Spectrum of Shapes ~ DIBY – Adrienne

Several months ago, The Sarcastic Sewist and I were chatting about how to keep our blogs rolling during the new year. We decided that we would do a bit of a comparison on how we, as curvy sewing bloggers, are adjusting patterns to fit our bodies. We spoke with another curvy blogger, Chaney of Twinkle Toes and Company, and she hopped on board with us. We choose to work with the Adrienne from DIBY.Club. This pattern is cute and fun. DIBY also has the largest size range that I personally test for. Our rules were simple. Make the pattern and adjust it to your liking and for your personal fit. We plan to do this quarterly so stay turned for the Spectrum of Shapes tour!

I knew I would need to blend sizes, which is often the first step in getting a custom fit. At the Diby.club, I am a 30 bust and a 26 waist and hips. Here is a great link to the DIBY blog about measuring. I printed my pattern and followed the fit advice included with the pattern on grading. I knew that I wanted to add some length to the top because the side detailing makes the open sides pretty high up on me and I don’t want to show my business or my belly to the world. I added 3 inches to the length. I added this above the bands so I didn’t have to work out an adjustment for that, but DIBY explains how to do it in the directions. I am kinda lazy at sewing and was also in a hurry so… LOL Anyhow pattern adjusted and sizes blended next up, I am ready to sew. If you want to see my first round of making the Adrienne, here is that link.

I used this great Shark/Underwater print for my top. It is a Cotton Lycra base which means is has excellent recovery. The pattern called for very drapy knit with low recovery actually. I tend to avoid things what don’t bounce back from pulling and stretching as I am kinda rough on clothing. I believe that is why my shirt is more structured than most others.

I chose to make the crew neck this time as my previous one has a cowl which makes it a little heavy for warmer weather. This top features a center back seam that allows the shirt to have a little more contouring and makes it super easy to cut out especially when you have small amounts of fabric! That was not my case as I bought the entire bolt of this print!

I also made the elbow sleeve option and added a narrow band instead of the larger cuff. I love the overlapping side bands and with the video on the DIBY blog they are super easy to install.

 

Overall, I am happy with my top, but wish I would have gone down one or two sizes. I think it is this fabric which makes it appear a little bulkier than I prefer.

If you would like to pick up the Adrienne pattern from DIBY club feel free to use my Aff. Link here . If you need more convincing… just visit my friends below over the next few days! Also be sure to sign up for a chance to win a free pattern from the DIBY Club down at the bottom.

Be sure to check out the other gorgeous bloggers sharing
their gorgeous shapes with all the right alterations of this lovely DIBY Adrienne!

Sequoia Lynn Sews

Twinkle Toes and Company

Sarcastic Sewist

Don’t forget to enter to win a free DIBY pattern, so you can sew up your own DIBY to fit your lovely shape here!

I have shared my Aff. Links in this post. That means I make a bit of a commission onany patterns you purchase. It doesn’t change your price at all, just shows me your love. 🙂

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• You can follow my blog by clicking the Follow button on the right side of my blog.
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Copy Cat: 12 Months, 1 Pattern, No Repeats – March

I am back with month 3 of my Copy Cat Series based off of month 3 of sewing along with the Sarcastic Sewist, Stephanie! I tell her at last once every couple of week that I hope she does this again next year so I can copy her again! 🙂 Do you think 12 months worth of nagging with convince her? Make sure you hop over to her blog and show her some love as well! Stephanie decided to make her joggers more work appropriate by using Ponte for her pants. I have sewed a few items with ponte before and my favorite RTW pants are ponte. If you have never sewn with ponte, here are a few details.

Ponte knit is a combination of rayon, polyester and spandex. The thick, double-knit fabric provides a two-way stretch; it molds to your body shape while providing a smooth and streamlined silhouette.

Everything about that statement sounds great to me! I love that it has a heavier weight which means it won’t cling to everything and kinda smooths out the lumps and bumps.  Also, it doesn’t wrinkle! So my Teal Ponte arrived in perfect timing for a 20% off new release sale over at Amelia Lane Designs! Let me just link you to all the new arrivals which are on sale!  This fabric was so lovely when it arrived. The color is bold and it is so soft. I knew it was going to be perfect for my pants! Since this month we were making full length pants, I ordered 3 yards. I have some nice sized pieces leftover and I am thinking of putting them to use as a panel skirt or some nice shorts. This is a fabric I don’t intend to let it make it to the scrap pile.

