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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A Love Notions Mash Up – Tessa and Sybil

I am back with another Love Notions Dress and a mash up to boot! So I sewed up Momma Mia’s first Tessa dress a month or so ago and she loved it! Actually I loved it too, but sadly it hasn’t been on the Love Notions size upgrade list yet so I will keep sewing them for Momma Mia. Last time, my promo fabric from Stitchin’ Pretties came with a note saying it would love to become a beautiful dress. So I made the fabric’s dreams come true and it became a Tessa Sheath Dress! This time I received this pretty red floral double brushed poly fabric without a note, but it was screaming at me to make it a dress.
I have a confession to make, when I order fabric, I usually don’t have a plan in mind. My second confession, I told Laura at Stitchin’ Pretties to “just send me something.” I trust her and her product. She doesn’t let me down! When this fabric arrived on my door step, I knew that it would be a dress. I typically feel that fabric with larger open spaces of background does well as dresses. Compared to a tank top, there wouldn’t be as much room to show off a great print! I love print, busy prints! Momma Mia isn’t quiet as flashy as I am in the print department. I knew I was making her a dress with this fabric! I decided on another Tessa, but with a twist. In case you do not know, you can mash the Tessa Bodice with all the skirts from Sybil. I used the Aline skirt from Sybil. This will give her dress a little bit of flirty flare, but not full on twirl factor! Also I only had 2 yards of fabric to work with. Speaking on the 2 yards, since the back bodice is “Cut as mirror image” you can use less fabric than if you had to “Cut on the Fold.”
*You can use this tip for any top pattern. If you don’t have enough fabric to cut a front and back bodice on the fold, you may be able to use the mirror image cutting technique. Just remember to add seam allowances if you adjust from cut on the fold to mirror image or your neckband won’t fit properly.

Tessa #2 with the Sybil skirt portion.

Tessa #1 with Tessa skirt portion.

You may have noticed that I colorblocked this Tessa with the fantastic Royal Blue. I have a bunch of smaller usable scraps from a few months ago, plus still some yardage tucked away. I have SO MUCH LOVE for this color! So at first glance, I was torn as to whether this royal blue was too bold for the red print. Typically, I encourage folks to “mind the tones” of your colors. For example, the royal blue is a jewel tone and the red isn’t. I posted a side by side picture in the group and asked if it works, yea or no. I got both responses, so that wasn’t at all helpful. In the end, my mind was made up and I made the first cut. Speed work for about an hour and TA-DA! Momma has a new dress. I put the finished dress on the dress form which has basically taken up residence in my living room window. I LOVED it! Like really loved it. I left it there for 3 days! When I delivered it, Momma Mia loved it too. She just happened to have perfectly matching shoes and a purse to add to her photo session! She is too much some days! Side note, I delivered this dress Monday evening. When I saw her on Tuesday, she was wearing it. She had been grocery shopping in it! 🙂 You go Momma! I am glad she is always willing to wear the clothes I make her. She makes this daughter proud!

This red floral print is called Felicia and I knew Momma Mia was going to LOVE it! This fabric was easy to sew and it drapes nicely. I did notice a little bit of wrinkling after I had thrown it in a bag to take it to Momma Mia, but a quick tumble in the dryer fixed it right up! This fabric has a nice weight to it also. As usual, Laura ships within a day and runs great sales and has really awesome fabric. Honestly, if you don’t know about Stitchin‘ Pretties, you are missing out.

I used the same boat neck line as the first Tessa, color blocked at the yoke and 3/4 sleeves. The above photo really shows the width difference in the skirt compared to the Sheath Style of the original Tessa. I love the that all 7 of the Sybil skirts fit with the Tessa. Maybe Momma Mia will end up with the entire collection. 🙂 I don’t think she would mind.

Blowing in the breeze!

Love Notions Patterns

Tessa Dress

**The dress features a bateau or scoop neckline, optional yoke detail and five sleeve lengths: sleeveless, short, elbow, 3/4 and long. Two hem lengths are also included- above knee and shin. Bonus- the bodice part of the pattern can also be easily mashed with the Sybil Skirt Collection.

