Remember when the Hazel first went live and I made 2 of them? I love them both and wear them frequently. If you don’t remember them, just click the link above. I sewed up my most recent version for vacation last month, and am finally getting it blogged.
So here is my THIRD Hazel! I made it in tunic length again and added a color blocked section for the back shoulder area. I would love to say that I did this because I planned it, but the reality is, I didn’t have quite enough fabric to cut the front and back bodices in my desired length. I actually really love how the solid panel breaks up all the plaid. I used my solid fabric scraps to make my sleeve drawstrings and to make the neckband.
This awesome plaid is called Tara and it is more of a watermelon color than a true red and I absolutely love it!! Tara is a double brushed poly which is a lovely weight and perfect for this pattern! I knew when I was picking patterns, I wanted a Dolman sleeve so that the plaid wouldn’t get too messy looking with added seams of a set in sleeve.
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. Mine is a tunic, not height adjusted. As I have worn this several times now, I think I will take a few inches off the length. It will still be leggings friendly, but not as long. 🙂
Background: I am hanging out with some new bloggers friends and we are calling our adventure, The Fitting Experiment. Our goal is to test out patterns that are drafted with a large size range to determine if the pattern has a great fit across the board. We are looking at comparing the fit across the size chart, construction techniques and directions, included options, and anything else the bloggers want to chat about. After this episode, we are adding more friends and not all of them are actual bloggers. Some use other platforms of social media and some make videos. We are mixing things up and expanding our game!
The Fitting Experiment is back from quarantine and ready to share our latest project. This is the Hourglass Dress from Made by Runi. Yup, You read that right… DRESS! Psst: I know I am wearing a shirt! I made it into a shirt length because my closet is stuffed to the max with dresses. 🙂 Let’s start with the details of the pattern.
The pattern includes sizes 34-58 (European sizes).
Options included are: slim fit or flared skirt
Hourglass silhouette or solid front and back bodices.
Colorblock shoulder detailing
Two neckline options
Three sleeve lengths
I went with the flared fit, lower neckline, solid bodices and colorblocked short sleeves.
Adjustments: I am just outside of the waist measurement for this pattern, but I straightened out the hourglass shape of the pattern (since I don’t have one) and blended from the bust to the hip and now it fits wonderfully. I also did a full bust adjustment and a bicep adjustment for this pattern. These are both adjustments I make on nearly all patterns I wear. This pattern called for binding the neckline, but I made bands. I am honestly terrible at binding, it looks like rubbish always. So I measured the opening, did the match, banded the neck. 🙂 I hemmed the sleeves and bottom.
New to me- I had to add seam allowances to the pattern. Apparently, this is a normal thing with European patterns…I had no idea. While this did take a little bit of extra time, it allowed me to pick the SA I wanted to use. The pattern pages also needed to be trimmed before assembling. So this pattern required a good bit of prep work before I could get down to sewing. Another thing that was a bit odd to me, the directions for assembling are on the website instead of with the pattern. While all these things are typical for the companies I usually sew, it wasn’t a deal breaker for me to sew. I only wish the size range included more sizes so I wouldn’t have to adjust so many things to get a great fit.
Overall, I am happy with the fit after adjustments and will likely make the colorblocked version as well. This is a comfy top and I am wearing it to work today. I like that this top has a few different options to change up the look of it. This one will get a lot of use this summer!
I was recently picked to be a guest sewist for Fab Clique Fabric Shoppe. The deal is I receive a bundle of mystery fabric, I make a quick video of opening the package and then sew up a garment of my choice…sounds easy, Right? When I opened my fabric, I was excited to find Rib Knit…Brushed Poly Rib Knit actually. Super Soft, Super Stretchy, Super Springy! These colors are beautiful and so cheery!
I immediately thought about sewing a tank and cardigan, but knew it would be a stretch to make a cardigan from 2 yards of fabric. I toyed around with the idea of a cozy long sleeve shirt, maybe some color blocking, but in the end a color blocked cardigan won out. I decided to start with the Ellie and Mac Chapman Cardigan as a base. I have sewn it before and it is a nice cardigan. I felt comfortable making another one with a few hacks.
I knew I wanted to make the cardigan a little fancy. I decided I wanted to add pockets and add some color blocking. I used a scrap of my fabric and added some piping details. Yeah! Fancy Pockets! Stitching piping to two layers of rib knit it not for the faint of heart, but it worked and it looks so fun! I love these big pockets!
I also used the white rib knit for all the bands and I added a contrast stripe all the way around the bodice. In theory, it sounds pretty simple. In reality I had finished my garment before I decided to add that band around the middle. I can confidently say this fabric will hold up to tons of seam ripping. No where did it stretch out or turn wonky!
Even though rib knit is new to me, it sewed nicely. I used my serger and my sewing machine and both were fine. This fabric really is perfect for a light weight layer added over a top or tank in spring or summer. I paired my new modern vibe Ellie and Mac Chapman Cardi with the Bella Sunshine Designs Clementine Maxi Dress. I loved that the colors played so well together.
