I haven’t tested too many Ellie and Mac patterns lately, even though I do love them. I am so glad I signed up for this one. I love quick, fun, flirty dresses and this one is all three.
The dress comes with two neckline options. High and Low. I chose to make the lower option. I also love that it features a slightly curved side hemline. I seem to be leaning towards hems that aren’t straight across lately. I think it is just an extra detail that dresses things up a bit. Also there are pockets! I don’t know why in the world that anyone who sews custom, doesn’t add pockets in every single garment they sew.
In true EAM style, this dress sews up quickly and is straight forward. I love that the tank style straps are wide and they cover my bra straps. That is important to me! Sometimes, the simplest details are what matters most! I also love how I can style this as a dress, though it is a little short or I can wear it over slim jeans or even leggings.
I did a FBA on my dress and shorted the length of the skirt by 2 inches for a height adjustment. I would have been more content to wear this without pants if I had left those 2 inches on the overall length of the skirt.
I picked this fabric up at Stitchin’ Pretties recently. Can you believe it was on clearance for only $3.50? I am so glad I ordered 4 yards total because I am going to need to make something else in this fabulous print. I admitted to Laura, owner of Stitchin’ Pretties, that I hadn’t given this print enough love on the website. I am so thankful I ordered it “just to fill my box!”
I am backkkk! Here is my third use of the Easy Tee pattern in the last week! Can you believe it is also my 6th use of the pattern and I haven’t repeated the same finished garment twice? That is why I LOVE 5oo4 patterns. Everything they draft has tons of options! Believe it or not, there are still some options I haven’t even made yet! This is an older pattern from 5oo4 so it doesn’t include the full bust adjustment which their newer ones include.
So for today’s share:
This one is another dress. This is the shorter length option of the dress lengths included with this pattern. I am only 5’1, but this one is a bit short even though it is drafted for a height of 5’6 I believe. I don’t really wear short anything, skirts, dresses, shorts, tops…I like to keep all my parts covered. I didn’t height adjust at all. I always feel like clothing ends up shorter on my plus size body. I know this is a personal preference and some people have different comfort levels then others. Perhaps if I had done a FBA on this pattern it would have been a wee bit longer in the front.
For my fabric this time, I used another Double Brushed Poly. I told you, I love it! This print is called Portland and I picked it up recently at Amelia Lane Designs. I actually ordered an entire shipment of purple prints. Apparently, I think purple is taking a starring role in my closet this summer. I think I am 100% ok with that! I do love purple.
I actually made this short dress for use in my summer business casual capsule. The idea of a capsule is to create a few basic pieces of clothing that you are able to mix and match and get more bang for your wardrobe buck so to speak. I have now made 4 items for my capsule. Typically I don’t create items with a capsule collection in mind but Amelia Lane has gotten sponsors for some very cool prizes over the next few weeks. If you haven’t joined them on Facebook, you probably should.
The Easy Tee comes packed with options and here is the run down.
Shirt, Tunic, Short dress, and Knee Length Dress options
Hemmed or Band options for the shirt and tunic
Curved hem option that is in between the shirt and tunic lengths
Pockets for the dress options
Maternity pattern piece
Optional waist tie and breast pocket
Crew neck, scoop neck, or v-neck
Hoods for both the crew and the scoop neck versions
Cuffs for all sleeve lengths (sleeveless, short, 3/4, long, and extra long), including thumbhole cuffs if you want them!
I’m back with my second Easy Tee of the Week. Easy Tee 5.0 This time we are doing the regular tunic version and I am using this amazing Double Brushed Poly from Sly Fox Fabrics! Do you see a trend here? I love DBP!! I love to sew with it. I love how it feels. I love the vibrant colors and prints. It really is one of my favorite fabric bases to sew with. As it warms up, people often say they get too hot while wearing it. I am so lucky that doesn’t happen to me. I love how soft and how it easily flows when I move about.