Sybil Skirts

**Meant for knit fabrics, the Sybil comes with seven variations: pencil, a-line, swing, drop yoke with swing, gored, asymmetrical wrap and pleated. All versions, with the exception of the drop yoke, also have knee and midi length options as well as inseam pockets. All skirt waistbands can include the optional hidden control panel or a yoga-style waistband, no closures needed.

Before you leave my blog, did you check out The Fitting Experiment from 2 days ago? Did you leave a comment for a chance to win a pretty Love Notions Sabrina Slims pattern?

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 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.

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!

Luna Twirl Skirt

If your bank account is looking a little thin after all the holiday shopping, I have a great deal for you! FREE!! Totally FREE! In addition, to the Luna Circle skirt being free it is also a super fast sew! Like start to finish in an hour or so. I made this skirt for the first time a few months ago with the Mambo collection release and then I hacked it as an add on to another pattern I will share very soon with you.

Today, I am sharing my latest Luna, which was a Christmas gift for Momma Mia. Momma Mia likes skirts and loves to wear clothes that don’t look like any of her friends. I can understand that, I feel the exact same way. My biggest nightmare would be showing up somewhere and someone is wearing the same shirt as me…no thanks! She also recently mentioned, she likes showing up wearing a new garment when she sees them. Ok, Momma, hint taken!

The included options:

• 2 lengths – “mini” (mid-thigh) and knee length
• Fabric waistband that can be made with or without elastic.
• Option for exposed elastic waistband
• 3 cutting options – double fold, single fold (give two side seams), single layer (perfect for colorblocking!)
• Finishing options – hem, bias tape, or FOE
• sizes XXS-5X

I chose the knee length hemmed version again and it fits perfectly on the 2 yard cut of fabric. This Liverpool floral print was picked up at Zink’s in Berlin with the intention of the Luna Skirt. I used the fold over waistband and slid an elastic through to help hold it in place. I love how Liverpool fabric has enough structure to create the perfect twirl effect! While taking these photos, the wind kept catching the fabric and creating a lovely look. I am sad my pictures had the weird shadow, lesson learned…Camera is still fairly new and I am still learning so bear with me.

I couldn’t sew Momma Mia this pretty floral skirt without a matching shirt, especially when she has been asking for solid tops. This is the Jessie top and Momma Mia’s favorite. You have seen it many times here so I won’t talk you to death about it. This is the tunic length so she can also wear it was jeans or leggings. I love versatile clothing.  This fabric is double brushed poly from my stash. I am pretty sure it came from Sly Fox Fabrics.

Merry Christmas Momma Mia, I hope you love it!

You can download the Luna pattern here

You can purchase the Jessie top/Dress here.

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 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.

A little Bit of Rita is all I need…

Mambo No. 5 out of 4 style is back and today is RITA!

Rita was the first skirt in the Mambo Collection that I was able to sew up! Pencil skirts are hard for my shape and I had high hopes that Rachelle was going to get my fit right! If this happens to be your first time finding my blog, you may not know that I complain endlessly about my  lack of hips and booty and that my stomach has been my fit nemesis forever. My body makes zero hints at having an hourglass shape! These issues tend to make pencil skirts fit oddly, but it worked out in the end. Upon printing my pattern, I knew there was a bit more “hip curve” drafted into the pattern than I would need. My “hip curve” is straight.  I sewed up the skirt as is. As I expected, this pattern had a little extra fabric which was very easy to ‘pinch out’ to get a perfect fit. I am happy to report that by simply smoothing the curve of the hip, my fit is great! I love the fit and look of Rita. I love that it isn’t body con fitted, and that there is an optional walking vent.

Options for Rita

The Women’s Rita Fitted Skirt pattern includes the following:

• Three Hem Lengths: Mini, Knee and Midi
• Solid or Seamed Color Block Skirt (solid version has an optional back seam)
• Three Waistbands: Seamed, Encased Elastic, Basic Knit
• Tutorial includes an extensive Skirt Fitting Guide to get your best fit!
• Women’s Sizes XXS-5XL (see the last image for yardage and size chart)

 

Rita comes with 3 length options and I choose to make the knee length with the walking vent. I suggest that if making either the knee or midi length skirts, you add the walking vent. Otherwise, you will have trouble walking…think penguin shuffling down the sidewalk.  I choose to do the basic elastic encased waist band for Rita. My fabric is a semi structured knit with a texture similar to Liverpool, but not exactly. It also has less stretch. It is slightly slippery and a mid weight. I am pretty sure it either came from a yard sale or a give away table. I love the pretty pops of purple in these tulips!

