Ellie and Mac Southshore Romper

Hello! I am sharing my Ellie and Mac South Shore romper today. My friend Hannah bought this pattern and I thought it looked like such a cute, comfy garment to wear in the summer. I made it with that Robert Kaufman cotton jersey knit I shared a few posts back. I made sure to finish it before our trip down to Cape May, New Jersey. It was the perfect thing to wear shopping around this beach town, then out to dinner!

This pattern has a few variations but I stuck to the short sleeve option with the shorts. I graded this pattern out to a larger size for the waist and shorts. I’m happy with the fit but I could probably make the top a little bigger next time.

It was a quick sew and I definitely see myself wearing it a bunch this summer. Also, how cute is this flower stand we found while we were walking around? I had to get a little bouquet!

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Minerva Crafts Blogger Network- 6446 Jumpsuit

Hello! I just wanted to share that I have a new post on the Minerva Crafts blog. You can read all about this New Look 6446 jumpsuit in Lady McElroy fabric here!

Sew Over It Bonnie Blouse!

Hello! I am so excited to share the newest pattern from Sew Over It! It’s the Bonnie blouse or dress. Bonnie has a 1940’s style feel complete with collar, hidden button placket, short sleeves with cuff, waistband and optional pleats. I really love this blouse. It has so many special details and unlike anything I already have.

The fabric I used is a peachy pink rayon by Figo fabrics. I saw it in a local shop and knew instantly it would be perfect for this blouse! I didn’t want a print that was too big because I worried it would be cut off weird with the pleats. Light weight fabrics like rayon or chiffon are recommended for this pattern.

I have to say that this blouse took a good amount of time to make and was one of the more complex garments I’ve sewn. I definitely do not recommend it to beginner sewists. There’s a lot of techniques in here and combine it with a slippery fabric… not the easiest! The non pleated bodice might be a better place to start if you are worried! It’s a great pattern for trying out some new skills, though. This was my first time sewing a hidden button placket. I admit I got a little frustrated starting out but it came together. With this pattern, make sure you mark all you notches and trace all the fold and stitch lines for the pleats. I think marking the fold and the stitch lines in two different colors would be very helpful. I had to keep referencing the pattern piece to make sure I wasn’t getting mixed up!

I made the size 8. I am pretty happy with the fit. I think it could be sized down a little but I honestly wasn’t sure where to begin (the pattern piece for the front bodice is the funniest looking pattern piece!) I really don’t mind it, though especially since this fabric has a nice drape.

I wish I had more bottoms to pair with it. I styled it with two different shorts for these photos. I had extra fabric so I whipped up a pair of matching shorts. I really need more solid midi skirts in my wardrobe. They are so easy to sew and wouldn’t take long to make but I never seem to buy the fabric. Definitely going to add that to my sewing list so I can get more wear out of this blouse!

I think Bonnie is a fantastic pattern and I absolutely plan to make another one day. What do you think? Will you make a Bonnie?

Minerva Crafts Blogger Network- No 8 Set

I made a gingham No 8 Svaneke set from How to Do Fashion for my most recent Minerva Crafts Blogger post. You can read all about it here!

Violette Field Threads Tinsley Dress

I LOVE this dress! When I saw the Tinsley dress by Violette Field Threads, I immediately purchased it. The Tinsley is a button front dress with sleeveless, short or flutter sleeve options, as well as 3 different lengths and 2 pocket options. I made mine with the flutter sleeve, knee and tie pocket. The dress style is so cute and I love how you can customize it.  This is the second pattern I have made from Violette Field Threads. I discovered them in my local Joanns years ago. I bought and made a Piper dress. I also recently purchased the Amelia Top but haven’t had a chance to make it yet.

I’m so happy with the fit. I graded the pattern, making the waist a size larger that the bust and it worked beautifully. The bodice is fully lined which I like. I prefer linings instead of facings.