This fabric is brand spanking new at Sly Fox. The named it Liberty Belle which is super appropriate for the upcoming season! It released yesterday and is perfectly timed for all the Memorial and Independence Day festivities! I am basically crazy about floral anything and this print is no exception! You can see my picture under the photos of Liberty Belle by clicking here. I have already ordered 4 more yards of this print for a customer wanting a summer maxi dress!
I never really felt like I was into such girlie prints until I began making my clothing. It turns out, cute clothes just weren’t made with plus sized gals in mind. Sure there are some things out there, but overall it is difficult to shop ready to wear for my body.
This time I am wearing the regular tunic length without a band. I like the easy of making this garment and the comfort level of all things drafts at 5oo4. They sure know what they are going. I used the scoop neck collar again, but actually scooped it out a bit more than the pattern does. Summer is coming, It is going to be hot. I made a shorter sleeve, but not the shortest sleeve length in the pattern. This put the sleeve length at just above the elbow. Again, I have done a full bicep adjustment of 1.5 inches. This is typical for me to do in all patterns.
The Easy Tee comes packed with options and here is the run down.
Shirt, Tunic, Short dress, and Knee Length Dress options
Hemmed or Band options for the shirt and tunic
Curved hem option that is in between the shirt and tunic lengths
Pockets for the dress options
Maternity pattern piece
Optional waist tie and breast pocket
Crew neck, scoop neck, or v-neck
Hoods for both the crew and the scoop neck versions
Cuffs for all sleeve lengths (sleeveless, short, 3/4, long, and extra long), including thumbhole cuffs if you want them!
Let’s start with the epic sale that 5 out of 4 patterns is having right now! They have marked all of their dress patterns 25% off to help you get ready for Easter, but I bet a lot of you need Mother’s Day dresses and pretty dresses for upcoming weddings!! Why not pick up these amazing patterns while they are 25% off? Just click my above link and check out everything on sale…Trust me…It is a lot!
But right now, let’s talk about today’s new outfit! Remember my Copy Cat post from last month? The one where I am copying Stephanie at Sarcastic Sewist. She is sewing up 12 versions of the Diane Joggers and she has promised they will all be different! This is my February Copy Cat outfit. Again, I used the Diane Joggers patterns, but this time I am using Double Brushed Poly. Stephanie kicked it up a notch by throwing in the use of plaid. Yep, plaid on pants. Plaid print that I needed to attempt to match up so I didn’t go totally crazy each time I put them on. With a lot of time (a whole lot of time) I got them lined up to a semi respectable manner. I tried hard to make Stephanie proud! For February we are making capris!! I sewed a straight 4X as DBP has a great deal of stretch! I actually wish I would have used the 3x pattern lines for the legs. I would have preferred them just a tad more snug! I used the middle height of the waistband options and used the encased elastic. If you choose to do bottonholes with a drawstring that would be lovely. Don’t forget I wrote a tutorial post to help you make buttonholes. Again I added front pockets, but unlike Stephanie, I wimped out on making patch pockets for the booty. My pattern patching skills aren’t that great and at this point my patience was running slim!
See they are sorta matched!
In the original outfit, Stephanie used the Knot Your Average Top from 5oo4. Sadly, The Knot Your Average Top doesn’t come in my size. I swapped with the Jessie top which is another great pattern from 5 out of 4 and it happens to be part of the big 25% off sale because it is also a dress. Remember, it is Momma Mia’s favorite dress. I again used double brushed poly for my top. Jessie is a slim fitting top and it I graded out a bit more than the 5x line which is the largest size included. My shirt is still a little more slim that I typically wear. I added a little to the shirt length to have this top at a length I feel better about wearing. I used the high front low back option for my shirt and criss crossed the back opening with thin turned tubes. This shirt sews fairly quickly once you get your tubes turned out. This is Momma Mia’s favorite dress and she has requested a new one for spring. As we all know #Whatmommawantsmommagets! I will sew her a new one this weekend.
Booty plaid matching!