OK back to my Copy Cat. The Diane Joggers turned work wear! I prepared my pattern pieces as usual and cut things out quickly. I used the high rise this time for my rise option. This time the pocket is sewn on the inside which makes the overall look a little dressier. Stephanie did a quick step by step with the directions and I plan to take photos of my next pair so I can remember how to do them. She walked me through step by step of making my pockets because my brain wasn’t working.

Pocket Hack!

Since I now have made 4 pair of these pants, it is getting quicker and easier to assemble! I don’t even need the directions anymore! I feel like a pro! I graded the 5x waist to a 4x thinking it would be a little more snug of a fit compared to DBP and the FT we used previously but it was fine. I ended up slimming the pants down. Here is a side by side. The first photo is the 4x leg, the 2nd photo is a 3x. As you can see, major photo quality issues. Ugg First pics are from a cell phone because I forgot my memory card for my camera and the second one I bought a new memory card and it didn’t work!!! So is was taken with a tablet.

In true Copy Cat form, I needed her shirt also! I love the red fabric she used, but I wanted to share another new release fabric from Amelia Lane Designs. This is Winston, a super sexy cheetah print that I kinda fell in love with when I saw it! This is Rayon Spandex fabric. It is light and flowy and perfect for Camilla. Camilla is a beautiful cowl neck pattern, also from 5oo4, which comes as a top or a dress. There are a couple of other options included:

• Sleeveless, Short, Elbow, 3/4, Long, and Extra Long Sleeves;
• Shirt, Tunic, A-line Dress, and Swing Dress;
• Maternity option;
• Band option for each sleeve length, including thumbhole cuffs;
• Hem Band Option;
• Optional Pockets for Swing Dress; and
• Optional ruched sides of bodice.

I feel like 5oo4 patterns is known for the endless options with each pattern! It is one of the things I love about the 5 out of 4 pattern company! I also love that they are size inclusive up to 5x and helpful when you need tips.

Here is the pattern link for The Diane Joggers  

Women’s Sizes XXS – 5X plus all these options

• 3 rise heights (low/maternity, mid, and high)
• Shorts, Capri, and Long cut lengths
• 4 leg finishes – cuffed, hemmed, drawstring, or elastic
• Information for both hemming and using bands (hello no hemming!)
• 6 waistband options – Encased elastic, drawstring, Knit, Yoga Foldover, Contour, Maternity (underbelly)

The Camilla Pattern is available here.

Both of these fabrics and soooo many more are available for 20% off for one more day!! Don’t miss it! Here is a direct link to Amelia Lane Designs.

I have shared my Aff. Links in this post. That just means I make a bit of a commission all any patterns you purchase.

Are you following me on other social media? Here are my links.

• You can follow my blog by clicking the Follow button on the right side of my blog.
• You can follow me on Instagram by clicking here.
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Hayley

Another lovely skirt pattern from Rebecca Page. This one features a hi lo hem line in the front, optional pocket, and a decorative sash. The skirt is made up of 5 fabric panels which give it some extra ooommph!

I sewed my Hayley from a vintage sheet! I picked this one up at a thrift store some time ago. I actually really like using old sheets for full skirts because they have already been washed to softness, come in great prints and patterns that you aren’t likely to see someone else wearing and they tend be to cheap! This sheet has a tag in it labeled 100% muslin. Full skirts like this often take 4-5 yards of fabric in my size depending on how wide the fabric is even though I am short. That would make for 30-50 bucks worth of fabric. If I spend that on fabric, it better be on something super special that I plan to wear for a long time. Like a coat or boots or bras.

These sheets can be picked up for usually less than 5 bucks each at yard sales, flea markets and thrift stores. My aunt recently replenished my sheet stash when she cleaned out her closet! There are some fantastic prints in there and I can’t wait to show you!

Since not all height requirements are created the same, Rebecca Page doesn’t include a line marked on the pattern for this. Thankfully, there are full details for height adjusting in every Rebecca Page pattern. This one suggests splitting your pattern and the ¼ mark from the top then overlapping and redrawing the line to go shorter. J This worked well for me as I had to remove a few inches. Be sure to do this to all of the panel pieces in the pattern.

I used my serger to sew nearly my entire skirt. The serger makes it difficult to turn the corners for the pockets so I did return to my sewing machine for this. I also top stitched with my sewing machine. Even though the serger provides a neat and clean finish, I really to miss the French Seams from my Arabella. I think, in the future, I will stick to that technique.

