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

EAM – Go Exploring Cardigan

Hi Friends! I have been lazy about blogging lately. I sewed this one up months ago actually. Ugg I have been a bum, but trying to motivate myself. I have several really great things to share actually. So with this first picture, you will see that I am not the one wearing my lovely new cardigan…Momma Mia is. Huummm….Keep Reading.

I received this amazing stretch velvet from Stitchin’ Pretties for my monthly promo fabric and then used some pretty SP scraps I had in my bin for the accents. Floral and Stripes will always be amazing together, you will never convince me otherwise. You can find this lovely fabric listed as Jocelyn here. I thought it would make a beautiful cardigan and I wasn’t wrong. Let’s start with talking about velvet a bit.

When working with any sort of velvet you have to keep in mind it has a nap. This just means that the fabric lays one way and and you want it to all match. Usually if you brush your hand down the garment it will be smooth, if you pull your hand up along the fabric it will be rougher. Another thing with velvet, it you won’t iron it like normal cotton fabric. Again this is because of the nap. If you lay it on your ironing board and press the heck out of it, you will crush your pretty nap. If you have to iron it, you can use a velvet board or have two besties help you hold your fabric up in the iron and iron the back side. Note to readers, I didn’t iron this at all. 🙂 Also check your stretch percentage when making a a garment. This is should be a given, but sometimes I don’t do it. This is why Momma Mia now has a pretty new cardigan and I don’t. I sewed the 5x to give myself some extra wiggle room, but it was still too tight. Momma Mia is 3 sizes smaller and it fits her well. She is so happy with it.

I decided pretty quickly that I wanted to use this lush fabric for a cardigan. After looking at several, I decided to try out the Go Exploring Cardigan from Ellie and Mac. I had not made this one yet, but really liked the look of it. All of the models on the website looked super stylish. So I quickly printed and assembled my pattern. I really like that EAM patterns are pretty straight forward and I have made enough of them to have the routine down.

My pockets flapped open a bit more than I liked, so I dug into my button stash and produced these lovelies. Momma Mia sewed them on herself! Another change I would have made was actually adjusting for height. I normally don’t height adjust on anything that is shirt or cardigan because my side waist measurement is normal even though I am short. This cardigan is on the longer length so was too long for my taste. Note to self for the next time.

The Go Exploring Cardigan is now on sale for $4. Here is my afflink. Using my link doesn’t change anything for you, but I receive a small commission from the designer as a thank you.

Beautiful Stretch Velvet fabric is here.

Lucy – Perfect Scrap Buster

I have been looking for some projects that would be perfect for using up some of my large fabric scraps. Today I am using the Lucy pattern from 5oo4 patterns. I picked this pattern because I have an assortment of long semi narrow lengths of fabric which should work well for anything with princes seams. Next photo… the scrap pile! These scraps were left over from this dress hack. I added a solid burgundy 1 yard cut to the pile.

This lovely pattern features princess seams in top, tunic, and 2 dress lengths. I sewed the scoop neck version of the tunic. I didn’t adjust for height which worked out well since I couldn’t locate any comfy pants to wear with and actually match this tunic. I made the 4x FBA graded to the 5x pattern.

• 

All the options included with the Lucy Pattern.

The Women’s Lucy Top and Dress includes:

• Women’s sizes XXS – 5XL
• Princess seams
• Jewel or scoop neck options
• Sleeveless, cap sleeve, short sleeve, elbow sleeve, three-quarter length sleeve, or long sleeves.
• Top, Tunic, Mini Dress and Knee Dress length options
• Optional Lace Up back

• 

This pattern came together super easily. I used my serger for everything but the hemming which is always nice. You can always use a zig zag stitch in your regular machine though. My sewing machine is out of the shop and I am not sure it is completely fixed. Still fighting with it at times. Ugg

To pick up the Lucy pattern, please click my affiliate link. https://5outof4.com/product/lucy-top-and-dress/?affiliates=216

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

• 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.

The Fitting Experiment – Hourglass Dress

The Fitting Experiment

Episode 2- The Hourglass Dress

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!

If you would like to check out this, and other patterns from Runi, here is the link.

My fabric is from The Material Girls.

A special thank you to Made by Runi for sponsoring The Fitting Experiment makers with patterns so that we can share our thoughts with you.

Please check out the other makers:

• Diskordiascurvysewing
• SequoiaLynn Sews (Me)
• Liviality
• Sew Below the Willow Tree
• Bigflynotions
• JongDesign

 

Sydney Peplum and how to piece a lining

Welcome to the 5 dollar weekend deal at 5 out of 4!! Today is Easter Sunday and we are still in quarantine due to Covid 19. Please stay in, maybe video chat with friends and family, hug your pets, wash your hands…and go buy this pattern!!

I have shared the Sydney, one other time, and it was for Momma Mia. This time, I needed a new spring shirt and thought the Sydney would be a great choice. I knew I was making a top length, but you can choose from 5 other skirts!!

