My First Custom Bundle! #TFC

This is a really exciting deal, my friends. The Fab Clique had the awesome idea to let their promo teams create fabric bundles to be listed on the site! We all searched the site for our favorite fabric choices and then had the opportunity to sew something to share with you! I knew I wanted a summer two piece set that I would be able to wear as the days get hotter.

Pink dress for the win!

I scrolled my favorite places for some style inspo and settled on a design which was a dress and a long flowy duster length cardigan over a simple T-shirt Dress. I needed one lovely print fabric that would be light weight and flowy for a cardigan. Then I needed a matching fabric to make my dress. I was quickly drawn to the lovely floral print called Gianna. I really enjoy large, boldly colored flowers and this one called to me. It was a bonus that the base is ITY (interlock twist yarn) since that tends to be airy and cool to wear.

Windy day showing off the lovely drape…sorta. 🙂

My pink dress fabric is a slub knit modal jersey which I had never sewn before. I was a little nervous when I selected it because I was concerned that it would be overly thin, but trust me, it is perfect! It is lightweight and cool and seems to breath easy. While taking my final photos there was a storm rolling in as you can tell by the wind blowing my cardigan around, but I think this will be 100% wearable in the heat of summer. I love that the pink has various shades of pink, peach, and white running through it. So it appears solid, but isn’t. Now I am one outfit closer to being ready. PS: I was super stoked to wear my cool owl necklace with this set!

Let’s talk patterns.

I started with the Made for Mermaids pattern called Lola. I asked several sewing friends for recommendations to help me with my designed look. I needed a long length cardigan with Dolman sleeves to achieve the look. The Lola was closest to what I wanted so I went with it. I was a bit hesitant to buy the pattern because it isn’t in their new chart so it is not as size inclusive as their current patterns, but with the loose oversized fit, it worked out well. Thankfully! This pattern also has the option for a gathering drawstring to bring in the waist and I am still debating if I want it or not. I am kinda leaning towards adding it.

What do you think??

I also changed the front lower half of the cardigan. The pattern is drafted to be straight down, but I gently curved the bottom corners. This was a simple change and took bout 2 seconds with my French Curve. Here is a small picture to show you how I cut it. I also shortened the pattern by about 5 inches.

My Dress is my all time favorite T Shirt Dress pattern. The Easy Tee from 5 out of 4 is my most used pattern to date! I love it, Momma Mia loves it. It is just perfect and loaded with options. For my dress, I used the scoop neck and short sleeves then I stole the curved hem from the tunic and adjusted it to fit the width of the dress length! I am really obsessed with curved hems lately. I keep telling myself they make my legs look longer. 🙂 At 5’1, I will work with illusions anytime I can! I just sewed an Easy Tee for Momma Mia not too long ago, here is that blog post.

In the words of my friend, Jess W. #ExtraSlitty.

Styling Options

I am loving the high slit on the cardigan! It compliments the curved dress hem line very well. I am already thinking of more creative ways to style these pieces. I was able to simply tie the two front pieces and it looks cute that way as well. I love this look also. I think this cardigan will also look great over a stripped tank with jeans. My pink dress looks really cute with a denim jacket! I think it is important to mix it up with versatile garments. That is one of the reasons I am so thrilled with the bundle I put together! It is cute and mixes well with several other things. 🙂

The Fabric Bundle

Are you into this bundle? You can pick it up for yourself using my link here. It is called Sequoia. 🙂 It is 4 yards of high quality beautiful fabric for only $22! Here is my direct link to the fabric. Thank you so much if you choose to shop with my link!

Support my Youtube channel with some Love 🙂

Here is my unboxing and reveal video. 🙂 If you visit my Youtube channel, I would appreciate some Love.

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.

Ellie and Mac – Tres Belle and Wrapped in Love Dress Hack

Hi Friends! Long time no chat, no blog, no sewing. Sorry life has been a little busy this summer, but I have several fun things coming up including a new Youtube video. I hope you have been enjoying summer (or winter) and have been doing a lot of fun sewing or enjoying life. I haven’t sewn much recently to be honest. I am working on a quilt block swap and I made a small zipper pouch for a swap, which reminds me I should share that. I took lots of pics while putting it together. Anyhow back to our regularly scheduled sharing.