Let’s talk about my fabric! Both of my fabrics are from Stitchin’ Pretties. The plaid print is called Kenzie and the print is Navy. Both are double brushed poly and sew up neatly. I used my serger for most of the construction. I used my regular machine to stitch down my criss cross tube pattern and for hemming. Both of these prints are available at Stitchin’ Pretties. While you are there, you should check out the clearance section and the code that will get you some fabric for $3.50! Laura has super fast shipping and you will be overly impressed with the fabrics!
All the Details:
The Diane Joggers pattern includes:
3 rise heights (low/maternity, mid, and high)
Shorts, Capri, and Long cut lengths
4 leg finishes – cuffed, hemmed, drawstring, or elastic
Information for both hemming and using bands (hello no hemming!)
This is my 3rd pair of joggers! Let’s do the math. 3 pair divided into $9.95 equals $3.32 per pair! I can’t wait to see what it works our to when I have an entire year’s worth of these pants! You can pick up your Diane Pattern using my Aff. Link here.
The Jessie Pattern Includes:
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
This is my 5th Jessie. Let’s do that math. 5 Jessie’s divided into $7.95 equals $1.59 per use. Also don’t forget there is another one coming for Momma Mia this weekend. I like to buy patterns that work for me, that I will make more than one option, and I like! If I spend money on a pattern, I like to count the pattern prince in with the fabric price to figure the cost of my item. When it works out to $1.59 a use… it is totally worth it to me! You can pick up Jessie and all the other Sale dresses here.
I may have even wore my Jessie Top for some impromptu target practice! I am channeling my inner Charlie’s Angel here.
I have shared my Aff. Links in this post. That just means I make a bit of a commission all any patterns you purchase.
Are you following me on other social media? Here are my links.
You can follow my blog by clicking the Follow button on the right side of my blog.
Finally, I sewed myself a little spring number! This dress was 100% brought on by the need to sew for Spring! The current stocking at Amelia Lane Designs is Springy prints and all Double Brushed Poly. DBP fabric is a drapey knit that comes in a huge range of colors and prints. The first one I am sharing has beautiful flowers on a lovely plum background. It is called Bristol. The design and colors are perfect for warmer weather. When my package arrived, it included a note stating that this fabric was the softest brushed poly ever and after working with it, I actually have to agree. It is amazingly soft. I knew I wanted a pretty dress for spring, but also knew I only had 2 yards to work with. Let Fabric Jenga Happen!!
I perused my pattern collection looking for something new and fun. I wanted to sew up something I hadn’t made yet, so I turned to some Ellie and Mac patterns that I missed during my testing break. I choose to make the To The Point. This pattern comes in 3 length options. Here I am wearing the long tunic length. This is the middle length of the options included in the pattern. I also am wearing a mid length sleeve.
Like most Ellie and Mac patterns this one comes in sizes up to 5x. You can choose a slim fit or a loose one. I am honestly not sure how I missed that when I printed the pattern, but I made the slim option. I am not a slim fit kinda gal so I wish I would have realized this before making it.
A few other things to note
Three sleeve options
Two neckline options
Tunic, long tunic or dress length options
Fitted or relaxed version options
The pattern also included directions for color blocking.
This pattern came together very quickly. For some reason, I always feel like garments finish much faster when I do the hemming first. Since this pattern has the point for the hem, I did it first. I also hemmed the sleeves while they were still flat. Super speedy!
I paired my To The Point Slim fitting top with a pair of random pink pants I dyed like 2 years ago and haven’t moved from my closet since. I think they look great with my top and so springy.
You can pick up your own Bristol print fabric here/ It is currently on sale for 15% off, but only until Monday! Hurry up!
To The Point tunic is available here. It has been on sale for 40% off this month, but as luck would have it, this pattern is on FLASH sale! I thought for only Thusday, but it is still marked down! Hurry and get it! No code needed. $3.00 🙂
A huge thank you for those who are following my blog, Instagram, and my Facebook! If you haven’t done so yet, here are some links!
