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!

Ellie and Mac – Wrapped in Love

Hi friends in Blog land,

Hope you are doing well and not stressing about the holidays. I think this year has had plenty of stress, so we need to take this time to relax, enjoy life, and wrap ourselves in love! I couldn’t think of a better dress pattern to use for this purpose than one literally called Wrapped In Love.

Over the past few years I have sewn dozens of Ellie and Mac patterns. I love that they are pretty, tend to be fairly quick and fit me well. I printed and taped this pattern before I realized I have actually made the skirt before. #seamstressproblems I hacked the skirt and combined it with the Be Breezy to make a small capsule and I loved the outcome. I actually wrote the hack for the Ellie and Mac Blog. Here is the link there. Below is one photo of that set. Click the link to check out the entire set!

For this dress, I made a few small changes. I omitted the bodice lining. I know it gives a cleaner neckline finish, but honestly I hate wasting all that fabric. I also scooped the neckline 2.5 inches lower, then cut a neckband. Easy Peasy! I smoothed out the back curve and cut the back bodice on the fold. I made the sleeves slightly roomier as the regular pattern is very slim. I actually wanted these to come out larger, but alas they aren’t as poofy as I dreamed. Once I had the bodice assembled with the sleeves, I put it on. I marked on my arm (yea with a purple ink pen that was holding my hair up #protip) where the cuff would hit. I then measured the circumference of my arm at that point and subtracted 1/2 inch. This would ensure my sleeve cuff was tight enough to be snug, but not cut off my circulation. I shorted the skirt length by 2.5 inches.

Because pockets are everything!

So what do you think about this fabric? This oh so glorious fabric?? I am in awe of it really, the colors, the weight, the cool slinky feeling of it. This is DTY from Sly Fox Fabrics and it is gorgeous. GORGEOUS, folks! I actually don’t have enough words to say how much I love it. When it was offered up in to the promo team, I signed up IMMEDIATELY! I needed this fabric in my life! I was grateful to be chosen to sew it up, then ordered 2 additional yards because it HAD TO BE A MAXI DRESS! I am still living in dresses since my surgery. My body still isn’t super happy about wearing jeans. Thankfully, I have a pretty well stocked closet!

Maxi dress for the win!

This fabric is called Azalea in Navy and the Sly Fox Website lists several coordinates for it and they are all lovely! Here is the link to head over to order this print yourself! SFF has free shipping on orders over $150. #Selflovecomesinfabricshipments.

Wrapped in Love is currently on sale for $4.97! So worth every single penny!

Here is my afflink. This costs your nothing extra, but I do receive a small commission from the designer for “Sharing my Love.”

Fabric is DTY from Sly Fox Fabric and is Gorgeous remember. It is called Azalea in Navy!

Here is direct link to it.

On a side note, my sewing machine is back from the repair shop and seems to be doing ok. A good cleaning and a new type of needle and it is happy again. Let’s hope this continues! I have several projects coming your way this week including a new Youtube video which is kicking off a new series on my channel. I hope you have all subscribed to get notified!

SequoiaLynn Sews on Youtube <–give me a click 🙂

Pattern Hacking at Love Notions

Hi Friends! I recently did a super exciting hack over at Love Notions on how to turn the Summer Basics Tank/Dress into a fall favorite! I loved the OG and the new version! If you want to check my blog post, it is here.

I love this outfit so much. My fabrics are from Stitchin’ Pretties. Their buy 2 yards, get a bonus coordinating fabric sale continues!

Loriellen is here – it is the amazing animal print

Sabrina is here – it is the black Jacquard eyelet

Since I was feeling really extra, I also made a video. I will teach you how to change the skirt from a normal skirt to a lapped tulip hem, add picot to give it a pretty finish, and sew the entire dress. This was really fun! Here is the video link.

While there, please show me some love by liking and subscribing to my channel!

Whitney is here – It is the blue floral

Ok Let’s talk pattern links

Summer Basic

Sloane Sweater

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Jessica @ 5oo4 has a Birthday and saving you some cash!

Half Price SALE!!! 

50% off of everything!!! 

except the Candy Pants

Here is a little collage of some of my 5oo4 makes in the last year.

5oo4 is without a doubt my most used patterns! You will not be disappointed!

She told me not to use this picture, but I think it is kinda great! #Whatbabygirlwantsbabygirlgets

Pattern.

Here is a link for you to save!