My newest dress is amazing and I am in love with it already. I bet it won’t even shock you that it is a pattern hack from Ellie and Mac. I used the two patterns to create this look. I have used each of the patterns several times, but apparently not together. I am so glad that I was able to remedy that situation because I am thrilled with the outcome. I used the Tres Belle bodice which I have used multiple times. Most recently, I used it on a guest blog post for Ellie and Mac. This is one of the few cross front patterns that I really love which is why I keep coming back to it. This one has enough coverage without having “too much” coverage. It is all about balance and I am trying to understand the rules. 🙂 The only adjustment I made was my typical bicep adjustment. 

For my skirt portion, I used the Wrapped in Love pattern and only cut the skirt. I have used this pattern a few times as well. I love that the maxi length isn’t overly wide and I can wear it without tripping up the stairs. This is criteria for what makes the perfect skirt in my book. 

I normally don’t go for fabric that has a lot of white areas, but there was no way I could resist this print though! If you have read this blog much at all, you know I wer all the florals! This fabric is available from Stitchin’ Pretties and it is called Lydia. Here is the link.  I really love ITY because it feels cool even when it is hot outside. It seems like it is becoming my favorite choice for warm weather. Don’t forget when you shop at Stitchin’ Pretties all the regular priced fabrics are buy two yards get a bonus coordinate for free. So choose wisely and buy all the pretty things!

Here are my affiliate links my friends!

Tres Belle Pattern

Wrapped in Love Dress

Lydia ITY Fabric

Refashion Your Closet – Jan. 2021

Hi Sewing Friends!

I am kicking off a new series on my Youtube channel today. My goal for 2021 is to upcycle more and to use more scraps! This month I am refashioning a pair of Lola Bottoms from 5 out of 4. While these pants were exactly as expected, turns out that they really just weren’t my style. I tripped over the wide legs because I am not cool enough to walk in them! So time to drag them out of the closet and give them a make over!

The Original Pant – Lola

I am slimming these pants wayyyy down and making them into Candy pants! I have made several pair of the 5oo4 Candy Pants at this point. They are really comfy and I want them in all the prints! As an added bonus I can walk in them!

These pant patterns are both included in the 30% off sale at 5oo4. This sale is RARE so take advantage!!! Afflinks below

Lola Pants Link

Candy Pants Link

Here is the Video Link – Refashion My Closet Jan. 21

I invite you to watch on Youtube where you can give me a like and hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss anything in this series!

The Results- Candy Pants

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5oo4 – Jessie Dress and SALE

Yep, I am making Momma Mia stand outside in the snow to take dress pics! Covid- I hate you!

Jessie Dress – Momma Mia’s Favorite Dress pattern. Sigh. How many Jessie’s do we have… Let’s take a look!

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I actually think Momma Mia has a few others 🙂

AND NOW — TWO MORE

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Momma Mia got two new Jessie Dresses for Christmas. Both of these fabrics are double brushed poly from Zinck’s in Berlin that she had previously picked out. Since it is clearly winter, I knew we were going with longer lengths. Long Dress- Long sleeves. For fun I used different back bodice cut lines. The blue dress features a high neckline and the green is the low line with the racerback cutout. On the green dress, I finished all of the edges with picot elastic for some pretty detailing.

If you aren’t sure how to sew picot, I have done it in a few of my Youtube videos.

Sewing picot on a skirt.

Sewing picot on panties.

You may notice this green version is longer than the longest length of the pattern skirt, I did a small hack of coarse! I added a 6 inch ruffle to the bottom length. It was easy to do! Cut 2 strip of fabric the entire width of the fabric by 6 inches (or however long you want your ruffle.) I gathered both pieces separately and then sewed the short sides together. Pull the basting threads to make the ruffle the same length as the bottom of your dress. Next just quarter the ruffle, quarter the skirt and match up the points. Sew and you are all set! I did a rolled hem on the bottom of the ruffle to finish the edge. Folded hems would be ok, but would likely change the lovely drape of the ruffle.

