Paris Top and Arabella Maxi

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!

The Ladies Arabella

The Ladies Paris Party Dress and Top

As always you can purchase these patterns as singles or in Mommy and Me bundles. Also don’t forget, if you buy 2 patterns you save 10%.

• You can follow my blog by clicking the Follow button on the right side of my blog.
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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!!

HOC Week 4- Sly Fox Fabrics

We have crossed the halfway point gang! I hope you are having as much fun as I am. This post is a little bit different. So last week our winner was LeighAnn!! Congrats and enjoy shopping at Bella Sunshine Designs. Now on to this week’s prize!

I reached out to Sly Fox Fabrics and begged them to sponsor a giveaway prize for this weeks House of Curves #Breakallthedamnrules series. Just kidding, I didn’t have to beg and they still went above and beyond. First off, they donated a $25 store credit to one lucky winner! That teamed up with $6.99 flat rate shipping…becomes a super amazing prize! And this is where they went “above and beyond.’ The Foxes also let me pick 6 yards of Double Brushed Poly to create my looks with!! This was beyond amazing and I quickly ordered some great prints. Then I placed an additional order as a super “Thank You for hooking me up!” So let’s get started with my first look.

Today, I am going to make some adjustments to The Dashing Dress I shared several posts ago. Mostly, I wanted to shorten the bodice so it would hit me at a more flattering spot. So as you know I have already made my dress with Charisma (Rayon Spandex) from Sly Fox Fabrics.

See where the waist and bodice meet…the largest part of my belly which draws attention to my rolls. Not my happy place. Not cute! I wouldn’t wear this in public as is.

So Step 1:

Cut off the seam between the bodice and skirt. There was so reason to pick out that serged seam and honestly my patience wouldn’t allow it. I found using sharp sewing shears was more accurate than a rotary cutter. As a side note I love my Tula Pink Shears. They match my Tula Pink Rotary cutter that Lindsey from Ellie and Mac sent me! I love them! Did I mention that? Snip Snip, they cut like butta!

Step 2:

Now you have 2 pieces again.

Step 3:

To shorten the bodice by 2.5 inches, I laid the bodice out flat being careful not to have any wrinkles and to line the edge up neatly. I used a quilting ruler to cut a long continuous cut. I used a rotary cutter for this.

Now you will reattach the bodice to skirt in the same manner as the original directions. And you get….

TA- DA So much better. 

OK now Let’s #Breakallthedamnrules with this dress! This is where my NEW Sly Fox Fabric comes into play. I used this gorgeous purple, black and ivory  Double Brushed Poly plaid to make a Sleeveless Knee Length Cardigan.

So my hunt began for a sleeveless vest as soon as I decided what I wanted to do. I asked for some pattern recommendations on Facebook and Jessica from Red Apple Sewing quickly offered to draft one just for me. In case you don’t know Red Apple Sewing is a newer pattern company that is just starting out making custom patterns. What you don’t know is, they are one of our prize sponsors for next week. 🙂

My request for Jessica was simple. Sleeveless vest, must hit at knee length and be made from knit fabric. She drafted it to my personal measurements, my personal seam allowance requests, and my fabric type and stretch percentages. Signed, Sealed, and Delivered. I kick myself for not begging for pockets also.

So why does this combo work? The dress is a very colorful and a fun wild print. The plaid is darker, with a more muted print. The purple helps to tone down the wild print. Both pieces will work well together or separate! I am so happy to have these two pieces in my closet.

Let’s Talk about the Patterns

 The Dashing Dress you can pick it up here. Currently it is 40% off along with every other pattern at Ellie and Mac.

Red Apple Sewing– This vest pattern is just in the beginning phases, but it will be available soon. Stop by and check out the other Made to Measure patterns!

Here is the link to join this weeks give away for a $25 Shop Credit from Sly Fox Fabrics!

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

 

• 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.

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!!

Reversible Dress- EAM

One Dress – Two Looks

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REVERSIBLE DRESS

As I was sewing this dress up, I was trying to coming up with reasons why I needed a reversible dress. We know I NEEDED it! I decided it would make the perfect day to night outfit. You can use bright cheery colors on one side and darker sexier colors on the other. Maybe you need it for travel. One garment in your bag, but two outfits. Lastly, I thought if you were like me and a messy eater…drip your soup at lunch…no problem. Just turn your dress inside out and you’re good to go! Ok, that was in a stretch, but it is so my life!

 

This is one side of my dress. I choose to make the mini version which is a actually a knee length. The midi version is several inches longer. I chose to color block my front bodice here.

The hot pink fabric is DBP from Sly Fox Fabrics and the floral print is from Sew Blessed Fabrics.

On the flip side…

 

I have to confess that this is a mistake. My skirt is attached incorrectly. It should have been split with black in the front or back and the blue as the opposite. It works out well though and it just looks colorblocked. This blue BP is also from Sly Fox and the watercolor looking print is from… gasp….Joann’s. I picked it up last Black Friday.

Ok Let’s talk pattern features…

Solid and color block options

Mini and midi length options

Reversible

Excellent twirl factor

No trim pattern pages for quick assembly

Layers printing feature is included for this pattern for your convenience

Sizes XXS-4X. I sewed the 4X.

The Women’s Reversible Dress is available here. It is currently on sale for $3.85.

While at Ellie and Mac check out all the other patterns which are also only sale for 25% off.

• 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.

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!!