I also knew I only had 2 yards of this lovely fabric from Stitchin’ Pretties. This print is called Jade and it is Double Brushed Poly. INSIDER TIP: This fabric is only $4.50 a yard in the clearance section!! Don’t wait, you need it now! I really do think this fabric is so pretty and the huge floral print is A-MAZ-ING! This print would be so lovely in a maxi dress! I would I had more yardage for sure!

So speaking of not enough fabric for a maxi, I also didn’t really have enough for for a peplum. I am a thrifty gal, so let’s hope for the best!

As the pattern says, 2 yards is not enough…. unless you get creative! So here we go. Let’s piecing the lining fabric.

Now you have a piece large enough to cut the back bodice. 🙂 Since it is the lining, no one will even know. 🙂 SO the reason for having a lining is so that you have a clean neckline without a band. Notice in the next photo. 🙂

So here is all the pattern info 🙂

The Women’s Sydney Peplum and Dress PDF sewing pattern includes the following:

• 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
• See the last image for yardage and notions required.  This pattern requires clear elastic in the neckline.

So don’t forget the sales!

The Sydney Peplum and Dress is only $5.00, but the sale ends tonight!!!

The beautiful Jade fabric is only $4.50 until it is gone, so DO NOT WAIT!

 

 

 

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

Momma Mia needs a Vivace!

I am back with another Love Notions Vivace and this time it is for Momma Mia. She liked mine and I wanted her to have her own. Who doesn’t love comfy clothing? It is lovely enough to wear out, but comfy enough to lounge around in. I used my left over fabric from my hacked Calypso. It was still laying on my cutting table and it matched the white and gold stripes I used for my Vivace. Win-Win! Two scraps off my table! You can pick up the Hailey DBP I used from Stitchin’ Pretties with this link!

I am obviously blogging this dress without having pictures of Momma Mia wearing it. We are all aware of the global pandemic happening now… COVID-19 and she is staying in and healthy. I don’t blame her, everyone should be doing their part during this time. Today is the last day of the new release sale, so I wanted to remind you how awesome this pattern is!

I gave Momma Mia the same length option as I made for myself. She does prefer a longer sleeve, so I may hack her some sleeves at a later date! I have said so many times, the best thing about sewing clothing, is you can make exactly what you want!

• XS-5X
• Knit and woven versions
• Full Bust pattern pieces if needed
• Dolman style sleeve
• Three lengths- shirt, tunic & dress
• 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 six 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

If you would like to see my original blog post with more pics and info, just click here.

Do you love this pattern and want to pick it up while it is on sale? Here is the link.

• 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.

As always this blog contains affiliate links, which is a small commission I earn when you make a purchase from my blog links. Thank you for helping to support my sewing.

Love Notions – Vivace

Vivace is about to be your most comfortable everyday garment. As a shirt, tunic, or a dress, you can’t beat it! This is a super fast sew, but the extra wide neck band and the front pleat makes it a little fancy! Don’t worry, the wide V neck collar isn’t too tricky. The designer, Tami, even made a little video to show you how to do it.

So first up, fabric choices. I used a beautiful floral double brushed poly that I picked up from Ksews AKA The Material Girls on Facebook. I had 3 yards of this beautiful fabric. It sewed up so neatly. I adored the bright cheery colors of this one and then I added the striped contrasting fabric for the neck and sleeve bands for even more color. This stripes are cut on grain which is the opposite of the directions tell you to do, but I wanted my strips to be short instead of long. This pattern requires a knit fabric with 40% stretch and DBP has the required stretch in both directions, so it worked out fine!  You could also make your top out of a woven fabric as that pattern is included as well.

 Now let’s talk about options. 

• XS-5X
• Knit and woven versions
• Full Bust pattern pieces if needed
• Dolman style sleeve
• Three lengths- shirt, tunic & dress
• 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 six 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

I sewed up the 4x FBA graded to a 5x. I used the 5x sleeves so I wouldn’t need to do a bicep adjustment and my sleeves would still fit. These sleeves are a roomier fit which is nice. My original plan was to make the tunic length, but I had enough fabric for the dress length, so I went for it. I am happy I did, I could easily tie a knot at one side and wear this as a tunic! Double-Duty without the work! I could absolutely see sewing a few of these up, just to wear around the house as a house dress. Ultra comfy, super cozy. Totally a win-win

This dress sewed together very quickly as most Dolamn style garments, but it will take a few minutes to interface the neckband pieces..Don’t skip this step. It will make a difference in how neatly your neckband lays. 

I think this dress will make the perfect summer dress. A little fancier than the basic tshirt dress, but just and easy to make and wear. I have one cut out for Momma Mia already. Give my blog a follow and stop back in a few days to see it!

Do you love this pattern and want to pick it up while it is on sale? Here is the link.

• 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.

 As always this blog contains affiliate links, which is a small commission I earn when you make a purchase from my blog links. Thank you for helping to support my sewing.