You can follow my blog by clicking the Follow button on the right side of my blog.
This blog post contains Affiliate Links. This means that when you make a purchase from one of my affiliate links, I receive a small commission. That helps me to buy more fabric to show you new and upcoming patterns. 🙂 So thank you!!
Thanks for visiting my stop of the Rebecca Page Double Duty blog tour! All of the bloggers have been sharing some great hacks to help you get more bang for your pattern bucks! I am kinda a thrifty gal, so when this tour came up, I couldn’t wait to join! Then folks started talking about their ideas and I thought I was probably in over my head. I kept several ideas in mind, but I knew I wanted to hack the Circle Cardigan into a garment I could wear in more than just winter.
My original cardigan was made from this amazingly soft and snuggle worthy, Hacci Sweater knit. I love it, I wear it often. I will miss it when winter ends and the heat of summer rolls around. BUT just because sweater season will be ending soon, doesn’t mean I should put away The Circle Cardigan pattern. Let’s hack it for warmer weather! Here we go!!
You will need:
The pattern printed in your size. If you need to grade it, now is the time! You just need to print the short length and the ¾ length sleeve. The band is up to you, I just hemmed the circle.
Fabric and matching thread
Tube Turners
Sewing machine, Serger is optional
Marker
Ruler
The first thing we need to do is shorten the overall length of the cardigan. I decided to remove 6 inches from the bottom length. I used my ruler to mark 6 inches up from the bottom of my current pattern piece. I began at the center back and worked my way towards the side. I knew I wanted to grade inward so it would still be a circle cardigan. I made graduated marks at 5 in, 4 in, 3 in, 2 in, then finally 1 inch.
2. Now use a French curve to connect all of these marks.
3. Trim the pattern into your new shorter length and set aside. Get your sleeve piece out.
4. I shorted my sleeve to slightly above the 3/4 sleeve option. This is up to you. What length do you prefer? Cut out your fabric. Mark the center of your sleeve. I drew a line down the middle then used my ruler to cut a long 2 inch rectangle out of the center. Again the length depends on you, but leave enough to have room for seam allowances and hemming.
5. Outline the rectangle with wash away seam tape then folded the edges back. You will have to make small snips at the corners so it lays flat. Just tiny ones will do the trick! I topstitched here to hold it in place as well.
6. Next we need to make tubes. I just cut several long strips from my scraps. They are 1.5 inches wide by whatever length my scrap was. I serged them into long ribbons then used my medium tube turner to quickly flip them.
MAGIC
7. Now take your sleeve and lay it wrong side up on your ironing board. I used pins to “shape” my opening. I measured to be sure it was mostly square. I then pinned it to the ironing board. Now use a marker to divide your opening into equal sections. I did 2 inches apart vertically and eyeballed it to be level horizontally. I then made a criss cross pattern with my tubes and pinned down the points. Carefully, pull your entire sleeve up and off the ironing board. I stress carefully because I flung pins everywhere the first time. 🙂
8. Stitch criss cross tubes in place. Sew slowly! Remove the pins are you go! Lengthen your stitch. I went up to 3.0! If your presser foot starts to push your criss crosses, just lift the foot up and set it down on top of them! Breathe! You are in charge here. See how my corners are a bit rounded out? Continue making square corners so it looks neat from the front side! When you have stitched all the way around, cut your threads. I also trimmed the tails of my criss cross tubes. Be careful. One slip and you will be sad.
Are you ready for the big reveal?!?!
Criss Cross Sleeve Complete! Perfect vents for warmed temps!
I am loving my new spring look! I wish the grass was greener in this pic, but in truth it is still 30* with another snow storm heading out way!
Let’s Talk Fabric: Both of these prints are from Sly Fox Fabrics! Sly Fox ships within 24 hours so you could be wearing this combo before next weekend!
Double Brushed Poly Glen Plaid in Mustard Houndstooth is the cardigan print! You can shop here.