Sienna Makers Jacket

Holy Smokes! I made a coat! A jacket, actually, but it is like a coat! This jacket is a first for me for a few reasons.

• Reason 1. Umm It is a jacket… sewing game leveled up!
• Reason 2. A new to me designer.
• Reason 3. Said Designer is expanding their size range deeper into the plus size market.
• Reason 4. My first time sewing Flat Fell seams.
• Reason 5. This is the first time I’ve sewn for a designer when I didn’t see pictures from any other testers during the process.

Did I mention that I made a coat err.. jacket!!

Let’s talk about the Sienna! The Sienna has just released from Closet Case Patterns. The design was inspired by vintage French workwear. This jacket is super comfy and I am really happy with the outcome. That being said, there were a few adjustments made to the pattern after my test. The shoulders were moved in slightly and the sleeves were slimmed down a bit. The center back seam was shaped a bit to reduce the bulk in the back. These adjustments have improved the overall fit and feel of the Sienna and I can’t wait to sew up a new one!

The Sienna comes in 3 different lengths and several options for each of them! I sewed up the mid length. I loved the drop shoulder style of this jacked with the notched out collar detailing. I think that collar really adds a professional look to the garment. Can we also take a minute and talk about the pockets, huge roomy pockets and lots of them! I sewed two giant pockets on the outside and one on the inside! I added a front chest pocket on the outside too! There is even an option for sleeve pockets!

I sewed up View B with the non-pocketed sleeves. Overall, the pattern sewed up neatly. The directions with photos were well written and easy to follow. Like I said before, this was my first go with Flat fell seams and I am happy to report that aren’t difficult at all. They are a little time consuming, yet, so…worth…it! Flat Fell seams are a neat and tidy way to finish seams and are perfect for this unlined jacket. If you aren’t aware, flat fell seams are the seams you see on your jeans.   

The jacket is held closed with an attached belt. It, too, was easily constructed with only fabric, interfacing, and a set of D rings.

Here is the pattern info from the website:

Sewing level: Intermediate

Sizes: 0-20 and 14-30  (see our sizing chart here)

Finished measurements: Sizes 0-20 here and Sizes 14-30 here

Instructions: English & French

Print at Home File (Letter & A4): Sizes 0-20 (36-46 pages), Sizes 14-30 (46-56 pages)

Copyshop file (36×48 / A0): View A & B (3 pages), View C (2 pages)

If you are interested in sewing up your own Sienna Maker Jacket here is the link.

Agility Tank and Dress

Did you know that one of 5 out of 4’s most popular patterns is the Agility Tank? Did you know the Agility tank just expanded its size range? Yep, now it comes in sizes up to 5x which matches the size range of newer 5 out of 4 designs.

For testing, I made my first ever sports bra. I have only purchased one sports bra in my entire adult life and that was because I needed a racer back to wear with a shirt on my blog. I hated it BTW. I don’t like sports bras for general everyday wear because I require a lot of support in the bust area. I ordered some mesh to sew into my bra, but as it turns out all mesh is not created equal. The mesh I received was more of a mesh overlay compared to a supportive mesh even though it was labeled power mesh. If you order mesh for sports bra use, please make sure it is the sturdy stuff.

So let’s talk about my tank dress with built in bra. I used a heavier cotton lycra for the bra portion and added the clear elastic through the straps and neckband as the pattern recommended. This did help somewhat with support, but again a strong power mesh would have helped more. I also did a little height adjusting. I removed 1 inch from the back racer before attaching the back T to the back bra strap. I also removed 1 inch from the front straps to help hold things up and in. My overlay dress fabric it a rayon spandex, I believe. I picked this up on a garage sale table at my quilt guild meeting last month, but I know it is from Joann’s because I have used it before! I loved it then and now. It is super soft, like the softest fabric ever and the colors are so vibrant! Loving that my cone flowers and phlox are blooming!

I made the 4x graded to a 5x as usual with 5 out of 4 patterns. I chose to make the Racer T back style but you could make the strappy option if you prefer. I also choose to make a dress, but you could do just a bra option or a top length. I removed 2 inches from the skirt to adjust for my height. It is still a little longer than the designer intended as it should hit mid knee. I just did a regular hem, but you could choose bands or drawstrings. So many options. I always say that is why I love 5 out of 4.