Speaking up those “pretty pops of purple,” I did not have a single solid purple shirt in my stash. Actually, I have very few solid colored garments at all in my closet. I decided to sew up an Easy Tee top just to wear with my new Pencil skirt!

I have made the Easy Tee several times. I always sew a 4X bust graded to a 5x waist and hip. This time I did a FBA as I didn’t want my fit to be too snug. I also did a 1 inch bicep adjustment on the sleeves. I don’t feel super confident wearing solid colors. I feel like it draws attention to my curvier parts. I opted to make the tunic length top with a curved hem. My sleeves are a little closer to 3/4 length which I did specifically because it is fall here and it will be cold soon.

If you are familiar with the Easy Tee pattern,  you will know that it doesn’t come with a center back seam. I had to add one in because I was short on fabric! I had used this pretty Double Brushed Poly for another 5oo4 top, Rosanna, so it was shy of the 2 yards I needed. By adding a center back seam, I was able to use 2 larger pieces of fabric that would have been added to my scrap pile. Just cut them as a mirrored set. I was careful to cut the front bodice first so I wouldn’t need to have a seam here. Before cutting my back bodice pieces, I added a 1/4 inch seam allowance. I chose this amount because I planned to serge the two back bodices together at the center back seam and pretend it was actually one bodice piece. If I had changed the bodice width, I would have needed to also slightly adjust the neckband. Once the bodice halves became one whole, I continued with assembly as usual! This tunic sews up quickly and easily. I am happy with my Easy Tee and the way it looks with my new Rita Skirt! It will looks awesome with jeans as well!

If you want to pick up Rita here is your link!  $7.95 on sale!

If you want to bundle and save, here is your link! Only $25 bucks for the entire collection!

If you love the Easy Tee, here is your link!

