La Bella Donna meets the Foxes

Welcome back Sly Fox Fabrics! In case you didn’t know, Sly Fox Fabrics has moved from Ohio to Georgia! Katy and Mary Beth (the original foxes) were ready to retire (Mary Beth) and Rebecca Page (Pattern Designer) wasn’t ready to let them go. I know, I know. Rebecca Page is in the UK, so why does she need US based fabrics?!?! Well Sly Fox Fabrics is awesome and there are loads of US based sewists! Stephanie AKA The Sarcastic Sewist AKA The New Fox is in Georgia and is taking over the duties! I know it sounds like a whole lotta crazy, but this fabric is worth it. So please keep reading…

I was lucky enough to land one of the first promo spots after reopening! The minute I saw this fabric offered up, I was all over it. It is adorable and I needed it. I loved these soft colors and small floral design and I was thrilled when I was picked to debut it!

I knew right away I was going to make a La Bella Donna. I have sewn up a few of them lately and I love them! Bonus points because the pattern was still in my sewing room and easily accessible. I knew this fabric would be really pretty with the Dolman style sleeves and the slightly rounded hem. #Nailedit I loved the finished product. I even decided to fix my hair and wear makeup. 🙂 Must be a really great shirt! I have some serious heart eyes looking at Love Notions!

I made the tunic length with the included FBA. 4x graded to 5x with a 1.5 inch full bicep adjustment as usual. I added a little extra swing to my tunic by cutting the neckline and arm and then kicking the bottom of my pattern out about 1.5 inches and continuing with cutting. One other change I made was cutting the back neckline a little lower than usual by using the front neckline for both. This is how I cut. Fold fabric selvage to selvage. Now fold the fabric in half along the length. This was almost the exact length of my pattern! I started with a 2 yard cut. I also used a length of fold over elastic for the neckline. I had this perfectly matching piece of blue left over my my underwear making session last week and it was the perfect length plus 1 inch.  This made me happy as I didn’t know what I was going to use it for.

The La Bella Donna pattern options

Ladies sizes XS-5X

• Shirt length with shirt tail hem
• Shirt length with banded hem
• Tunic length with pocket option
• Full bust option for both views
• 3 sleeve options: short, 3/4 & long cuffed
• Hood & cowl options

So fabric deets! This print is called California Bluebells in Pinks. It is on a pale blueish greenish minty background and has the prettiest pops of colors. This is a double brushed poly, but it only has horizontal stretch. The vertical stretch is limited. I had no idea this was a thing, but no worries. It is still FABULOUS.

Let’s go over the details one more time…

Great Fabric…. Available here.

Great Pattern….Available here.

This is me….taking pics….while my neighbors are watching from their front porch…

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Game Day Jersey – Hacked

 I was playing on Pinterest looking for some inspiration when I stumbled across this pretty little thing. This was a dress for sale, but when I clicked the link it took me to about 912 other dresses. Dumb! Anyhow, I knew whatever the price I wasn’t buying it because I could make it myself!

If you saw my Last Game Day Jersey top from Love Notions, you already know it doesn’t come with the button placket. Let’s get to hacking. I already knew the Game Day Jersey Dress would have the right lines for the the basic style of my inspo, but I needed to add a button placket. No worries gang, it is a faux placket on my dress!! No one in their right mind is willingly sewing all those button holes for no reason other than to look at. So a faux placket for me. Let’s talk about how you can get this same look. :  First- Measure the exact middle of your dress. When I was cutting my dress I was conscious of lining up my Center Front Bodice on a middle line in the pattern repeat. You can do the same if your plaid is straight. If your pattern is on the diagonal, fold your bodice in half and mark with pins.

Next– Decide how long you want your placket. I went with 13 inches as I didn’t want my placket to finish at the fullest part of my belly. 🙂 To determine the width of your placket, select buttons and measure them. Mine were about .5 inches, now double that number (1 inch in my case) and this will be the width of my placket when finished. We know

Auditioning options

that we want clean edges for the finish, so let’s double the number again (1 x 1 = 2) and add 1/2 inch for seam allowance since I am serging my edges. (2 + .5 = 2.5 inches). Now you can cut your placket fabric. Mine is 13 inches by 2.5 inches. Optional: You can add a piece of interfacing to your placket to make sewing your button easier.  I ironed on a piece 1 inch by 13 inches. Sew this together like a tube. One short end and along the long side. Then turn it. If you need help turning a tube, I have a video here.  There are a number of ways to do it. Pick your fave! 