Here are the links you need to recreate my look or create your own style!
Just for fun, I will add my unboxing video here for you all to watch!
As always, I thank you for using my affiliate links. If you purchase this pattern using my link, I will receive a small thank you commission from the designer. This helps me to purchase sewing supplies and keep my blog going. Thank you.
You can follow all of my sewing adventures through the links below!
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I am back with another Love Notions Dress and a mash up to boot! So I sewed up Momma Mia’s first Tessa dress a month or so ago and she loved it! Actually I loved it too, but sadly it hasn’t been on the Love Notions size upgrade list yet so I will keep sewing them for Momma Mia. Last time, my promo fabric from Stitchin’ Pretties came with a note saying it would love to become a beautiful dress. So I made the fabric’s dreams come true and it became a Tessa Sheath Dress! This time I received this pretty red floral double brushed poly fabric without a note, but it was screaming at me to make it a dress.
I have a confession to make, when I order fabric, I usually don’t have a plan in mind. My second confession, I told Laura at Stitchin’ Pretties to “just send me something.” I trust her and her product. She doesn’t let me down! When this fabric arrived on my door step, I knew that it would be a dress. I typically feel that fabric with larger open spaces of background does well as dresses. Compared to a tank top, there wouldn’t be as much room to show off a great print! I love print, busy prints! Momma Mia isn’t quiet as flashy as I am in the print department. I knew I was making her a dress with this fabric! I decided on another Tessa, but with a twist. In case you do not know, you can mash the Tessa Bodice with all the skirts from Sybil. I used the Aline skirt from Sybil. This will give her dress a little bit of flirty flare, but not full on twirl factor! Also I only had 2 yards of fabric to work with. Speaking on the 2 yards, since the back bodice is “Cut as mirror image” you can use less fabric than if you had to “Cut on the Fold.”
*You can use this tip for any top pattern. If you don’t have enough fabric to cut a front and back bodice on the fold, you may be able to use the mirror image cutting technique. Just remember to add seam allowances if you adjust from cut on the fold to mirror image or your neckband won’t fit properly.
Tessa #2 with the Sybil skirt portion.
Tessa #1 with Tessa skirt portion.
You may have noticed that I colorblocked this Tessa with the fantastic Royal Blue. I have a bunch of smaller usable scraps from a few months ago, plus still some yardage tucked away. I have SO MUCH LOVE for this color! So at first glance, I was torn as to whether this royal blue was too bold for the red print. Typically, I encourage folks to “mind the tones” of your colors. For example, the royal blue is a jewel tone and the red isn’t. I posted a side by side picture in the group and asked if it works, yea or no. I got both responses, so that wasn’t at all helpful. In the end, my mind was made up and I made the first cut. Speed work for about an hour and TA-DA! Momma has a new dress. I put the finished dress on the dress form which has basically taken up residence in my living room window. I LOVED it! Like really loved it. I left it there for 3 days! When I delivered it, Momma Mia loved it too. She just happened to have perfectly matching shoes and a purse to add to her photo session! She is too much some days! Side note, I delivered this dress Monday evening. When I saw her on Tuesday, she was wearing it. She had been grocery shopping in it! 🙂 You go Momma! I am glad she is always willing to wear the clothes I make her. She makes this daughter proud!
This red floral print is called Felicia and I knew Momma Mia was going to LOVE it! This fabric was easy to sew and it drapes nicely. I did notice a little bit of wrinkling after I had thrown it in a bag to take it to Momma Mia, but a quick tumble in the dryer fixed it right up! This fabric has a nice weight to it also. As usual, Laura ships within a day and runs great sales and has really awesome fabric. Honestly, if you don’t know about Stitchin‘ Pretties, you are missing out.
I used the same boat neck line as the first Tessa, color blocked at the yoke and 3/4 sleeves. The above photo really shows the width difference in the skirt compared to the Sheath Style of the original Tessa. I love the that all 7 of the Sybil skirts fit with the Tessa. Maybe Momma Mia will end up with the entire collection. 🙂 I don’t think she would mind.
**The dress features a bateau or scoop neckline, optional yoke detail and five sleeve lengths: sleeveless, short, elbow, 3/4 and long. Two hem lengths are also included- above knee and shin. Bonus- the bodice part of the pattern can also be easily mashed with the Sybil Skirt Collection.
**Meant for knit fabrics, the Sybil comes with seven variations: pencil, a-line, swing, drop yoke with swing, gored, asymmetrical wrap and pleated. All versions, with the exception of the drop yoke, also have knee and midi length options as well as inseam pockets. All skirt waistbands can include the optional hidden control panel or a yoga-style waistband, no closures needed.
Before you leave my blog, did you check out The Fitting Experiment from 2 days ago? Did you leave a comment for a chance to win a pretty Love Notions Sabrina Slims pattern?