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

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Sally Skirt – 5oo4 Basics Line

~~~Another Basics Line pattern~~~

A few weeks ago, I was part of testing the Sally Skirt from 5 out of 4. Somehow in the chaos of my life, I forgot to write up my  blog post and share. So here I am, sharing both skirts I made! Today is a two for one day! Both Momma Mia and I got new skirts!

The Sally skirt is a seriously fast sew! You can use knit or woven fabric for the skirt. It comes with a yoga style waistband and an optional knotted band as well. The pattern includes large pocket because…well, pockets are life! I made both of these skirts at knee length, but the pattern comes in maxi length also. As always, 5 out of 4 comes with inclusive sizing up to 5x.

First up, I sewed myself a skirt. I made the 5x skirt. I choose the knee length skirt this time which is unusual for me! I was feeling brave this day. I also was thinking the knee length would be super cute with my brown boots this fall!

I chose this fabric because it looks like fall. The colors are a little rustic looking, but the hints of blue warm it up a bit. This print is a double brushed poly that I got from Sew Blessed Fabrics.

Momma Mia also got a skirt too! I tried out a knot waistband for her because I hadn’t made one yet and it was a fun option. It sewed fairly easily even as my first time. If you are nervous about it, don’t worry… 5oo4 Sewing School has a video!   Laura always does a great job explaining and showing how to do things! She also got pockets!

This awesome swim fabric came from Stitchin’ Pretties. Yep, you read that right! I used swim fabric for this skirt! Swim sews up so neatly and quickly. It even has a nice weight for a skirt. The neon green polka dot print is super fun especially since Momma Mia likes neon and green is her favorite color. I was able to make her skirt from a 1 yard cut I had originally ordered for making under roos! I changed my mind when this skirt pattern went into testing! Now I need to make her a neon green top to wear with her new Sally!

Since this pattern is part of the basics line it includes line drawings, photos and videos where needed. It is intended to be a great starter project, but also a great base for making things your own. I can see adding a wider flare, adding a ruffle, or even a lacey trim to this pattern very easily to change the look. Even a high low hem would be a fun hack and easy to achieve. Jessica shared on the 5oo4 blog, how to turn it into a skort, which I plan to try as I wear shorts under all my skirts anyhow!

If you wan to add Sally to your closet here are the links!

Women’s Pattern

Kid’s Pattern

or

Bundle and Save Pattern

As always I thank you for using my affiliate links. If you purchase this pattern using my link, I will receive a small thank you commission from the designer. This helps me to purchase sewing supplies and keep my blog going. Thank you.

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

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Momma Mia is all 5oo4

Just sharing a new outfit I made Momma Mia. A few weeks ago she was heading south and knew it was going to be super hot! She wanted a couple of tank tops to keep her cool and a new pair of comfy pants to wear on the trip! Digging into her fabric stash, I keep it with mine, I found this pretty pink plaid and floral combo. We had ordered in late last year and only one yard. I knew it would be prefect for her new top!

This tank is Virginia, I know that it is shocking to my readers, but it really is my favorite tank top! I have a secret though, something new is coming to the mix really soon! This time I added 2 inches to the overall length to provide the coverage she wants! She is wearing an XL graded to XXL. This is the higher neckline option and this double brushed poly is from Sly Fox Fabrics. This pattern sews so easily and quickly! I really to love it. I can’t stress it enough. If you don’t have it in your 5oo4 library, why the heck not?

 Did you realize this Tank top with optional built-in bra pattern also has an included skirt?!

• Separate full bust adjustment (FBA) pattern pieces for the tank and bra
• Knee length or Maxi length skirt
• Skirt can be made from woven or knit fabric
• Tank top has two neckline options in the front and two neckline options in the back
• Dress can be made with knit waistband or elastic casing
• Maternity option
• Pockets!
• Sizes XXS-5XL
• Matching girls’ option! Check out the Girls’ Virginia Tank & Maxi and get 10% off when you buy both patterns at once!

Today is the last day of the 30% off Summer Sale at 5 out of 4 patterns!!

When my hair is wind blown, it stands straight up! Why can’t I have this look?

Time for the pants! For these pants I used the Molly PJs as a base. Since I made them back in the late fall, I knew how they fit and she knew what she wanted to adjust so they were a little less “Pajama” like. First, we slimmed down the legs to a small from a medium waist. I also used the cut line for the size small for the front crotch curve to reduce a little bit of fabric excess there. I used the elastic waist option here and I removed several inches of length as well. Not to self: A little too much. In fitting pants, Momma Mia wants them high rise and not too tight on her belly. When you make your own clothing (or your daughter makes them :)) you can get exactly what you want.

Here are the pattern options that come with Molly PJ set! Yes there is also a shirt!

The Molly Women’s Pajama Set PDF sewing pattern includes the following:

• Short or Long Sleeve Top lengths
• Optional Long Sleeve Cuffs
• Shorts or Pants Lengths
• Knit Waistband or Elastic Waistband
• Optional Pants Cuffs
• Optional Bum Panel to show off your creativeness

Don’t forget!!! This is the LAST DAY for 30% off at 5 out of 4 patterns!!!

The solid DBP is also from Sly Fox Fabrics and it is called slate.

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

