Love Notions – Constellation Hoodie

Hi Friends! I have a few things to let ya know about. First off the Constellation Hoodie pattern is the Feature Friday pattern at Love Notions this week and it is Fall Perfection! Since it is on feature it is only $5 and worth every penny!

I made my first one almost 2 years ago and blogged about it here. I used the hood options and the thumb hole cuffs on that version so this time I knew I wanted to show off different options!

Thumb hole cuffs deserve a thumbs up!

This time I used a heavier weight fabric and I love the slight structure of it. My collar stands up nicely which was really important to me! I used the regular cuff with an additional .5 inches of width added since I left the original length was a bit snug and I was unable to push my sleeves up.

Let’s talk about my fabric. Like I said, I used a heavier weight fabric which I picked up at Zinck’s of Berlin. I loved the pale purple background with the purple and red plaid layout. If you notice, the inside of my collar and the background behind my pockets, that fabric is actually my main fabric just the backside of it. 🙂 I couldn’t really find a fabric that contrasted yet matched enough to work so this ended up being the perfect solution. My red accent fabric is a scuba weight fabric and my red zipper were both also from Zinck’s.

Here is a list of the important things that are included with the Constellation Hoodie.

This pdf pattern is rated for confident beginners

• Three hem options: curved hem, bound curved hem, banded hem
• Collar & hood options
• Clean finish techniques
• Two video clips- zipper installation & binding
• Cuffs with thumbhole option
• The half zip makes nursing a breeze
• A FBA (full bust adjustment) piece is included
• Trimless pattern format
• Layers
• Print at home
• In addition to the print-at-home file is a large format file for copy shop printing is included. This file will print on two A0 (33″ x 46″) size sheets. Be sure to instruct your printer to print actual size in black and white on their cheapest paper. We recommend PDFPlotting for printing the large format files.

Yeah! Another fall make in the books! I am thrilled and so ready to wear this one out and about. What do you think? A Fall staple? Do you plan to make one? Let me know!

Also something else that is super exciting. Today I am on the Love Notion’s blog writing their Focus on Fit segment. I will walk you through 7 simple steps to do a full bicep adjustment. Please stop by and show me some love and learn this amazingly helpful adjustment!

Love Notions – Sonata Dress

Hi gang! Another pattern has been updated over at Love Notions and it happened to be on $5 Friday Feature today only!! That is a savings of 7 bucks. This time it is the Sonata Dress and it is now upgraded to the 5x size chart with 4 cup sizes included. I was able to pretest this one to get a great time and share it with my readers.

This pattern is drafted for woven fabrics or stable knits and it is super comfy. This pattern has pockets, a perfect neck facing to add a pop of color as well and no buttons or zips! Here is the website description list.

• Meant for woven fabrics
• Notched v-neckline
• Faced or lined bodice options
• 4 cup sizes: A, B, C, D
• Bust and waist darts for feminine shaping
• Elastic casing at the back
• A-line skirt
• Optional in-seam pockets

I am the guest blogger at Love Notions today and I am discussing different fabric options and how they work with this pattern. Here is the link if you would like to check it out.

I shortened this magenta version by 7 inches and lengthened the sleeves by 3 inches. It is now a perfect compliment to my Sabrina Slims.

Don’t forget this pattern will only be $5 TODAY!!! That is a savings of 7 bucks!!

Here is my afflink and more pics!

Guest Blogging and some pocket hacking

Hi Friends! I am late to let you in on a little info. I was the guest blogger at Ellie and Mac last week. If you are a regular reader of my blog then you know how much I love pockets! I want pockets in every possible pattern! When the Not so Basic pants came out I adored them and everyone was super cute in them, but no side seam… no pocket.

Fear Not, Friends! I have a hack for you. Just give this photo a click and you will be transported to my post!

Guest Blogging over at Ellie and Mac

Hi Readers!

Today I am guest blogging on the Ellie and Mac blog! I am hacking the Be Graceful Maxi with the Jersey skirt to make a super trendy handkerchief hem tunic! Trust me! You want to come over and learn how to do it!

I used some STUNNING ITY fabric from Stitchin’ Pretties. The more I look at it, the more I think about beautiful sunsets! Trust me when I say, you need this one!