I never sewed pockets like these before. The pattern pieces look like bunny ears to me! The pockets are supposed to be fully lined but I didn’t have enough fabric and didn’t want to use a contrasting fabric. I managed to cut out the top portion of the pocket (The “ears and about an 1” under)  to line with and it worked great! I just serged the bottom edge of the lining so it’s not raw.

The fabric is from A Beautiful Mess’s fabric line that I purchased from Fabric.com. The whole line of cottons is amazing but I immediately knew I had to get one of these floral fabrics. It comes in three different color ways and I had a hard time choosing. I ultimately went with this green with pops of pink and yellow. I am tempted to get the yellow color way too, though! I don’t love making garments with quilting weight cottons but the quality is really nice and I think it worked perfectly with this pattern. I had a hard time to deciding on buttons. I came across these pink buttons at a local shop but they didn’t have enough of the larger size so I bought a slighter smaller version for the bodice. I think it worked fine and it’s hardly even noticeable.

This is such a happy, summery dress and I will be wearing it a bunch this summer!

Tilly and the Buttons Romy & Jessa

Tilly and the Buttons recently released 2 new patterns! Romy– a envelope neck knit top or dress with optional back ties and different sleeve lengths. And Jessa– high waisted shorts or flared leg pants with zip fly and tab closure and pocket or pocket flap options.

First, I’ll talk about my Romy! I bought this dreamy Robert Kaufman knit from LA Finch Fabrics. (I think it’s sold out but I found some here) I love it so much I managed to squeeze this top and another garment (coming soon!) out of it. I also found it in two other color ways on other sites and I’m so tempted to get some! I made the short sleeve version and didn’t add the ties because I didn’t have enough fabric. I think it’s a really cute tee that I’ll get lots of wear out of. Something to note- that I’ve heard from lots of other people- is this pattern runs a little large so definitely keep that in mind. The design is supposed to be looser fitting but you might find your regular size is too big. I fall between sizes. I sized down and I’m happy with the fit. I definitely recommend trying it on as you go so you can sew it smaller if needed. I have fabric on the way to make the long sleeve dress with the back ties.

I opted to make the shorts for my first attempt at the Jessa pattern. I really needed denim shorts so this was perfect timing! I used some medium weight denim I found at Joann’s. I decided to do the two patch pockets on the front for some seventies vibes. I also decided to try something different and do the fun tulip flower topstitching on the pocket. I love it so much. I’m kicking myself because my old machine had so many decorative stitches and I never used any! The shorts pattern also includes cuffs but I just hemmed mine.

As far as fit, I cut my size according to the chart but they seemed really large when I was making them. I’m so glad I tried them on before attaching the waistband. I was able to easily take them in on the sides and center back, as well as make the waistband smaller. I’m pretty pleased with how they turned out.

I’m hoping to try the pants version in the fall.

Both of these garments are going to be on regular rotation this summer! Are you planning on trying either of these patterns?

(Patterns were gifted by the TATB team)

Itch to Stitch Zamora Blouse

Hello! I just wanted to share that I made a Zamora Blouse from Itch to Stitch and styled it three ways. I am so in love with this colorful blouse. You can read all about it and see my three looks over on the Itch to Stitch blog.

Restyling Exchange Reveal!

I’m so excited to finally share this! My friend Jess asked me to be her partner for the #restylingexchange2019. I’ve never done anything like this but I was up to the challenge. Basically, we sent each other garments from our wardrobes that we didn’t wear anymore and restyled them into something new for each other. I sent her a 3/4 sleeve Liberty print top from Jcrew that I thrifted. I loved the fabric but I wasn’t crazy about the style. She made it into tank maxi dress. I’m so blown away by it. It’s seriously a work of art. It looks like something you’d see in Anthropologie. Jess used another fabric as a bias binding on the top/ tie straps and used another fabric for the skirt. There’s an added elastic waist and a slit in the back so it’s comfy to wear. She also added beautiful ruffles along the skirt.

 

 

She also made me this adorable bowl out of the fabric scraps!