Rebecca Page patterns are always sized to Women’s 5x which makes them inclusive to many sewists. Hayley includes a sash and pockets but they are both optional. Adding them is easy with the well written directions, but without them this sews up quickly. After cutting my fabric, I spent about 3-4 hours completing my skirt.

Women’s Pattern Link

Women’s and Kid’s Pattern Bundle Link

If you are loving all the Rebecca Page Skirts, How about a bundle?

Skirt Collections Bundle  Link

Here are 3 of the 5 included patterns!

I have shared my Aff. Links in this post. That just means I make a bit of a commission all any patterns you purchase.

Are you following me on other social media? Here are my links.

• You can follow my blog by clicking the Follow button on the right side of my blog.
• You can follow me on Instagram by clicking here.
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The Stevie Skirt- Rebecca Page

Do you need an outfit like super-fast? I know that I am not the only person who waits until the last minute when I need a special outfit to wear to an event. The Stevie is just about the easiest skirt EVER! Since this pattern is designed to be made with knit fabrics, there are no zippers or buttons to install which makes it a super fast and super easy project. It is sort of an instant gratification project honestly. Print, Tape, Cut, Sew, ENJOY! It will take you an hour or so.

This flowy knit skirt can be worn for so many occasions. I made the longest length, which is the maxi. I shorted the length by several inches, I am only 5’1 so this is common in nearly every  bottoms pattern I sew. Measure your height and compare it to the pattern before cutting your fabric. Adjust for the length before cutting into your fabric stash. This skirt does come with 4 length options, so you can customize it for year-round use or one for every season.

The Stevie is also perfect for a Momma and Me set because there is a newborn girls to 12 years pattern starting. If that isn’t enough, there is a 18 inch baby doll pattern too! This is the perfect pattern to take advantage of a bundle deal because everyone wears skirts!

 

My Opinions: Comes together super quickly and is a basic no frills skirt. Instant Gratification! The size range is very inclusive from 18 inch doll to 5X women’s. This is a great starter skirt or perfect if you just need to get your “Sew-Jo” back. As is typical of Rebecca Page patterns, this one is well drafted with excellent directions.

Recently this skirt was added into a Skirt Bundle and I am going to be showing you several of the skirts in the next week or so. I have gathered all of the links to all the Stevie patterns and bundle offers… Keep reading!!

Women’s skirt only $9.50

Stevie Skirt Bundle$18.00

• Women’s
• Kids
• Doll

Women’s Skirt Bundle $29.50

and it includes all of these gorgeous patterns:

• Hayley
• Stevie
• Arabella
• Paige
• Peggy

 

I have shared my Aff. Links in this post. That just means I make a bit of a commission all any patterns you purchase.

Are you following me on other social media? Here are my links.

• You can follow my blog by clicking the Follow button on the right side of my blog.
• You can follow me on Instagram by clicking here.
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Copy Cat: 12 Months, 1 Pattern, No Repeats – February

Let’s start with the epic sale that 5 out of 4 patterns is having right now! They have marked all of their dress patterns 25% off to help you get ready for Easter, but I bet a lot of you need Mother’s Day dresses and pretty dresses for upcoming weddings!! Why not pick up these amazing patterns while they are 25% off? Just click my above link and check out everything on sale…Trust me…It is a lot!

But right now, let’s talk about today’s new outfit! Remember my Copy Cat post from last month? The one where I am copying Stephanie at Sarcastic Sewist. She is sewing up 12 versions of the Diane Joggers and she has promised they will all be different! This is my February Copy Cat outfit. Again, I used the Diane Joggers patterns, but this time I am using Double Brushed Poly. Stephanie kicked it up a notch by throwing in the use of plaid. Yep, plaid on pants. Plaid print that I needed to attempt to match up so I didn’t go totally crazy each time I put them on. With a lot of time (a whole lot of time) I got them lined up to a semi respectable manner. I tried hard to make Stephanie proud! For February we are making capris!! I sewed a straight 4X as DBP has a great deal of stretch! I actually wish I would have used the 3x pattern lines for the legs. I would have preferred them just a tad more snug! I used the middle height of the waistband options and used the encased elastic. If you choose to do bottonholes with a drawstring that would be lovely. Don’t forget I wrote a tutorial post to help you make buttonholes. Again I added front pockets, but unlike Stephanie, I wimped out on making patch pockets for the booty. My pattern patching skills aren’t that great and at this point my patience was running slim!