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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.

Guest Blogging – Love Notions Forte Top and Fabric Comparisons

Hi Friends!! Here is a warning, You are going to be overloaded with blog posts from me this weekend! I have been sewing up some AMAZINGLY AWESOME things and I need to share! Plus there are some sales and I don’t want you to miss out! First up, I am guest blogging for Love Notions today for the Featured Friday pattern!

The Forte Top/Dress pattern is on sale for only $5 FOR TODAY ONLY! I sewed up the Forte with 4 different fabric based and explained a bit about them. You are NOT going to want to miss out. Also this is my first blog post for Love Notions so come by and show me some love!! Here is the link, just click my photo below.

Fabric Sponsored by Stitchin’ Pretties and Surge Fabric Shop.

Guest Blogging – Wrapped in Love Skirt/Dress Hack

Hi Friends! My latest hack is live at Ellie and Mac today! This was the first project I have been super duper pumped about in week! I am so serious! I was sewing late into the night to finish this one up because I couldn’t wait to see how it would come together! I used the new Wrapped in Love Dress and the Be Breezy to make a mini capsule and it was worth every minute of missed sleep! I picked up this great brushed poly for Sew Blessed! Pop over on Ellie and Mac’s blog and show me some love! Learn how to make an exposed elastic waistband and create your own mini capsule.  Here is the link.

Did I mention these patterns are BOTH on SALE!!! Please use my Afflinks above to save!!

Guest Blogging – How to make sashes and belts to match any outfit.

Hi Gang! Today

I am guest blogging over at Ellie and Mac. I wrote a easy tutorial for DIY sashes as belts. These can become the quickest and best matching accessories you can ad to your wardrobe.

Here is the link to my latest guest blog.

Hazel Top, Tunic, and Dress

Bella Sunshine Designs is back and this pattern is exceptional. I love it so much! I made two during testing and they are both perfect! I love when that happens. I made my dress version first because I wanted to wear it to a quilt show the next day. I didn’t quite make that dead line, but I finished that afternoon. I then immediately began a second one.

As always Bella Sunshine Designs is size inclusive. This means her sizes go up to a Women’s size 30 which is an upper bust and hip of 59.75 inches. This pattern comes in top, tunic, and knee length dress options to fit all of your needs. There are also multiple sleeve lengths available.

Typically, with most patterns I require a bicep adjustment, but not this pattern. This is a very roomy Dolman, even after the drawstrings are added, I still have a great flutter effect. Bonus for me because now it is even quicker to make! Dolmans always sew up sew quickly since the sleeves are cut out with the bodice. Perfect for the last minutes sewist!

First up: The Dress.

I used this stunning floral print from Sly Fox Fabrics to make my Hazel dress. They have a 30% off sale happening right now! This fabric is a very lightweight Rayon Spandex. With my height adjustment, I was able to squeeze this out of a two yard cut of fabric. I did the lower cut neckline which is pretty, but I little wider than I love. Perhaps, if I used something a little sturdier for the band it would have pulled in a bit. I used the matching fabric for the drawstrings. These I sewed narrow tubes, and turned them with a tube turner to make them easy. A bodkin made threading the tubes through the channels easy as well.

Next up: The Shirt.

I have been hoarding this stars and stripes, named Becky, print from Stitchin’ Pretties since early summer I believe. This is also a Rayon Spandex, but a heavier one than the floral print. I would compare the weight and feel to a jersey. I couldn’t decide what I wanted to make with it, until now! I know this would be perfect for a Hazel tunic. I planned to pair this tunic with dark washed jeans for a neater look.

You can pick up a copy of Hazel here Bella Sunshine Designs.

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Also today only is the $5 Sunday Sale on the Emmaline Dress from Bella Sunshine! Here is my orginal blog post review for the Emmaline Dress.

Here is the Aff. Link for you to pick it up while on super sale!

Simple Dress vs.

Chevron Dress

Before I wrap this up, let me guide you over to the House of Curves. We now have a blog that is up and running. Myself and Becky, another curvy sewist, did a review for the BSD Hazel pattern and for some extra fun, We are giving away a copy of the pattern. So go check it out here!!!