The colorful Mandela Print has been sold out for awhile, so feel free to beg the Foxes for its return. I love this print here and think it would look amazing with the houndstooth.
The regular pattern comes in sizes up to 5x with these options
2 length options (short or long),
3 hem options (plain, band or ruffle)
3 sleeve options (sleeveless, ¾ and full length)
Have you checked out the rest of the tours on the Double Duty Blog Tour?? What are you waiting for?? All the links and a raffle for some free Rebecca Page Goodness are below!
More Inspiration
Please visit all the stops on the Rebecca Page Double Duty Blog Tour for more great inspiration:
This blog post contains Affiliate Links. This means that when you make a purchase from one of my affiliate links, I receive a small commission. That helps me to buy more fabric to show you new and upcoming patterns. 🙂 So thank you!!
I am copying the heck out of my Sew Sista, Stephanie! Stephanie AKA The Sarcastic Sewist, is doing an exciting, year long blog series using the Diane Joggers from 5outof4 Patterns. She will be using the pattern options as well as hacking the original design to make 12 different pants to cover every possible need you have in your wardrobe. You can read her original post here.
Her look was created with French Terry for the bottoms and DBP for the top. So I knew I wanted to do the same. I also knew that since I have never sewn this pattern before, I would want to make a muslin. A muslin (or a toile) is basically a mock up of a pattern made with the purpose of testing fit, determining personal adjustments, or even practicing unfamiliar techniques. You don’t use your high dollar fabrics or fabrics you need to make look good for a promo (my situation). At times, pants can be a bit tricky to get right even if an amazing designer has drafted them. My issue is that I have a large belly, no hips and no booty. When I take my hip measurement into account, I am put solidly into a size 5x with these pants. I am also lucky enough to know that The Diane Joggers, The Zen Pants, and The Molly PJ’s all have the same rise. This means that when measuring from the front waist band, between my legs, over my booty and up to the back waist band, all three of the patterns were created equal. Since I tested the Molly PJ set, I knew that making a 5X would have me swimming in fabric. With Molly, I tried making a 4x and grading my legs to a 3x. This worked well for me. My Molly fabric was DBP, so it has more stretch than French Terry. Because of this, I didn’t want to grade down to the 3x for my legs. I needed these pants to have their intended look, which is fitted, but not skin tight and I needed them to look good in public.
These Diane Joggers are a straight 4x. I only adjusted for height. These are my mock up pair and I only removed 3 inches from the length. When I tried them on it was clear that I needed to remove about another 2 inches so you can see the cuffs I worked so hard to put on. 🙂
I choose to add the pockets since this is a copy cat and Stephanie made pockets. I used a decorative stitch on my regular sewing machine to decorate the pockets. I used the wonder tape which was suggested in the pattern and in Stephanie’s blog post. It honestly did make this so easy. Here is photo of my decorative stitching. I like the loop to loop design with the polka dot print. You can also see that I topstitched along the top of the pocket and made the drawstring casing for the waistband.
I used this Gray French Terry fabric as my muslin. I picked this up months ago from Rosa at Sew Blessed. As always, her prices are low and her inventory changes almost weekly. I knew I wanted a solid top to wear with these pants so I wore my Paris top that I recently made to wear with my Arabella Skirt. The Coral solid looks lovely with the darker gray in my pants. I was lucky enough to have these flip flops which are nearly a perfect color match!
Since overall, I was happy with the fit of these pants, the only change I made was removing 2 more inches from the length. I am only 5’1. This will most likely always need to be done when I make pants.
These are my second pair of Dianes. I am obsessed with this fabric. It is French Terry from Stitchin’ Pretties. The print is called Hallie and here is the direct link to it. I love how it looks a little bit vintage and a whole lot of pretty. My shirt here is Molly. Yes, Molly is a PJ top, but it is also a neatly fitting basic T-shirt which comes with a Full Bust Adjustment. I added several inches to my sleeves (remember Stephanie shortened hers) and did a Full Bicep Adjustment. I also added 3 inches to the shirt length so the world wouldn’t see my belly. My fabric is this Dark Hunter Green from Stitchin’ Pretties. My boots are covering my cuffs here, but I did shorten my length and they no longer pool around my ankles. I wanted to be able to wear this outfit to work, so I dressed it up a bit with boots and added some pretty jewelry my friend, Tonya, gave me.
