La Bella Donna meets the Foxes

Welcome back Sly Fox Fabrics! In case you didn’t know, Sly Fox Fabrics has moved from Ohio to Georgia! Katy and Mary Beth (the original foxes) were ready to retire (Mary Beth) and Rebecca Page (Pattern Designer) wasn’t ready to let them go. I know, I know. Rebecca Page is in the UK, so why does she need US based fabrics?!?! Well Sly Fox Fabrics is awesome and there are loads of US based sewists! Stephanie AKA The Sarcastic Sewist AKA The New Fox is in Georgia and is taking over the duties! I know it sounds like a whole lotta crazy, but this fabric is worth it. So please keep reading…

I was lucky enough to land one of the first promo spots after reopening! The minute I saw this fabric offered up, I was all over it. It is adorable and I needed it. I loved these soft colors and small floral design and I was thrilled when I was picked to debut it!

I knew right away I was going to make a La Bella Donna. I have sewn up a few of them lately and I love them! Bonus points because the pattern was still in my sewing room and easily accessible. I knew this fabric would be really pretty with the Dolman style sleeves and the slightly rounded hem. #Nailedit I loved the finished product. I even decided to fix my hair and wear makeup. 🙂 Must be a really great shirt! I have some serious heart eyes looking at Love Notions!

I made the tunic length with the included FBA. 4x graded to 5x with a 1.5 inch full bicep adjustment as usual. I added a little extra swing to my tunic by cutting the neckline and arm and then kicking the bottom of my pattern out about 1.5 inches and continuing with cutting. One other change I made was cutting the back neckline a little lower than usual by using the front neckline for both. This is how I cut. Fold fabric selvage to selvage. Now fold the fabric in half along the length. This was almost the exact length of my pattern! I started with a 2 yard cut. I also used a length of fold over elastic for the neckline. I had this perfectly matching piece of blue left over my my underwear making session last week and it was the perfect length plus 1 inch.  This made me happy as I didn’t know what I was going to use it for.

The La Bella Donna pattern options

Ladies sizes XS-5X

• Shirt length with shirt tail hem
• Shirt length with banded hem
• Tunic length with pocket option
• Full bust option for both views
• 3 sleeve options: short, 3/4 & long cuffed
• Hood & cowl options

So fabric deets! This print is called California Bluebells in Pinks. It is on a pale blueish greenish minty background and has the prettiest pops of colors. This is a double brushed poly, but it only has horizontal stretch. The vertical stretch is limited. I had no idea this was a thing, but no worries. It is still FABULOUS.

Let’s go over the details one more time…

Great Fabric…. Available here.

Great Pattern….Available here.

This is me….taking pics….while my neighbors are watching from their front porch…

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Coraline Cami & Primrose Panties

Bella Sunshine Designs is back!! Actually, they have always been here, Melissa was just busying growing a baby and building her dream home! This a double pattern release week and perfect for Valentine’s Day!! I know a lot of PDF companies right now are enticing us with super skimpy sexy patterns, but I am all about being comfortable 365 days a year! My requirements are fairly simple. I need my lady bits covered and everything in its place. So Bella Sunshine Designs gave us these great patterns.

The Coraline Cami and the Primrose Panty.

First, we will talk about the Coraline Cami. I don’t like camis. I rarely wear camis. I hate when my bra strap shows and my top stitching always looks messy. So I don’t make them. I said this exact same thing when the tester call came out, and Danielle said to me, “Practice makes perfect.” So I made a cami. I like the cami. I tucked my bra straps in my bra. My top stitching looks neat. Not too shabby…. if I say so myself.

I choose to make a tunic length top, which is perfect for running around the house in. I think it would also work well with a cardigan over leggings. I like when my clothes can be wore more than one way!

This pattern comes in sizes from Doll to Ladies 30 with an optional FBA. I love that BSD includes that and saves me the trouble of doing it myself.

This was my first time using fold over elastic and it honestly was much easier and neater to sew than bands. I have ordered several colors now and can’t wait to use them up!

Here is the link to the Coraline Cami.

Price
¯¯¯¯
•Ladies –
Release Sale Price $6.50
Regular Price $9.00

•Bundle (Ladies and Girls) –
Release Sale Price $11.50
Regular Price $15.00

In addition to the Coraline Cami, BSD released The Primrose Panty –

I have dreaded making panties for as long as I have been sewing. I think it mostly because I sew with a lot of synthetic fabrics and those aren’t the best for panties. I rarely have cotton lycra on hand and it is typically a little more expensive, but it is idea for sewing the guesset AKA the crotch area. I was able to score some great deals on CL from Ksews. Which is also where I picked up this pineapple print. The pineapple fabric is a jersey blend which is actually quiet comfy and has decent recovery. I have wore both the cami and the panties several times without issue.

I love that the Primrose comes with 2 rise options as well as 2 options for the cut at the leg. I choose the higher option for both of these. You can also choose to make bands instead of using the Fold Over Elastic, but I wanted my set to match so I went with the FOE. Another great thing about these panties are all the seams are hidden and they come together quickly and neatly!

Here is the link to the Primrose Panties

Price
¯¯¯¯
•Ladies –
Release Sale Price $6.50
Regular Price $9.00

•Bundle (Ladies and Girls) –
Release Sale Price $11.50
Regular Price $15.00