So here are all the options…

THE WOMEN’S AGILITY TANK INCLUDES:

• T-back sports bra
• Strappy back sports bra
• T-back or strappy back overlay tank with a drawstring or banded hem
• T-back or strappy back tankini overlay (lower cut sides, so skin shows beneath bra)
• T-back or strappy back overlay dress
• Every option can be made with nursing access!
• Maternity pattern pieces

While putting together this tank, I made a video for my readers. This time I am showing you how to use the Stitch in the Ditch foot to neatly hide top stitching lines. Since I am doing this on a sports bra, there isn’t a lot of room to do top stitching so I decided I wanted to hide my stitches. I used a straight stitch slightly lengthen to do this. Here is the embedded clip.

Thanks for watching!

Do you want to give the Agility tank a try? This is the link to the pattern so you can pick it up while it is on sale!!!

This is my affiliate link! I think you for supporting my sewing!

Have you checked out 5 out of 4’s brand new website? It looks amazing, it is easy to navigate and now has a search feature!

You can follow all of my sewing adventures through the links below!

• You can follow my blog by clicking the Follow button on the right side of my blog.
• You can follow me on Instagram by clicking here.
• You can follow me on Facebook by clicking here.
• You can follow me on YouTube by clicking here.
• You can follow me on Pinterest by clicking here.

This blog contains affiliate links.

Sleeve Hack Series #1 – Gathered Sleeves

Maggie has gotten a lot of love on my blog, but Melissa, the designer has been off living her best life for awhile. Good news though, she is back and drafting up a storm. I pulled out one of my most used Bella Sunshine Designs patterns for this series. A few months ago, I discovered that I really like tops with interesting sleeve details. I am working on putting together a series of shirt sleeve hacks to run right here, on my blog. Today, I am introducing you to my first one.

Let’s start with a reminder of the Maggie pattern. Maggie comes in a top, tunic, and dress lengths. I typically cut the tunic length as I prefer my shirts a little big longer. It comes with an included Full Bust Adjustment. There are 3 neckline options as well as 3 sleeve lengths! This version is a tunic, adjusted sleeves with a scoop neckline and pairs perfectly with leggings. I sewed a 24 bust graded to a 28 waist. Bella Sunshine Designs includes sizing up to 30.

Here are some of my previous Maggies.

Maggie Changed My Sewing Game

Filling my Spring Closet with Maggie

This fabric is a beautiful new release from Amelia Lane Designs. It is called Dulce and is on new sale as it debuts. It is a double brushed poly and the colors are absolutely beautiful. You can pick the fabric up here. ALD has great quality fabrics and a wide variety of fabric bases. Also, super fast shipping, which is what is very important to me as a customer.

Maggie sews up quickly, but since this is the kick off to my Sleeve Hack Series, we are switching it up a bit. For starters, we are creating a gathered sleeve. Basically, I am going to show you how to use elastic to draw your sleeve up and create a new look. Sometimes, even simple changes make for a big impact.  For this top, I printed the 3/4 sleeve length even though I only planned to do about an elbow length sleeve. The reason I went ahead and printed the extra length is so I didn’t have to redraft any of the arm even though I wanted a longer than short length. I measured about 2.5 inches down from the length of the short sleeve. I knew that adding the elastic would draw the sleeve up a bit and I didn’t want the sleeves to be too short.  As always with Bella Sunshine Designs, I needed a Full Bicep Adjustment. I have talked about them many times on my blog and have a little video here if you aren’t sure how to do them.

Another new thing I am trying for my blog is more videos!! I am by no means a professional, but I think this gives you a better idea of what you should do. I think a lot of the time just seeing what is happening is helpful. I have recently created a Youtube Channel for my sewing stuff so feel free to like and follow it so you don’t miss any uploads.

Here is the embedded video from my YouTube Channel. Please feel free to give me a follow and a share!

 

Easy enough, correct? I love the slightly gathered sleeve and hope you do also!

Do you need to add the Maggie top to your collection? Here are some links for ya!

• Ladies pattern. Sizes 0-30. Click here 
• Bundle includes ladies and women’s pattern. Click here
• Girls pattern. Sizes 6m – 12. Click here.

You can follow all of my sewing adventures through the links below!

• You can follow my blog by clicking the Follow button on the right side of my blog.
• You can follow me on Instagram by clicking here.
• You can follow me on Facebook by clicking here.
• You can follow me on YouTube by clicking here.
• You can follow me on Pinterest by clicking here.

