so no need to risk my budget deal with a trip to the fabric store.
This pattern had 10 ish pages of directions in the book. I know, I agree, that is a lot of work. I worked through them one step at a time over the course of 2 weeks. I finished around midnight this morning. Some days, the struggle really is real. This pattern is labeled intermediate and I agree. Though none of the steps were overly difficult, they took a lot of time. The photos that accompany the directions are basically line drawings with color. On some steps this was helpful, but many times I wanted to see a real photo of what I needed to do.
The only step of this pattern that seemed off to me was the side pockets. The side panel and the pocket piece were cut the same width, but then you add a 1 inch pleat to the pocket. This made the pocket one inch smaller than the panel, but the directions say to line it up. Ummm No Can Do! I also had a small hiccup at this step because I attached my top binding over the folded edge instead of the raw edge. This required that I line the pockets up across the bottom of the bag instead of them floating an inch from the bottom. Not a deal breaker and this girl wasn’t ripping the pleated and binding off, nor was I starting the pockets again. I also redrew the pocket flap on the outside as this patterns that are included when you buy the book have done missing. I just used my curved ruler and went for it.
The inside of this bag contains on sectioned off pocket and one pocket with an elastic top. I wouldn’t have minded both of these pockets being a little deeper or even a zipper pocket for small things like chapstick.
As I was sewing this bag up, I thought I would maybe try to make a bag each month. We will see. I would actually love a matching wallet to go with this bag. Maybe next month.
So my thoughts: I love the outcome. I honestly feel like I stitched miles of thread into this bag and zippers aren’t so bad. I wish the pattern listed all of the cutting steps at the start and not randomly in the pattern. I feel it would have saved time to cut and interface everything at the start of the project. I was clearing off my cutting table and ironing board way too frequently. I also wouldn’t have minded some real photos instead of just line drawings.
Do I feel like I am Breaking Ground? Absolutely! Here are the other Ground Breakers! be sure to check them out, but read to the bottom of my blog to sign up for PRIZES!!!
The Full Tour includes all these creatives… we hope you’ll visit us each day:
We’d love to see how you’re Breaking Ground this month. Share with us what you’re working on by using the hashtag #BreakingGround2019 across social media.
Did you all go buy Liverpool yesterday? No? It is still on sale at Amelia Lane Designs. Save 15% off! Better not wait too long because some of it has already sold out!
So the fabric I am using today is Hanna. Hanna is another beautiful floral print on Liverpool. My original plan was to make an off the shoulder top as several have popped up in my social media lately and I was sorta loving it. I checked out the new releases and they weren’t in my size range. This annoys me so much. I understand that not every company can make every size and style and not everyone will be happy, but may I hate when I want something and can’t have it…so I am hacking Nora. I have made one other Nora from the DIBY Club. You can see it here.
So the first thing I needed to tackle is the Off the shoulder look. Nora doesn’t come this way, but I am using it because it is a great base pattern and I hadn’t used it is so long. I had decided I was going to size up two sizes. I did this for two reasons. One- Liverpool is much less stretchy than most knits and Two- I wanted the comfy slouchy look. The first thing we need to do it make a full pattern instead of using the “Cut on the Fold” technique is open up the neckline. I just printed it again, assembled another half, cut it out, and flipped it over and taped the halves together. I didn’t remove the seam allowance because I intended to make this shirt oversized anyhow. I wanted only one shoulder to be slouchy so I used my rotary cutter to widen the neckline. My pattern then looked like this. I used this as a guide to make the Back Bodice match, but be careful you are adjusting the correct shoulder since the back has a seam. I choose to do elbowish length sleeves with skinny bands. To recalculate my neckband I simply measured around the opening then multiplied that number by 85%. Whaaaala! 🙂 Now cut fabric and assemble as usual. I did the split side seam option instead of a band and added 3 inches of length to the pattern to continue my slouchy look!
Ta-da Now you have a great slouchy one should hack!
Here is a direct link to the New Arrival Sale at Amelia Lane Designs. This print is called Hanna. You only have one more day to shop! Don’t miss out! ALD offers super fast shipping and of course beautiful fabrics!