5oo4 Calypso – Hacked

A few weeks ago, I made Momma Mia a beautiful green Calypso dress and I was a little jealous and wanted my own. I have a lot of dresses in my closet so I knew this time I wanted a tunic. The Calypso actually comes as a top or a dress which means I was going to have to make a few adjustments to get exactly what I wanted.

I printed my pattern as usual. I used the 4x FBA for the shoulders and bust then graded out to the 5x. Since I wasn’t going for the dress version I planned to not use the bottom layer. In order for my top to be a tunic, I need to lengthen the second ruffled layer. I split the pattern piece in half near the middle. I added paper to the opening  and expanded the pattern by 10 inches. This will give me an appropriate tunic length. I regraded the sides so they were even. Now it is business as usual. Cut the fabric, change serger threads and get to work.

My fabric is from Stitchin’ Pretties and it is a pretty Navy background with a mix of golds, tans, creams and white floral print. The base is double brushed poly. This fabric is called Hailey and it is currently in stock so you can order yourself some! I knew I wanted to wear this top with dark skinny jeans and felt this fabric was a perfect accompaniment.  Also it sewed up sooo nicely!

I mentioned on Momma Mia’s Calypso, I was making a video of how I quickly gathered all the layers of this tunic/dress. As promised, here it is! Be sure to give it a like and hit subscribe to keep up to date on all my videos.

So I am sure you already know that 5 out of 4 has tons of options with all their patterns. So here is the list of included awesomeness with the Calypso. I used the 3/4 length sleeves with the key hole cut out.

• Short, 3/4, or long sleeves with a cute bow detail.
• Top or Knee-length skirt length for the dress
• Sizes XXS – 5X (see the last image for yardage and size chart)

If you like my version or you like the original, here is the pattern link for you.

• 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.

 As always this blog contains affiliate links, which is a small commission I earn when you make a purchase from my blog links. Thank you for helping to support my sewing.

5oo4 – Calypso Dress for Momma Mia

Calypso may be a sea goddess in the Pirates of the Caribbean, but it is also turns out to be a pretty fantastic pattern from 5 out of 4. I didn’t test this one, I was taking some time off of my crazy testing schedule when it came out and initially it wasn’t a pattern “I had to have!” Honestly, I HATE gathering. HATE HATE HATE it! My machine doesn’t like sewing single layers of double brushed poly or any lightweight knits actually. It can be so frustrating. So I knew this dress would stress me the heck out!! Only it didn’t! Guess who mastered gathering with her serger…This Girl! Psst: I have a video coming for you.

So let’s get to talking about Calypso.

This pattern actually has a lot of pieces. Each front piece also has a back piece, plus the sleeves, sleeve binding, sleeve ties and the neckband. Even with all those piece it was worth it. This is a great pattern and Momma Mia is beyond happy with it. She tried it on and didn’t take if off the entire time I was at her house. So back to all those bodice pieces, I am rather glad they did this. The first reason is that it breaks the length that needs gathered in half. When was the last time you needed to gather a 60 inch piece of fabric?? Trust me, it would be rubbish! Impossible to make even, you’d break gathering threads, you’d cry out of frustration, maybe end up in a fetal position. It could get ugly.  I also felt that the staggered layers made it fairly easy to grade between sections of the body. Either way, I like it!

In addition to the girly silhouette of the dress, there are these epic sleeves. How pretty are the bound edges and the ties? Better than your basic sleeve, not a ton of extra work. I will be slapping these babies on some other garments! They are also giving me some hacking ideas…heck yea! I think I will make the ties slightly longer next time, as I have trouble tying neat little bows. I did knot the ends because my stitching wasn’t perfection on the tails.

The Women’s Calypso Top and Dress pattern includes the following:

• Short, 3/4, or long sleeves with a cute bow detail.
• Top or Knee-length skirt length for the dress
• Sizes XXS – 5X (see the last image for yardage and size chart)
• Check out this awesome YouTube video of our testers’ creations!

This fabric nearly caused a knock down, drag out brawl (internet version BTW) when Laura offered it up to the promo team. Nanner! Nanner! Nanner, I got it first! I knew Momma Mia would love it and I wanted her to have a new dress. She loves the color green. The pretty pops of colors of the flowers was a bonus. This print is called Trixie! Stitchinpretties has this beautiful double brushed poly fabric and it is on sale 25% off (Code is in the Facebook group) right now! Run, Don’t walk and get it into your cart. Laura will get it shipped out to you in no time flat! I live in Ohio, Stitchinpretties is way up there in Maine and my fabric arrives in 2-3 days! That is service and that is why I support small businesses!

Are you ready to sew up your next favorite dress? Here is the link for the Calypso. Your summer wardrobe thanks you!

Trixie – Double Brushed Poly.

• 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.

 As always this blog contains affiliate links, which is a small commission I earn when you make a purchase from my blog links. Thank you for helping to support my sewing.