Almost done! – Lay your placket in place and pin it so it won’t shift. Leave about .5 inches to hang out over the top edge so you won’t have to worry about finishing it. (It will be sewn in place when your add the Front Yoke.) I stitched along the long sides and the bottom. I added the X at the bottom for some extra detail. You can use your walking foot here to make things a little easier or use a contrasting thread for some extra color.

Finally- Now lay out your buttons how you wish. I placed mine 1.5 inches apart. I used my sewing machine to sew them in place with a semi matching thread. This would also be fun using shaped buttons especially on a kid’s dress. Once you have your buttons sewn in place, finish your dress according to the directions. This placket will be the slowest part of the dress I promise! So what do you all think about my pinspired look??

This plaid print is a double brushed poly from Stitchin’ Pretties of course! It is called Adeline and it is perfect for fall! The beautiful coral is a ponte scrap also from SP! Did you know if you order 2 continuous yards of fabric, You will get a bonus yard of fabric to go with your order?? Yes indeed.

Now that you know how to make your own faux placket, let me show you my entire dress!

See the little raindrops falling on my head? It hasn’t rained in days, step out the door…RAIN!

I received another fantastic plaid print from Stitchin’ Pretties this month! Seriously, Fall is filled with all things plaid and you better get some in your closet ASAP! Here are two of my recent makes.

Laundry Day Tee by Love Notions

Hazel by Bella Sunshine Designs

Ok Back to the Game Day Dress. This time I made the Dress length which is actually pretty fabulous! I was in the market for some longer comfy dresses to lounge around the house in and this fits the bill perfectly. I am so stoked to wear my fancy new frock!

More raindrops ruining my pics! Maybe I should pretend to play in the sprinklers!

Something else you may not know, I just did a little write up about Stitchin’ Pretties Fabric for Love Notions. Did you see it? Here is a link. My write up is number 12. Go Show SP some LOVE!

Ready for some links?

Game Day Jersey Top/Dress

Laundry Day Tee

Hazel

Stitchin’ Pretties Plaid section

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As always this blog contains affiliate links, which is a small commission I earn when you make a purchase from my blog links. Thank you for helping to support my sewing.

 

Maggie Dress means Comfy Dress

When a real need for comfy dresses arose, I knew I needed to get sewing. I love being able to sew exactly what I want or need.  So today’s challenge is comfy clothing to lounge around basically being a bum in.  Maggie from Bella Sunshine Design is a perfect pattern for this. I have sewn about 8 Maggie’s in the last few years for either myself and my mom. Today I made no hacks to this pattern aside from my usual grading between sizes and a bicep adjustment. I sewed the 24 bust with the included full bust adjustment to the 28. I didn’t adjust this pattern for height as I wanted some extra length. 

Options for the Maggie Pattern

• 2 Sleeve Options: Short, 3/4 & Long
• 3 Garment Lengths: Top, Tunic, & Dress
• 3 Neckline Lengths for Different Looks
• Sewing Level: Confident Beginner
• Sizes: Ladies 0-30 with Optional Full Bust Adjustment

Can we talk about this fabric? I love these fun little ice cream cones with sprinkles on the background! This is a double brushed poly base which I picked up at Zinck’s in Berlin, Ohio. I got it last year at the end of summer so I was saving it. Saving it until now!! I want to wear it all the dang time! Momma Mia ordered a bundle of cotton lycra a few weeks weeks ago and it included these pink and white stripes. They were perfectly fun to add to my ice cream cones.

This pattern is available at Bella Sunshine Designs. You can pick it up using my afflink below.

• Ladies pattern. Sizes 0-30. Click here 
• Bundle includes ladies and women’s pattern. Click here
• Girls pattern. Sizes 6m – 12. Click here.