This blog contains Affiliate Links.

Layla Dress – 5oo4

The Layla Dress, The Everything Dress, The Perfect Dress

Yep, That basically sums it up. This dress has everything you need. I feel that 5 out of 4 really does a stellar job of covering all the possible options and I never feel like there is something that is missing.

I struggled to decide which fabrics I would use for this dress and had assembled the entire bodice before choosing my skirt fabric. I thought I had actually decided I was using a pink solid woven fabric that had been hanging out on my shelf for years, but then I realized that I didn’t have enough of the solid fabric I wanted to use, so I ran to the store! I ended up choosing a regular quilting cotton. I picked this fun, bright pink and white print that would work well with my bodice. I knew I would be adding a solid pink sash to tie my top and bottom together and I picked up some cute buttons while at the store. My bodice fabric is from Ksews. I thought this was Liverpool, but I think it is actually more of a waffle knit. Whatever it is, I love it for spring and summer! Super bright and cheerful!

Rachelle from 5oo4 admitted this is her most difficult pattern to date, but trust me she has dialed it in perfectly! I made a size 24 bust graded to 26 at the waist. The pattern comes with Full Bust pattern pieces included which I love! This saves me the work of doing it on my own. I love that! The princess seams are a lovely detail as well.

The bodice is fully lined. The reason I like this is that it keeps the neckline extra clean and neat looking. Even though I know how to sew a neckband and all that jazz, even just a stitch or two out of line stands out like a sore thumb. With the lined bodice, you will never have that issue. The directions were well written and easy to follow. I didn’t have any difficulty with the actual assembly of my new dress, but it took several hours to do it. This pattern is well drafted with excellent directions, but it isn’t a 2 hour project, so plan accordingly.

I chose to sew up the scoop neck option with short sleeves and used buttons instead of the snaps. This is the Knee length adjusted for height. I am only 5’1.

Here are all the options that come with the pattern:

The Women’s Layla Dress PDF sewing pattern includes the following:

• Fully lined princess seamed knit bodice.
  • Regular or FBA Bodice
  • Two neckline options: scoop or jewel.
  • Four sleeve length options: sleeveless, short, 3/4 or long.
  • Button or snap back placket closure.
• Inverted A-line Box Pleat skirt in either knit OR woven.
  • Two lengths: knee or maxi.
• See the last image for the yardage and notions required.
• Sizes 2-26

The Women’s Pattern is available here

The Girl’s Pattern is available here

The Bundle is here with extra savings

HOC Week 3

Welcome to Week 3 of the House of Curves #Breakallthedamnrules series. Have you made yourself something amazing to wear yet? I hope so! Make sure you are tagging me on Facebook and on Instagram. You can use #sequoialynnsews and #Houseofcurves or #Breakallthedamnrules so I can see you amazing outfits!

OK This week we have another shop credit to give away! This time Bella Sunshine Designs has donated a $20 shop credit!! I wear a lot of great items from Bella Sunshine Designs. Their size range is from doll size through size 30. For reference in BSD patterns, I wear a 24 bust, which is about a 3x in RTW.

One of my favorite color blocked BSD patterns is this Amelia! You can read about my original Amelia here.

I made this dress last spring and I still adore these prints today! The lined bodice keeps everything in place and makes it comfortable to wear anywhere. Plus, I do love anything with an Empire Waist.

So why does this work? The black in the floral and the polka dots bring the two different prints together. Again, we have to look at the scale here. Large random floral design, smaller organized polka dots.

This dress is sized from 00-30 and it comes with an included Full Bust Adjustment!

Get your patterns here!

Ladies Pattern

Another one of my absolute favorite Bella Sunshine Designs patterns is this one…

The Apple Cardigan. This was actually my second ever blog post! You can read about it here. 

So why does the floral work with the pink stripes? It all comes down to the color and scale. More than a year later I am still wearing it! Sometimes I wear it with my favorite camo slim fit pants “because camo is basically a solid.” 🙂 We will talk about that in a few days. 🙂

Here is another Apple Cardigan I have made. Again, mixing up my prints. 🙂 My original post can be seen here. 

 Here is the link to the Women’s Pattern.  

Have you joined the House of Curves Facebook group yet? Have you added us on Instagram? Are you following my blog??

Now take a minute and Enter this week’s giveaway by clicking below!

A Rafflecopter Giveaway