See they are sorta matched!

In the original outfit, Stephanie used the Knot Your Average Top from 5oo4. Sadly, The Knot Your Average Top doesn’t come in my size. I swapped with the Jessie top which is another great pattern from 5 out of 4 and it happens to be part of the big 25% off sale because it is also a dress. Remember, it is Momma Mia’s favorite dress.  I again used double brushed poly for my top. Jessie is a slim fitting top and it I graded out a bit more than the 5x line which is the largest size included. My shirt is still a little more slim that I typically wear. I added a little to the shirt length to have this top at a length I feel better about wearing. I used the high front low back option for my shirt and criss crossed the back opening with thin turned tubes. This shirt sews fairly quickly once you get your tubes turned out. This is Momma Mia’s favorite dress and she has requested a new one for spring. As we all know #Whatmommawantsmommagets! I will sew her a new one this weekend.

 

Booty plaid matching!

Let’s talk about my fabric! Both of my fabrics are from Stitchin’ Pretties. The plaid print is called Kenzie and the print is Navy. Both are double brushed poly and sew up neatly. I used my serger for most of the construction. I used my regular machine to stitch down my criss cross tube pattern and for hemming. Both of these prints are available at Stitchin’ Pretties. While you are there, you should check out the clearance section and the code that will get you some fabric for $3.50! Laura has super fast shipping and you will be overly impressed with the fabrics!

All the Details:

The Diane Joggers pattern includes:

• 3 rise heights (low/maternity, mid, and high)
• Shorts, Capri, and Long cut lengths
• 4 leg finishes – cuffed, hemmed, drawstring, or elastic
• Information for both hemming and using bands (hello no hemming!)
• 6 waistband options – Encased elastic, drawstring, Knit, Yoga Foldover, Contour, Maternity (underbelly)

This is my 3rd pair of joggers! Let’s do the math. 3 pair divided into $9.95 equals $3.32 per pair! I can’t wait to see what it works our to when I have an entire year’s worth of these pants! You can pick up your Diane Pattern using my Aff. Link here. 

 

The Jessie Pattern Includes:

• Top, Tunic, Short Dress, and Knee Length Dress Lengths
• 5 Sleeve Lengths: Sleeveless, Short, Elbow, 3/4, and Long
• Multiple Back Options: High, Low Ballerina, Racerback Insert, and Strappy Back

This is my 5th Jessie. Let’s do that math. 5 Jessie’s divided into $7.95 equals $1.59 per use. Also don’t forget there is another one coming for Momma Mia this weekend. I like to buy patterns that work for me, that I will make more than one option, and I like! If I spend money on a pattern, I like to count the pattern prince in with the fabric price to figure the cost of my item. When it works out to $1.59 a use… it is totally worth it to me! You can pick up Jessie and all the other Sale dresses here.

I may have even wore my Jessie Top for some impromptu target practice! I am channeling my inner Charlie’s Angel here.

 

I have shared my Aff. Links in this post. That just means I make a bit of a commission all any patterns you purchase.

Are you following me on other social media? Here are my links.

• You can follow my blog by clicking the Follow button on the right side of my blog.
• You can follow me on Instagram by clicking here.
• You can follow me on Facebook by clicking here.

Discoverer Tee – Rediscovered

Women’s Discoverer Tee has gotten an update and a few new options. Ellie and Mac has been working through updating some of her older patterns to expand their size range, the format, improve fit and typically adds an option or two. If you haven’t sewn this top, give it a go! I love that it can be easily color blocked and that I was able to use scraps to assemble my top! Ellie and Mac currently has a sale on all patterns. Buy one, Get one FREE!

I sewed the 4x graded to a 5x at the waist. I added 2.5 inches to length and added 2.5 inches to the bicep as this pattern is very slim fitting. I chose to sew the long sleeve option with the newly added sleeve cuff.  This pattern now comes with 3 sleeve lengths an included sleeve bands. There is also an included waistband option. Discoverer Tee now comes in sizes up to 5x.

My fabric for this top is left overs from a few other sews, but it is all from Stitchin’ Pretties. Both fabrics are double brushed poly. I love the softness and the comfort level of this type of knit. Stitchin’ Pretties currently has a big sale happening and you probably shouldn’t miss it. Here is the link. Stitchin’ Pretties.

Discoverer Tee Updated Pattern can be purchased here from my Aff. Link.