You read that right! Take 3! That means I have made this cardigan 3 times now. I feel like sometimes I can’t get enough of a good thing! This cardigan is a good thing for sure!
The first time (Here) I made it with some junkie Walmart fabric with terrible recovery. It grew and grew and it wasn’t pretty. The second time (Here) I used beautiful double brushed poly and hacked it as a guest blogger on EAM. So that brings us up to Take 3 and I am using Liverpool.
So my cardigan came about because I needed to share some major Liverpool love with you guys! I love Liverpool fabric first off. I love the slightly textured, semi structured look of it. I really like the way it doesn’t cling in places I don’t wish to show off also! It comes in tons of colors and prints also. I have Liverpool T-shirts, peplums, pencil skirt, and now a cardigan. So let’s get down to it, Shall we?
This is the first time I have used Amelia Lane Designs fabric! I was happy to be invited to their promo team recently and I was given my choice between several types of fabrics to promote and then again several print options as well. I chose to use two different Liverpool prints! I am going to share one of them today and the second one tomorrow! So get ready!!! This fabric is a New Release and is 15% off, but only until Monday.
This print is called Cheyenne. I loved it immediately when I saw it. I love the vintage feel of the floral print and I loved that it is on a navy background. So many florals on are black backgrounds so this one really called to me and I was thrilled when I was picked for it. Amelia Lane has a few other Liverpool prints that are on sale for 15% off too!
While waiting for my fabric to arrive, I tested a few different patterns out. I am always nervous when trying a pattern with a fabric that isn’t recommended. Liverpool doesn’t have near the stretch as a knit like Double Brushed Poly so sometimes, you may have to bump the size up one for a perfect fit. I had a few fails, but literally couldn’t wait to sew it up when it arrived. After a quick wash and dry, I begin cutting the pieces out for the Be Mine Cardigan. I knew I wanted to reduce the amount of gathering in the seam that attaches the bodice to the skirt. The reason I wanted to do this is because Liverpool is a thicker fabric and a little heavier in weight. I was worried this could make that seam appear more bunched up. I reduced the skirt width by about 10 inches overall. I spread that distance evenly between the three skirt pieces. I needed a Full Bicep Adjustment. I added 1.5 inches. I wish I would have added 2.5 inches looking back. My sleeve is a little snug. This is caused by the stretch percentage of the fabric. I cut the sleeve length based on the amount of fabric I had left. Turns out, I love this length. Perfect for wearing down and lovely when pushed up just a bit. My tip when doing this pattern or any pattern with a long facing, cut that piece first. Sometimes after everything else is cut, it is impossible to win at Fabric Tetris when you need a long facing or binding and you don’t cut it out first. I frequently end up cutting mine in several pieces. I don’t mind a seam at the back of the neck, but this one also ended up with an extra seam on each side near the bottom front. On a print this isn’t horribly noticeable, but on a solid it will be.
Let’s talk details:
Fabric: Liverpool called Cheyenne from Amelia Lane Designs. Here is your direct link and it is currently on sale for 15% off but only until Monday!
Today is Jessica’s Birthday so we are celebrating!!
One of my top favorite pattern companies because everything comes with loads of options and sizes up to 5x!! Here is my 5oo4 wall of fame. This is about 85% of my 5004 sews from the last year!!
Thanks for visiting my stop of the Rebecca Page Double Duty blog tour! All of the bloggers have been sharing some great hacks to help you get more bang for your pattern bucks! I am kinda a thrifty gal, so when this tour came up, I couldn’t wait to join! Then folks started talking about their ideas and I thought I was probably in over my head. I kept several ideas in mind, but I knew I wanted to hack the Circle Cardigan into a garment I could wear in more than just winter.
My original cardigan was made from this amazingly soft and snuggle worthy, Hacci Sweater knit. I love it, I wear it often. I will miss it when winter ends and the heat of summer rolls around. BUT just because sweater season will be ending soon, doesn’t mean I should put away The Circle Cardigan pattern. Let’s hack it for warmer weather! Here we go!!
You will need:
The pattern printed in your size. If you need to grade it, now is the time! You just need to print the short length and the ¾ length sleeve. The band is up to you, I just hemmed the circle.