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This blog contains affiliate links. This doesn’t change any pricing for you, it allows me to receive a small commission on any patterns you may purchase. Thank you.

Peggy Pencil Skirt

Peggy Pencil Skirt and how to style it.

So I made this skirt last month, took photos, and hated them. Before taking the photos, I really did struggle with how to wear the two things together. The shirt I was wearing didn’t flatter my skirt at all. The proportion was wrong. My skirt was long, my shirt was long. I tried to tie it to one side, but there wasn’t enough fabric. I tried to fake tuck it by folding it up, but it looked bad.  A pencil skirt really isn’t overly flattering on my body. I have odd shape for a plus size gal. I have zero hip curve and zero booty. I am round especially from the side view. I am described very much an apple shape.

According the Wiki, if you have an apple–shaped body, then your body is “top heavy,” meaning you have a wide torso, broad shoulders, and a full bust, waist, and upper back. Apple–shaped bodied women also tend to have thinner arms, legs, and hips, and tend to gain weight at their waistlines.

This sounds pretty accurate, except I also have large arms. Hence the Full Bicep Adjustment I am always harping about.

Pencil skirts can be a little tricky to wear as an apple shape. I strongly feel that curvy hips make pencil skirts look way better. Also being a little taller helps, which I am not. At 5’1, wearing shoes, I am no where near being considered tall, but it is ok. I feel that sometimes you just have to do with it.

So I ended up styling my pencil skirt with a tank top. By exposing my arms, this already feels way less stuffy. Here are two photos side by side. I am wearing the same skirt obviously, but with different styles of top. You will notice the blue top makes me look very rectangular. This isn’t a very good look for most people and definitely not the look I want. The pink tank top exposes my shoulders and arms and is also shorter in length. The shorter length helps to break my body up into proportions. Overall, the look of the tank top and pencil skirt appeals to me more. The lower neckline of the pink tank, draws attention upward, hopefully making me appear taller. Also notice where the skirt is hitting lengthwise in both photos. The blue top outfit, the skirt is landing at the widest part of my calves while in the pink top, I have hiked my skirt up a bit, exposing more leg. Again, creating the illusion of being taller. I think that also with the shorter tank top, I could also wear a longer cardigan because the tank top would still create a line of proportion and give my outfit balance.

So now that we have talked about how to wear a pencil shirt if you have an apple shape, let’s talk about this pattern. This is the Peggy Pencil Skirt from Rebecca Page. As always the size range is up to 5x. I am wearing 3x in a Liverpool fabric. There are two fit options for this skirt. I made the regular pencil skirt, but there is also a body con fit. I also made the back vent for easy when walking. There are 3 length options and I made the knee length version, not height adjusted.

So if you love the Peggy Pencil Skirt, you can pick up the pattern here.

or

If you love all skirts, you can pick up the entire bundle of amazingness, by clicking here!

The Skirt Bundle includes all of these lovelies! I linked the ones I Have made for you. If you pick up the bundle you save 43%!!!

Hayley

Arabella

Stevie

Peggy- This post 🙂
Paige- I haven’t made this one yet!

So let me know what you think of the Peggy Pencil skirt and be sure to tag me when you sew up your very own!

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Virginia’s Back, Back Again

I believe this is the 6th time I have used this pattern! If something is this good, you should use it a lot. As I am writing this post, I am wearing this Virginia tank. I truly love 5oo4 patterns and have enjoyed sewing up so many of them in recent months.

When I practically begged (I was prepared to arm wrestle for it) for this cactus print in the promo group, I knew I had to make a maxi length dress. I had high hopes of taking my photos in the cactus house at Kingwood Center. Sadly, they don’t open until April 1st so that didn’t happen. I do plan to go back and take pictures there especially now that Momma Mia has requested a matching outfit. I think I have sold her on this matching outfit thing. 🙂 I ordered her fabric this morning while it is on sale for 15% off. 

Again, I am loving the navy blue in the background of this print. It really makes the lighter greens and white pop in the little cacti. This fabric is double brushed poly. I love double brushed poly and sew everything from dresses to leggings from it. DBP washes well, dries quickly and doesn’t wrinkle. Amelia Lane Designs ships quickly and sometimes includes hand written notes. 🙂

The only adjustments I made to this pattern was adding a backseam to the back of the tank because I wanted to make the most of this fabric and since it is directional it is sometimes harder to Jenga the pattern pieces together. I also added 3 inches to the length of the tank. I also shortened the skirt about 5 inches.

All the options 🙂

• Tank top with optional built-in bra
• Separate full bust adjustment (FBA) pattern pieces for the tank and bra
• Knee length or Maxi length skirt
• Skirt can be made from woven or knit fabric
• Tank top has two neckline options in the front and two neckline options in the back
• Dress can be made with knit waistband or elastic casing
• Maternity option
• Pockets!
• Sizes XXS-5XL
• Matching girls’ option! Check out the Girls’ Virginia Tank & Maxi and get 10% off when you buy both patterns at once!

The cool thing about this pattern is you can make a dress or you can make a tank and skirt. I made a tank and a skirt. I think I will get much more wear out of the tank than the dress. Life doesn’t give me loads of days to wear dresses. 🙂

Do you still need this pattern?

Here is the link to the Women’s pattern.

Here is the link to the Girl’s pattern.

 

And here is the fabric link. Don’t forget the 15% off sale that ends tomorrow night. 🙂

Amelia Lane Designs