These pants have a drawstring waist. I used a long narrow piece of my French Terry to make the tube. If you make tubes, Tube Turners will save you so much time and frustration. I was able to turn this narrow piece in about 30 seconds. I used an elastic bodkin to pull it through the waistband and that took about another 30 seconds. I double knotted the ends of my so they wouldn’t easily pull through my waistband. I am very happy to report that these pants stayed up all day! I was worried that they would slip down and fall down as the day drug on. NOPE, didn’t budge!! I am such a happy girl!
Let’s get you some pattern links. All of these patterns are sized up to 5x.
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!!
So I have set a personal challenge for myself this year and I don’t think I have shared it with you guys. I have decided to challenge myself with sewing more difficult garments, with proper finishes, fancy techniques and making more than just knits. For anyone who makes clothes, this could be considered, “Stepping up my game!” I am actually getting prepared to make a coat. A real deal coat, with pockets, a hood, a yoke, and a lining! What am I thinking?? Anyhow before I get to that project, I decided I needed to make a few more Rebecca Page patterns.
So I sewed up the Arabella, a gorgeous voluminous skirt with side seam pockets, optional decorative sash, and an elastic back band for custom fit!
I choose to make the maxi length and I decided to this amazing vintage sheet for my skirt. This skirt comes with the options for above the knee, at the knee, midi as well as maxi lengths.
Do you need more options? How about these …
2 waistband heights (regular and tall)
Optional sash
Optional side seam pockets
Suitable for woven or knit
I used the regular waistband height, added the sash and the pockets and used a woven fabric.
Ahh Top stitching looks lovely!
I knew I needed a top to wear with this skirt and wanted to make another Rebecca Page pattern. Stephanie, The Sarcastic Sewist suggested the Paris Party Top. I didn’t even realize it came with sleeves, but she assured me it did. She has all the intel! Because this top is more slim fitting than I am comfortable wearing and I am already at the top of the size chart, I knew I would have to do a bit of adjusting. So I began with a full bust adjustment. I added 1.5 inches to the bust. I smoothed out the hourglass look of the top because I am an Apple and don’t have an inward curve at my waist. I also added 3 inches to the length as this shirt is designed to me worn with the party dress. Then I adjusted the bicep. I added an inch to the bicep. This is a normal adjustment that I make when I am sewing, so it has really become second nature for me to do it.
Pocket’s are everything in a skirt.
Since I knew this would be a spring/summer outfit, I choose to go with this pretty orange color. It really is lovely, isn’t it? I picked this up from Sly Fox Fabrics. It is this coral Double Brushed Poly. I love sewing with DBP. I love how soft it feels and how nicely it drapes. Also Sly Fox Fabrics has flat rate shipping for $6.99, any size in the US.
Shirt options included in this pattern:
scoop & boat neck options,
crop or full length hem,
short, ¾ or full length sleeves,
Skirt options included in the pattern
large box pleats stitched down or open,
high or regular waistband, and above knee,
knee or tea length options
center back zip closure with either buttons or snaps
If you are ready to sew either of these patterns up, Here are your links!
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!!
Thanks for visiting my stop of the Rebecca Page Double Duty blog tour! All of the bloggers have been sharing some great hacks to help you get more bang for your pattern bucks! I am kinda a thrifty gal, so when this tour came up, I couldn’t wait to join! Then folks started talking about their ideas and I thought I was probably in over my head. I kept several ideas in mind, but I knew I wanted to hack the Circle Cardigan into a garment I could wear in more than just winter.
SequoiaLynn Sews 