As always this post contains affiliate links.

South Shore Romper and Be Breezy Mash Up – Take 2

Hey gang! I know so many of you have commented and shared heart eyes over the Ellie and Mac South Shore Romper and Be Breezy mash up I recently did. I loved it too, but every time I sat down the cross front style of the top exposed a bit more than I preferred to the world, if you know what I mean. I loved the style so much, I planned to make it a little more modest AKA work place appropriate.  If you are worried about the same thing just follow along with my directions below to create a more modest look.

First, Print your pattern pieces according to your size. You will need the front and back bodice pieces, sleeves, and neckband of the South Shore Romper and the Be Breezy skirt cut at the length of your preference.

Next, we need to adjust your bodice at the front diagonal slope.  I added 1.5 inches to my bodice about midway through the pattern slope all the way to the side seam. I was careful not to change the width of the shoulder as that would create some issues with the front and back bodice shoulders matching up and sleeve fitting. Just redraw a line allowing for more coverage. Blend to give it a nice slope. The next modification I made to the bodice was the band. I cut the band at 6 inches wide instead of the narrow width in the pattern. I didn’t change the length at all. I used my 24 inch quilting ruler to make this easier.

I made no other adjustments to the bodice top, so cut your remaining pieces. You need 1 back, 2 newly adjusted mirrored fronts, 2 sleeves and the newly widened band. You will also need a skirt of your choosing.

Attach the shoulder seams per the original directions. I did NOT gather the side seams between the circles on the pattern. I left them straight on my dress. I think it would have been fine to gather them to create more interesting detail at the sides. Next, I attached the neckband. It should be folded in half, wrong sides together and just under 3 inches wide. I clipped at the middle, and both ends. I then added several clips between the ends and middle. This will help things line up neatly and prevent any slipping from happening while sewing down. Sew the band on. I didn’t top stitch because it fits snug enough to the body to not require it and I knew as the fabric stretched across by bust, the top stitching would likely pop. Next, I sewed in my sleeves. I like to sew sleeves in flat. I find it so much easier. Now it is time to sew your bodice. I clipped everything together. I began with the side seams and was careful to line up all three layers of fabric neatly. I sewed along the sleeve and down the side seam to the bottom of the bodice. Do this for both sides. You will assemble you skirt as directed in the pattern and attach it to the bodice. If you are using a longer length or heavier fabric, consider using clear elastic for additional support.  Now you can do your hemming and you are ready to wear your pretty new dress!

I love the new neckline of my dress. I can wear it without revealing too much and still feel pretty nice. If you decide to make a dress following my hack, I would love to see it. You can always find me on Facebook or tag me on Instagram!

This fabric is called Paradise and I picked it up from Amelia Lane Designs.

You can shop my Affiliate links here

South Shore Romper

Be Breezy

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This blog contains affiliate links.

Guest Blogging and an amazing hack!

I occasionally write blog posts for a designer or a fabric companies. Today is one of those days. I wrote a blog post for Ellie and Mac this week. It was suppose to go live on Monday, but it came out early!
I hacked the South Shore Romper with my favorite dress pattern, Be Breezy Top from Ellie and Mac.

I did a Rolled Hem on the bottom of my new dress and it only adds to the fluttery style of my dress. Have you checked out my video on doing a rolled hem with a sewing machine? You can view it here.

I used this beautiful ITY (Interlock Twist Yarn) fabric that is newly released from Amelia Lane Designs. It is also on new release sale through Monday! This print is perfect for wearing to all summer events! The Red, White, and Blue floral is called Liberty and will look amazing for July Fourth picnics in the park! I was a little concerned when my fabric first arrived. I thought it would be too see thru to wear alone, but it is fine! It isn’t sheer when worn! If you have never worked with ITY, it is slinky and slick, but lightweight and cool. It has amazing drape as well! I find it kind of fiddly to work with and I use a load of clips to keep things together, but it was worth it because I love my new dress.

Check out this picture featuring Momma Mia’s latest quilt top. She finished it just in time for my photos! She did a great job and can’t wait to get it quilted.

 

If you would like to read my blog post on actually hacking just click the graphic below. 🙂 Enjoy!