I found this blog post hanging out in my drafts folder. I began it back in September and my blog was being moved to a new format and I was having a difficult time learning it. Now it has gotten better so I wanted to share! 🙂

The Fitting Experiment – Brooklyn Top and Bahama Bottoms

The Fitting Experiment

Episode 3

Brooklyn Top and Bahama Bottoms

Hi Readers! We are back with two patterns today! Sonia Estep Designs was generous enough to offer The Fitting Experiment two patterns so we could make outfits this round! This is the first time I have sewn a pattern from Sonia so I was looking forward to trying them out. I am embarrassed to admit, I didn’t realize that SED was so size inclusive.  I was impressed with the generous size range and I am happy to report all of my measurements were on the chart! Thank You. I was also pleasantly shocked that my upper and full bust were actually in the same size. This means I didn’t need to do a full bust adjustment before I began. 🙂

Let me also take a minute to point out that both of these patterns included multi formats for printing included overlap or edge to edge trimless pages and project files! The pattern tutorials included step by step photos that were easy to read and understand.

Let’s talk about the Brooklyn Top first.

My Adjustments: I added 2.5 inches for length. This shirt comes in top length, which means it ends at the high hip area. This is my “problem” area. I like it covered. I wear everything at tunic length because I  feel better about things at this length. I also adjusted the bicep of the Dolman sleeve by 1.5 inches. This is normal for me. Keep in mind that if you adjust the sleeve portion of the bodice, you will also need to adjust the “Long Sleeve” pattern piece so that they fit. I ended up shortening the sleeve 3/4 of an inch, but really could have done about 1 1/4 inches. I made note of this one my pattern piece for the future. I also added an extra button. I usually have issues with shirts gaping open when the front has buttons, so this was me being proactive. No gaping issues! 

When I cut and sewed this top, I made it with the knot. I wanted it to work, I wanted it to be cute, but the fact is, my body doesn’t need a knot standing out on my belly. I ended up cutting the knot tails off and hemming it straight across. Much better. Overall I really like the style of this top. It is cute and fun. I would totally make another one. I think I need a floral version! I sewed a 30/30/28.

Brooklyn Top- Details

Sizes included are Women’s 00-30 (sizing & measurement chart are included in the listing).

Options included:

• Tank
• Short Sleeve
• Long Sleeve
• Straight No Tie Hem
• Tie Front
• Curved Back Hem
• Straight Back Hem

Now let’s talk about the Bahama Bottoms

This pattern also is drafted for both knit or a lightweight woven fabric. I selected a knit, possibly a cotton jersey, but I really am not sure. I don’t even know where this fabric came from. 🙂

My Adjustment: I made the shorts version because I like to wear shorts around the house. This pattern includes 3 lengths of shorts as well as pants. I picked the longest shorts length (8 inches) then shortened it by one inch. I also did a full belly adjustment before cutting the pattern. From experience I know if I go by my hip measurement, my bottoms will be way to big in the hips and booty. This happens because my weight is carried mostly in my belly area so I need to make adjustment to a correct this. I did a 1.5 inch adjustment and sized down 2 sizes. This type of shorts isn’t super flattering on my body, but these are definitely lounge around the house worthy. In the future, I would need to either lengthen to rise a bit or not do the double turn down like the pattern instructs. Also my fabric is a little thick which caused the elastic waist band to get a little bulky. Lesson learned! I sewed a 26 waist with a full belly adjustment graded to a 22 hip. 

As a bonus, the website includes this download for getting a great fit on pants. You will want to check it out.

Sizes included are Women’s 00-30 (sizing & measurement chart are included in the listing).

Options include drawstring

Four inseam lengths

Front patch pockets and back patch pockets with flap.

 

 

Formats included are Edge to Edge 8.5 x 11, Edge to Edge A4, Overlap 8.5 x 11, Overlap A4, A0, and Projector File.

All formats come with the layers feature, allowing you to print only the size(s) you need. Need help printing or assembling your pattern? Click HERE to see how to do both!

Overall these were both easy sews that were drafted nicely. If you would like to give either of of this patterns a go, here are your links!

The Brooklyn Top

The Bahama Bottoms

Spreading Our Social Media Wings

** We heard your requests and have started a Facebook group for everyone to join and follow along! We are adding albums for a current and previous makes and getting it going, but we would love for you to join us. FRIENDS OF THE FITTING EXPERIMENT**

Thank you to Sonia Estep Designs for sponsoring The Fitting Experiment creators with patterns. Please check out others’ makes:

• SequoiaLynn Sews
• Liviality
• Jot Designs
• Sew below the Willow Tree
• JongDesign
• Bigflynotions