Rapports: Are they plus size friendly?

Today I am doing a little experiment. I recently had the opportunity to sew up my first rapport, which happened to be from George and Ginger. I wanted to know if they were usable for a garment for a plus size body and I am now here to share it with you.

Additionally my video will show you exactly how to install the twist neck detail and facing! Trust me, it is very easy.

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I put together a video to give you the deets and show you what I came up with.

Affiliate Links

George and Ginger Rapport Fabric

Vista Top and Dress

George and Ginger – Batwing Tunic

Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na Batwing! For those keeping track that is the second time I have began a post here by saying that. I hope that is now stuck in your head because it has been stuck in mine for a few days now.

Bat Wings!!

I think it’s time to kick off Fall sewing season! I love fall and I love layers. I have written about that so many times here on the blog. Plus, this fall I am planning a geocaching road trip so that warrants a new wardrobe right? Even though it is still August and nearly 100* F outside, I am already wearing long sleeves to work so I don’t freeze to death!

This is the George and Ginger Batwing tunic. While this tunic is pretty awesome on its own, it also has a cardigan included in the pattern. It is like a 2 for 1 deal! This time, I only sewed the straight hem tunic version, but that cardigan is coming up soon so stay tuned! You could also make the included hi lo hem option! I really love pattern options!!

I have to admit, I have only sewn a few Batwing tops, but I feel like this one is my favorite. I really love that it has an overly slouchy fit and I already want another one. As I was figuring out which pattern I planned to use for this fabric, I knew I wanted something I could wear with jeans or dress pants, a skirt or even over a dress to mix up the look a little bit! I have been mentally thinking of garments which will be more versatile in my wardrobe. I have a lot of single purpose garments that don’t mix and match well with what I already have and I need to fix that. Which patterns are your favorites? LMK.

I used this midweight Black French Terry from Stitchin’ Pretties. It is fantastic, Friends! I love the weight and feel of it. I kinda need it in all the colors. I had a two yard cut of this and even though the Batwing Tunic directions said I would need 2.5 yards, it worked with my 2 yard cut! Success!!! In case you have been out of the loop for a long long time, SP still has their buy 2 continuous yards and get a surprise yard of fabric free! BONUS!

I made a few minor tweaks to my pattern. I am at the tippy top of George and Ginger’s “Old School” size chart so I added a little additional width across the belly and hip area. I didn’t want it to be fitted here since that was not the intended fit. For my next one, I will also add about .5 inch additional width around the cuff so it is slightly less snug on my forearms. The best part of sewing my own clothing is that I can made these adjustments and then the fit is spot on!

When I first became a tester at George and Ginger, I know I was going to have to expand my closet colors and prints because I am a floral girl at all times, so here we go…black. LOL I think the Batwing pairs perfectly with my Snakeskin pants! I made the pants too and they were actually the first episode of Refashion your Closet on my Youtube channel. You can watch as I make them here. (Please go show me some love, Friends!) That was a really fun make and I love the concept of the series. My plans for that series has been derailed by medical issues, but stay tuned! It is back in September!

With Spooky Season approaching now (It is Septemeber 1st, after all) is the time to get your fall sewing underway. I do suggest the George and Ginger Batwing pattern for you! Are you interested in a video on assembling this top or cardigan? I think that could be fun plus some plus size styling tips all in one video. Let me know as always. You can pick up the pattern here using my affiliate link. I can’t wait to see what you make!

Batwing Tunic and Cardigan

George and Ginger – Lively Dress

Summer is winding down, but I still need all the dresses. Dresses will transition to fall if you add layers, correct? Yes! Tights, jacket, cardigan, long sleeve crop, boots… so many options my friends. It is currently too hot for layers, so you are going to have to trust me. I decided to sew up my first ever Lively dress and I am happy I did for several reasons.