Fabric and matching thread
Tube Turners
Sewing machine, Serger is optional
Marker
Ruler
The first thing we need to do is shorten the overall length of the cardigan. I decided to remove 6 inches from the bottom length. I used my ruler to mark 6 inches up from the bottom of my current pattern piece. I began at the center back and worked my way towards the side. I knew I wanted to grade inward so it would still be a circle cardigan. I made graduated marks at 5 in, 4 in, 3 in, 2 in, then finally 1 inch.
2. Now use a French curve to connect all of these marks.
3. Trim the pattern into your new shorter length and set aside. Get your sleeve piece out.
4. I shorted my sleeve to slightly above the 3/4 sleeve option. This is up to you. What length do you prefer? Cut out your fabric. Mark the center of your sleeve. I drew a line down the middle then used my ruler to cut a long 2 inch rectangle out of the center. Again the length depends on you, but leave enough to have room for seam allowances and hemming.
5. Outline the rectangle with wash away seam tape then folded the edges back. You will have to make small snips at the corners so it lays flat. Just tiny ones will do the trick! I topstitched here to hold it in place as well.
6. Next we need to make tubes. I just cut several long strips from my scraps. They are 1.5 inches wide by whatever length my scrap was. I serged them into long ribbons then used my medium tube turner to quickly flip them.
MAGIC
7. Now take your sleeve and lay it wrong side up on your ironing board. I used pins to “shape” my opening. I measured to be sure it was mostly square. I then pinned it to the ironing board. Now use a marker to divide your opening into equal sections. I did 2 inches apart vertically and eyeballed it to be level horizontally. I then made a criss cross pattern with my tubes and pinned down the points. Carefully, pull your entire sleeve up and off the ironing board. I stress carefully because I flung pins everywhere the first time. 🙂
8. Stitch criss cross tubes in place. Sew slowly! Remove the pins are you go! Lengthen your stitch. I went up to 3.0! If your presser foot starts to push your criss crosses, just lift the foot up and set it down on top of them! Breathe! You are in charge here. See how my corners are a bit rounded out? Continue making square corners so it looks neat from the front side! When you have stitched all the way around, cut your threads. I also trimmed the tails of my criss cross tubes. Be careful. One slip and you will be sad.
Are you ready for the big reveal?!?!
Criss Cross Sleeve Complete! Perfect vents for warmed temps!
I am loving my new spring look! I wish the grass was greener in this pic, but in truth it is still 30* with another snow storm heading out way!
Let’s Talk Fabric: Both of these prints are from Sly Fox Fabrics! Sly Fox ships within 24 hours so you could be wearing this combo before next weekend!
Double Brushed Poly Glen Plaid in Mustard Houndstooth is the cardigan print! You can shop here.
The colorful Mandela Print has been sold out for awhile, so feel free to beg the Foxes for its return. I love this print here and think it would look amazing with the houndstooth.
The regular pattern comes in sizes up to 5x with these options
2 length options (short or long),
3 hem options (plain, band or ruffle)
3 sleeve options (sleeveless, ¾ and full length)
Have you checked out the rest of the tours on the Double Duty Blog Tour?? What are you waiting for?? All the links and a raffle for some free Rebecca Page Goodness are below!
More Inspiration
Please visit all the stops on the Rebecca Page Double Duty Blog Tour for more great inspiration:
This blog post contains Affiliate Links. This means that when you make a purchase from one of my affiliate links, I receive a small commission. That helps me to buy more fabric to show you new and upcoming patterns. 🙂 So thank you!!
When I practically begged (I was prepared to arm wrestle for it) for this cactus print in the promo group, I kne
Click Below To Enter Both Giveaways
Thanks for visiting my stop of the Rebecca Page Double Duty blog tour! All of the bloggers have been sharing some great hacks to help you get more bang for your pattern bucks! I am kinda a thrifty gal, so when this tour came up, I couldn’t wait to join! Then folks started talking about their ideas and I thought I was probably in over my head. I kept several ideas in mind, but I knew I wanted to hack the Circle Cardigan into a garment I could wear in more than just winter.
SequoiaLynn Sews 