OPTIONS INCLUDE:

• 3 bodices: Regular, FBA and Maternity
• 4 hem lengths: 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 where your imagination is your only limitation!

This pattern plus the rest of the 5oo4 line up is on sale for 30% off. The only exclusion in the new Valerie/Val patterns that came out yesterday. Did you catch my blog post?

If you want to shop the sale, here is my afflink which I think you for clicking.

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!

Youtube Video – Sewing Lucky Undies

My mission for the perfect fitting panties continues and I am super happy with this round! I used the RAD Lucky Undies pattern, made a few personal fit tweaks and am sewing up a storm now!

I made a new Youtube video with a review, general fit information especially if you have more belly than booty and finally a sew a long!

Come check out my latest video and show me some love! Please also share, like and subscribe to my channel so you don’t miss any of the fun stuff I have planned.

Sydney Dress Surprise!

So the Sydney dress isn’t really a surprise, but this is the first time I have made one for myself!! Momma Mia has a dress or two from this pattern. There is also another one floating around my house – it is in pieces though, if I am truly honest with you. Anyhow, this time I was self sewing and I am thrilled that I did. Let’s just check out the end result.

Well, Hello There my friend!

So the first thing I want to say about this dress is that is it literally jam packed with options. I feel like 5oo4 is second to none in loading their patterns with options. I sewed the 4x FBA graded to the 5x with 3/4 sleeves. I did a 1.5 inch bicep adjustment. I used the knee length half circle skirt pattern shorted by 2 inches. I only removed length from the skirt and not the bodice. I find that even though I am shorter than the pattern is drafted for my side waist is the correct length. Apparently, I just have shorter than average legs. I should have shortened the dress a bit more for true knee length, but I am ok with this length. I, of course, added pockets to my skirt. When given a choice, always add the pockets. This pattern is drafted to have a lined bodice, but I get too hot for that so I used some pretty picot elastic to trim out my scoop neckline. Just measure your neckline opening, multiple that by 87% and that is your length to cut the elastic. I ordered said Picot from LaceandTrims on Etsy. I ordered 2 grab bags of pretty elastics. So many great colors and all were exceptional quality and usable lengths. My order even arrived 2 days before the tracking said it would so I was super thrilled. 5/5 stars – highly recommend.

Oh Picot, you look so pretty!

Speaking of options, here is the list from the website.

• Regular and Full Bust Adjustment (FBA) pattern pieces are both included
• Lift Up nursing option included
• Multiple neckline options!
  • The front neckline can be Jewel, Scoop, or V-neck.
  • The back neckline can be High, Low scoop, or V-neck.
• Fully Lined Bodice
• Short, Elbow, Three-quarter, and Long sleeves
• Multiple Skirt Options!
  • Half Circle – Peplum, Knee, Tea, and Maxi Lengths
  • Full Circle – Peplum and Knee Lengths
• Sizes XXS-5XL

I am completely in love with this print. I gushed about it when I did an unboxing video on my business Facebook page. This is a beautiful print on Double Brushed Poly. It reminds me of an apron smock that my granny wore washing dishes. I don’t know why since they aren’t the same, but it makes me think of that. Lindy is from Stitchin’ Pretties and not only is it a beautiful fabric, but the Buy 2 yards, Get One Free sale is still on! PS – Laura, I need this is more colorways!

I bought this denim jacket RTW at Target. I can’t believe it actually fits and even buttons!

In case you didn’t know, this dress along with everything on the 5oo4 website is Buy one, Get one free!!! I picked up a few patterns I needed in my collection. What will you be grabbing? The sale ends in 2 days!! Don’t wait any longer! Afflink below!

All the Links for all the things

The Sydney Pattern

The Lindy Fabric

The Picot Elastic

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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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