Here we are together! Couldn’t resist a silly photo. Below is what I made for Jess.  She sent me a beautiful blouse that she made and a knit top from Anthropologie. I felt terrible cutting into her blouse because I could tell how much work went into it. But she didn’t wear it and the hems on the pleats started to fray. I knew I wanted to reuse those pleated parts though. They were so pretty and I can only imagine how much time went into them. I trimmed them off and cleaned up the hems with some scissors and restitched them. I cut the knit top into short sleeves and added the ruffles there. I also used the sleeves of the blouse to make panels on the sides. Jess was really happy with it and I’m so glad!

 

This was such a fun experience. I would absolutely do this again.

Simply Sewing Evelyn Dress

For the last five years, Michael and I have wanted to go to a WWII air show in Reading, PA. Every year we forget about it or have plans. We made sure to finally go this year! I knew I wanted to dress up in 40’s style clothing. Of course I totally forgot about my 1940s overalls I made and a vintage blouse I have. But that’s okay because I sewed an Evelyn dress from Simply Sewing Magazine! Originally I was going to make a romper from a vintage pattern.  It needed to be graded down but the pattern did not have any markings on it, though. I’m sure I could have figured it out but I didn’t have a lot of time and realized I had this pattern.

I used a 1930s reproduction cotton print I bought off the clearance rack at Joann’s. I really love the colors in it. I used buttons from the Simplicity vintage line and wore an old bow belt I had. I quickly made a headband the morning of with a scrap of fabric to put in my hair. I ended up getting my hair done in victory rolls when I got there so I took the scarf off.

This dress was fairly quick to make. I really like the elastic waist because it’s so comfy and didn’t require fitting. I would definitely make this dress again but in something with more drape. Maybe a rayon. I also would consider raising the neckline a little and using the rounded collar option for a different feel.

This is the second Simply Sewing Magazine Pattern I’ve used recently (also made the Eden Set) and I’m so happy. I have my eye on the newest dress in Issue 57. Unfortunately I let my subscription lapse so I’ll be missing out on that issue. I’ll be impatiently checking Barnes and Noble or Joann’s for it! Have you made any patterns from Simply Sewing?

By Hand London Jenna Dress

By Hand London recently released a new pattern- the Jenna dress! I was instantly drawn to the 90’s vibes of this dress. Jenna has two versions- a square neck and short sleeves with sleeve ties like what I made or a higher neck with a peterpan collar and bracelet length sleeves. They both feature a lined bodice and bias cut skirt (two different length options) , and of course can be mixed and matched for a variety of combinations. This was my first time making one of their patterns. I have the Sarah top but haven’t gotten to it yet!

I found a textured cotton at Joanns. I couldn’t resist the peachy pink color or the daisy print! I wasn’t sure what to make with it at first but the next day a lightbulb went off and I realized it needed to become a Jenna! Luckily I had bought just enough. I used a white cotton I had on hand to line the bodice. Unfortunately this fabric stretched a little while sewing because of the texture. I wasn’t expecting any issues so I wasn’t prepared! I switched out to my walking foot after several seams and it helped.

I really wanted to bring this on my vacation so I stitched it up pretty quickly. I should know better than to rush, though. I didn’t let the skirt hang for 24 hours and since it’s cut on the bias, the zipper ended up pulling weird after the skirt set. I definitely have plans to resew the bottom half of the zipper and possibly shorten the zipper a little, too.

As far as fit goes, I have to say the bodice is a little large but definitely wearable. Next time I make this, I will definitely grade down the bust and maybe take it in a little at the top of the center back. Despite it’s flaws, I really do love this dress and definitely hope to make another. I think the peter pan collar version would be so wonderful in the fall. Maybe since I am going to fix the zipper, I will try to alter the fit of the bodice while I’m at it.

And I have to mention the peonies! We took these photos in a local peony garden. I went early in the season last year but this year we happened to catch them at full bloom and it was beautiful!