Love Notions – Breckenridge Dress

Sometimes I immediately know I am going to L-O-V-E a pattern and I felt L-O-V-E as soon as I saw this one in the design phase. I have never been able to walk into a store and buy a shirt like this. Typically, this style doesn’t fit the way my body curves, so I can finally make my own!

When I was debating on my fabric choices, I knew that I wanted a dress length with long sleeves so I could layer it with quilted gray Oakley vest I had recently made. This fabric was delivered recently from Sly Fox Fabrics and I adored it as soon as I saw it on the website. I love the navy and aqua combo. I wanted to highlight the little pops of aqua by making the sleeves and band in that color. My stash filed me this time and I had to make a trip to Joann’s to grab this fabric, but I was happy they had it and matching buttons in store.

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Website Deets-

The Breckenridge Henley is an easy to wear top, tunic or dress. Meant for knit fabrics, this style will take you through all seasons. The neckline is an unconventional henley style that is easy to sew. No buttonholes required! Three body lengths are included: shirt, tunic and dress. Sew up this versatile style with short sleeves, roll tabbed long sleeve, or cuffed long sleeve.

• XS-5X
• Meant for knit fabrics
• Three lengths: shirt, tunic and dress
• V-neck henley collar
• 3 sleeve styles: short, long with cuff and long with rolled tab
• Full bust option
• Subtle curved hem
• 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 for both standard and full busts. These files will print on 5 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.
• A projector file is also included for those using projector technology

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This dress is so comfortable, just enough fit in the upper half and just enough flare at the hem. I love that is swishes when I walk, but doesn’t blow up in the wind. I finished my dress on Sunday and wore it to work on Monday! It is that good, folks!

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As you can see the leaves are dropping here, the rain has been falling for two days and it is cold already. I snapped my pics between the very cold sprinkles. I added the Oakley for warmth and my favorite gray boots. I feel put together in this outfit. I love “layering” seasons!

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This pattern includes a tunic and a top length and 3 different style of sleeves so it really will fit all of your needs. I have a tunic to share in a day or two with you. Breaking News – The Henley style neckline is a fake. 🙂 Yep, not a single button hole was made so it is super fast. Tami even shot an amazing video to show you have to achieve this look and it is so easy! You can absolutely do it! You need to do it!

If you want to take advantage of the new release sale here are my afflinks!

A quick word about afflinks- I make a small commission on each pattern sale that is from my links. It is a small thank you from the designer!

Breckenridge Top, Tunic, Dress on sale for $9.00

Oakley Vest 3 different vests included in one pattern.

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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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Tutorial – How to Sew a Buttonhole

How to Sew a Buttonhole

If you have checked out my last blog post, you know that will you need to sew a few buttonholes to run your drawstring through on the Diane joggers. I am also currently in the planning phase of making a coat which has many buttonholes. 27 of them actually. I never really thought about the fact that maybe some people don’t know how to sew buttonholes until recently a friend said she had no idea. My machine sews automatic buttonholes with the push of a few buttons. If your machine doesn’t do this, it is ok. Just read your manual to see how you begin the process.

1. I always do a practice hole. I do this for two reasons, to remind myself which way the buttonhole will be stitched and to make sure I am happy with the final product.

 

2. Always use interfacing on the backside of the fabric where the buttonhole will be. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions and the proper setting on your iron.

 

3. Use your pattern to mark where the buttonhole placement is. I just poke a pin through my paper pattern at the start the buttonhole. I then use a marker to put a dot there. I use the marker mostly so I can see it.

 

4. If you are making a buttonhole for an actual button, measure the size of your button. My machine has a buttonhole ruler at the base of the machine for convenience. I held mine in place with a piece of tape so that I could take a picture.

5. My machine has several options for buttonhole style. Select your buttonholes final look and size. I am able to enter these options in my computer settings, but your machine may be different from mine. I have a 12 MM button in this example. I also chose a basic buttonhole since I am only making holes for a drawstring.

 

6. Hold your fabric straight and begin your stitching. Let the machine do the entire buttonhole without moving your fabric. When finished clip your threads.

 

7. To open your buttonholes, I place straight pins at the start and stop of the stitched buttonhole. Sometimes, I will place two at each end for extra security. I carefully use my seam ripper to poke between the two seam lines and then push it towards the pins at each of the ends. The pins will stop you from ripping through the buttonholes. Take the 5 seconds to do this, trust me. From experience, I know.

 

8. Ta-Da! You have now sewn a buttonhole! Some of my favorite garments I have made with buttonholes are listed below!

 

Roxanne Top

Anna Skirt

Diane Joggers

 

In process: The Taylor Trench
Show me what project you have been avoiding because you don’t want to sew a buttonhole.

 

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This blog post contains Affiliate Links. This means that when you make a purchase from one of my blog links, I receive a small commission. This doesn’t change the price for you, but is a little Thank You to me! It also helps me to buy more fabric to show you new and upcoming patterns. So thank you!!