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Love Notions has tons of great patterns. They are currently increasing the size range of some of their older patterns, but the Tessa Dress in still in the smaller size range. Lucky for Momma Mia, she fits on that chart! I decided to make this dress, because I had these fantastic prints and wanted to make a color block dress.
Let’s start with the fabric! These are my strike off prints from Stitchin’ Pretties. They came with a lovely hand written note saying they would love to become a dress. 🙂 Sneaky hints, yanno. So I decided I would see if I could fill that request. At first, I though I would make a Willow Cross front dress, but was a wee bit nervous because these two fabrics are a notably different weight which made me a bit nervous. I thought I would do one half of the bodice in each color, but talked myself out of it. I decided Momma Mia would get a new dress. I ended up choosing the Tessa because I loved that it was already perfect for some colorblocking.
I knew I would put the heavier weighted fabric at the top and use the rest for the body. That was 100% my plan until I forgot to cut the body as a mirrored pair. Ugg. I could have screamed or cried!! I have talked several times on my blog about how Momma Mia doesn’t like crazy prints. I knew color blocking the back of the dress was going to be a risk, but you can’t uncut fabric! Here we go! Snip Snip, Snip! I have a new back dress panel! This dress actually sewed quickly, as it is just typical sewing, no fancy techniques even though it looks awesome!
So these trendy prints are from Stitchin’ Pretties. I love love love the quality of the fabric I get there. Laura ships within a day and offers great pricing with exceptional customer service. There is almost always great deals to be found in the clearance tab as well. Today I used Jane and Martha. Jane is the brown and blue striped fabric. It is a poly lycra blend which means it has great recovery. Martha is the name of the dots!! This print is a mid weight ITY and sewed up nicely. I love this print because “Who doesn’t love dots??” You can shop here.
Let’s talk more about Tessa. This is a knit sheath dress with loads of options. You can choose from 2 necklines, scoop and boat neck. This is the scoop. There are 5 sleeve length options including this one, which is 3/4. There are two hem length options as well. I choose the long, but there is a knee length dress option too! The back seam allows for some contouring (or colorblocking.) You can also mash the Tessa with the Sybil skirt collection for even more options!
Sometimes when mixing prints, you will have to get a little creative on how you will split up a pattern for perfect colorblocking and sometimes a pattern is already perfect for it. That is 100% the case with the Autumn Spice top. This pattern already comes split for 3 different colors.
This is the Autumn Spice with the above the bust color blocking. You also get a pattern for the color blocking to begin below the bust. It’s a 2 for 1 pattern. 🙂 I knew right away I wanted to use stripes across my shoulders and work my way down. Another awesome thing about color blocking is you can usually use scraps!! All 3 of my pieces of fabric were scraps that wouldn’t be large enough for a garment itself. Plus it feels good to have 3 more scraps out of my stash.
I love that this top wears comfortably like a regular T-shirt, but is a little fancier. Curved hi lo hemming is a nice detail on any top, and I prefer the hi lo at my hips. Even though I didn’t test this pattern for Ellie and Mac, I didn’t hesitant to purchase it.
I love that this top definitely meets the requirements for #Breakallthedamnrules. But Why does it work?
This combo is working mostly off of the color. Black is in the stripes and the flowers, red is in the floral print and the bottom solid. Also in my book, stripes and floral will always look good when the scale is right. The small stripes with mid size flowers looks good. What if I had used a large stripe? I feel they would overpower the mid size floral print and create a different look all together. Are you playing along with the House of Curves #Breakallthedamnrules series? Are you tagging me on Instagram and in Facebook? I would LOVE to see what you’re making! Also did you join in the raffle to win a store credit of $25 dollars at Ellie and Mac? The raffle is on the post. Hurry!! Today is the last day on this one!
Let’s Talk about the fabrics!
The top stripe and the bottom red are both DBP. The black and white stripes are from Stitchin’ Pretties. Stitchin’ Pretties donated a prize to my week 1 giveaway as well as my New Year’s Eve party! Only 2 more days are left in the huge blowout sale over there so get to moving! The red solid is from Sly Fox Fabrics. They are our week four giveaway sponsor and are running an awesome deal of $6.99 flat rate shipping in the US! My middle floral print is a rayon spandex that I picked up from Sew Blessed. They sponsored a give away for my New Year’s Eve party and always has great deals. These are the 3 companies I shop at. I would say 95% of my garment fabrics come from one of them.
Let’s Talk about the Pattern!
Here are your options:
Curved hem
Above and below bust color block bodice options
Relaxed fit
Three sleeve length options
No trim pattern pages for quick and easy assembly
Layers printing feature is included for this pattern for your convenience.
Here is the link!
Women’s Autumn Spice It is currently 40% off along with all the patterns at Ellie and Mac in celebration of the New Year!!
So go get the pattern, go enter my drawing for a store credit, and GO GET TO SEWING!
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This blog post contains Affiliate Links. This means that when you make a purchase from one of my blog, 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!!
SequoiaLynn Sews 