1. I adore the gathering at the shoulder and yoke detailing.
2. I love a flirty twirly skirt.
3. Stripes and Floral colorblocking potentional.
4. The pattern has both a tunic and a dress option.
5. Today it is on sale!

Yesss, I love full skirts so much.

Let’s talk about the pattern.

This is the Lively from George and Ginger. It is a great pattern and on their old school size chart. The pattern is sized through 5x which is a 55.5 inch bust and a 59 inch hip. I did a 1 inch full bust adjustment so I could have a little extra room in the bust and belly. Yes, a bust adjustment will add room in the belly which I need in GG patterns. As it turned out, I didn’t need the additional room in the bust, but I am so pleased with my first Lively.

I chose to leave out the lining because I am way too hot for lined shirts. LOL I just added a simple neckband by smoothing the curves at the neckline a bit and moved on with my less overheated life. I also left off the sleeve ruffle because I want to wear a denim jacket over this dress come fall. Plus my fabric isn’t navy on the inside and I hate seeing white fabric inside a sleeve when it billows around.

Back yoke in contract fabric really makes the gathering stand out!

I believe my floral fabric came from The Fab Fabric Clique and the stripes were from an online auction. I adore them both separately, but they worked so well together because the navy blue is consistent and the scale is different. Yes, folks you should totally wear your stipes and your florals together!!! This pattern has a lot of gathering at the back and a=near the front shoulders. I use my serger to gather and I have a video on my YT channel to teach you how. Stop by and check it out. Gathering Video

Like I mentioned above today is the LAST DAY for the Lively being on sale. I know, I know, the month got away from me.

Today only it is $7.50 and you can click here to get it. I thank you for clicking my afflink. This costs you nothing, but gives me a small commission from the designer.

38 Trips Around the Sun

Instead of being like a thousand other bloggers, I decided to write my New Years Blog Post for my Birthday! Yep, today I am 38. I am not usually one who gets crazy about turning a year older, except when I turned 25…”It was dark times Harry, Dark Times…” That was a rough one! When I think about the things I have done in the last year, I am pretty happy. I switched positions at my job, I bought my first brand new car, I realized it is ok to do fun things alone, upgraded to a new DSLR camera, took my first photography class and I even had time to sew some awesome clothes. I rediscovered my love for geocaching and hiking as well. Overall it was a good year, but I want to make this year even better.

Puppy Playtime!

I have spent several weeks/months really thinking of the direction I want to take my blog. I am just like every other blogger, I want to grow my audience and reach more people. I have noticed a lot of new faces following my social media accounts and for that, I am so grateful. It feels good to be noticed. I don’t know if the average person realizes how much work goes into being a sewing blogger. Pick a pattern, sew it up at least once (typically more), photos, photo edits, write blog posts, then share. 🙂 I do enjoy it though. I like knowing there is a record of my progress. I often look back at blog posts to remind myself of the changes I made to a garment and if I liked the fit or not. I love that other people will randomly find a blog post and leave me a message or pick up a pattern I haven’t mentioned in months. It makes me feel good knowing someone saw the joy in my blog. It also makes makes me feel good when I see kind comments from someone I don’t know.

Being a sewing blogger isn’t all sunshine and flowers though. Every single post is a risk. That seems a little odd, but it is true. Every post we make, every share we do, puts us up for being judged. Readers, I don’t know about you, but it doesn’t feel good to me. The comments people make shock me sometimes. For the dozens of good comments, there are always some bad ones. “Your shirt is too tight.” “You would look better with heels.” “You would look slimmer if…” “That color was a bold choice.” “Prints make you look bigger.” “Plus size can’t wear stripes.” and the list goes on…it is a long list. Note to crabby readers…your comments about me will never be harsher than my own thoughts. Why do people do this? Golden Rule, Folks. If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all. As a sewing blogger, I have gained some confidence though. Sometime,s I even dare to say my outfit looks cute or nice. Baby Steps.

So let’s talk about goals for the next 365 days.

*Do more quality sewing. I do a lot of quick sews, well in the past I did a lot. I have greatly reduced the number of tests I am doing. I want to sew things on my schedule for what I want to sew.

*Learn new things. Master my fit issues ehm… pants, bras, etc. Somethings scare me to sew…Bras…tried it once and quit! Pants are a work in progress. For me, I need to realize my body isn’t a normal feminine shape. Most patterns account for hips and booty and I lack in both. But I am making huge strides in preparing to sew my own jeans!!

*Write at least 5 blog posts for designers or for blog tours. Always on the look out for blog tours!! Tag me if you start one. I want in!

*Test less, Upcycle more. I have seen several mentions lately that plus size upcycling isn’t as popular as smaller sizes. I do agree with this in a way, but I have been upcycling for YEARS! When I began sewing, I started by thrifting for anything with great fabrics! I made some cool stuff, now I have more sewing skills I should be putting to use! As a bonus, we are saving a little space in the landfills!

*Continue to be a positive influence online. I shouldn’t need to explain this one.

*Learn to say No!

I love dressing in layers! S0 happy Fall is here again!

If I haven’t lost ya yet, thanks for sticking around! This is going to be an awesome year and I can’t wait to update this post on my next Birthday.  Don’t forget to give my blog a follow and leave me a comment! 🙂

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Edgy Top – Updated

So George and Ginger is a new name around here! I typically take a very hard stand against not supporting designers who aren’t designing in my size range. I now know that they are working pretty steadily at updating patterns in the larger size range, now going up to 5x. I tip toed over to the group because my cousin had requested a one shoulder top that resembled the way so many fabric companies drape their display mannequins. So I gave in, spent the money on a pattern that wasn’t in my size and sewed up the pattern she wanted.

She loved her new top and it was perfect for the Memorial Day festivities she planned to attend in DC. I bet this fabric looks familiar. This is Liberty Belle and it is a double brushed poly from Sly Fox Fabrics! I am linking you directly to Sly Fox Fabrics because this fabric is already sold out! Trust me, it is that fabulous! I used it recently to make my Easy Tee 5.0 when the fabric released! I also sewed up a Maxi Length Virginia for another customer out of the fabric! 

So about 2 days later, there was a tester call to update the pattern and extend the size range! I decided to step out of my comfort zone and sign up!

I choose to make the sleeveless version with the ruffle, which is the same style that I made above! The pattern sewed up quickly and easily both times. I used double brushed poly scraps to create this top and even though it was a test, it turned out 100% wearable! All the pattern pieces received an upgrade and update when the size range expanded. To me, most notable, is there is now a front and a back piece instead of it being the same. The Edgy Top included 4 different lengths of the single sleeve and you have the option to sew it with or without the ruffle! Let’s talk about the ruffle now!

On both tops, I chose to do a rolled hem! I knew I was most certainly not turning it under and hemming the edge, but I did want it finished. I decided the rolled hem was just the trick. I even made a quick Youtube video on how to do it. This was my first ever Youtube video, but I think it is helpful. Come check my channel out, follow me and give me some love! Here is the video.

 I sewed a 5x for this pattern, but blended from the bust curve to the hip to remove some of the hourglass like shape of the top. I knew I wouldn’t love it being super clingy to my rounded middle. I am now happy with the overall look. For both tops, I inserted a strip of elastic to help hold the top up. I love Brushed Poly, but strength isn’t its strongest suit! Just like when you use it to make bottoms, you have to support the waistband with something else.

Let’s talk about the fabric here. Both prints are double brushed poly and like said before I only used scraps! These dots are from Stitchin’ Pretties and no longer listed. The floral paisley fabric was a 1 cut piece from Sew Blessed also no longer available. Both of these companies have loads of other great brushed poly fabrics you could use. These two fabrics work together because the colors are a spot on match and the scale is different! #Breakallthedamnrules

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