Tulips

Hi again! I have not been great about blogging this past year, have I? I’m here to share my visit to the tulip fields. I wore 3 new me made items on this day! I wore a Seamwork Audrey denim jacket in Cone Mills stretch denim from Melanated fabrics. I also wore a Nina Lee Kew dress in Rifle Paper Co Strawberry Fields rayon and a new headband style that I have listed in my Etsy shop.

I have made a Seamwork Audrey jacket once before. It was made with gold Cone Mills denim and you can read about it here. This jacket was giving me all sorts of problems this time around from accidentally sewing the welt pocket lining on upside down and spilling fray check on it. But- it’s done! And I’m very happy with it. This time I shortened the length of the body and the arms by one inch. I’ve needed a blue denim jacket in my wardrobe again. This is going to get worn a lot.

The Nina Lee Kew dress is a pattern I’ve had for a while now but never got around to making. I was wondering what I should wear to the tulip fields and kept thinking about this rayon I had in my stash. This was a spontaneous make. I didn’t have enough fabric for the facings so I picked up some white rayon from work and lined the bodice with it. I also used some vintage buttons I had on hand. I’m so pleased with how it turned out. The only fit adjustment I made was lowering the bust darts a bit. I started to make a wearable muslin out of some vintage floral poly. I love this dress so much, I’ll have to get around to finishing that one. I also would love to make the skirt version. I have some linen in my stash I think would be perfect.

I visited these tulip fields two years ago. It was such a nice experience. I was so disappointed when they were not able to open last year due to Co-vid restrictions. It was much busier this year (at opening!) and was not a fan of the large crowds. We quickly snapped some pics, picked a few tulips and left. Next year I will plan to visit on a weekday so I can hopefully enjoy it more.

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Butterick B6318

B6318 is part of Butterick’s vintage collection. It’s from 1961 and has a gathered skirt, high neckline, dolman sleeves and waist ties. I’ve had this pattern for a while now. I bought it during one of Joann’s pattern sales but never had any real plans to make it. I recently saw a few versions pop up on Instagram and I finally felt inspired to give it a go! I got this Rifle Paper Co fabric last year when they released their English Garden collection. It’s such a beautiful fabric with so many great details in the print. I kept changing my mind on what to make with it! I think I bought 3 yards so I wanted a pattern that wouldn’t leave me with a lot left over.

As far as fit goes, I’m happy. I graded from a 6 in the bust to an 8 in the waist. I don’t think I’d change a thing. I like the style of this dress and I think this pattern is a winner. I try not make dresses like this anymore though because I can’t wear them too often. I don’t know if I’ll be making this dress again anytime soon. Or if I did, maybe a shorter length would be more wearable.If I made this again, I’d also use a dyed fabric instead of a printed fabric because you can easily see the wrong side of the waistband fabric when it’s tied. I thought about backing it but I didn’t have enough fabric and I was worried it would be too bulky. 

TULIPS. Obviously the show stopper here. About an hour from where I live has a farm that planted a million tulips. Literally. It’s called Holland Ridge Farms if anyone reading is from the New Jersey area. I wanted to go last year but I found out about it at the very end of the season. I made sure to keep an eye on their page this year so I didn’t miss out. It was so gorgeous. I didn’t want to leave! These are easily my favorite photos I’ve taken for the blog. 

Lisa Comfort Lottie Dress

I purchased Issue 3 of Lisa Comfort magazine when it came out last year because I knew I wanted to make the Lottie dress that came with it! I finally got around to it! It’s a simple button front dress with a  bias bound top/ straps. I used a cotton Rifle Paper Co fabric I’ve had in my stash and I’ve been wanting to use. I also used some buttons I picked up on my recent trip to the garment district in New York.

This would have been a pretty quick make but I had some fit issues. I graded the pattern down a size but when I tried it on after sewing on the bias tape, it was so large at the top in the front. It was completely unwearable. The easiest thing to do was to undo the bias tape on the front pieces and to add more gathers. It worked!

There’s an optional tie sash included in the pattern. I didn’t make it because I really liked how this vintage belt looks with the dress but I have plenty of fabric left over if I decide I want to make it in the future.

I haven’t decided if I’d make this pattern again. I like the style and I like how few pattern pieces there are/ how this can be a pretty quick make. It’s not the most comfortable dress for me because the straps are set a little wide for my shoulders. I think if I were to make it again, I would have to figure out how to make them more comfortable and set in more so they don’t feel like they are going to fall down.

Overall, I like how this dress turned out and I am excited to wear it on vacation next month!

Simplicity 8294

This is my second Simplicity 8294. My first one  is the version with the gathered skirt and cap sleeve. For this dress, I made the pleated skirt with the arm band. I knew I wanted to eventually make another one of these after my first. I love the collar and the buttons with the tabs is such a cute detail. When I saw this fabric from the new Rifle Paper Co collection, I had to have it! It comes in a navy color way but I just love the mint and how the colors in the print pop against it. I had a quick look through my patterns before ordering and knew this was a good choice! It works great with quilting weight cottons. Plus, I wanted something I made before and liked so I would feel confident cutting into this beautiful fabric!

I thought the blue chambray would be a nice compliment to the colors in this fabric and a nice change from just using white like my last one. I picked this up at Joanns and just used white buttons that I had in my stash. I used a regular zipper on the side as the pattern calls for. I do kind of wish I just used an invisible one, though! I find them easier to put in. I hardly ever insert regular zippers so they just don’t turn out exactly how I’d like them to. I basted it in first but I feel like it’s pulling/warping a little bit. It’s probably one of those things that’s only really noticeable to me. I don’t think I’ll bother trying to fix it but definitely making a note to use an invisible zip next time.

As far as fit, I made this before so I was pretty confident in making the same size as last time. It is a tiny bit more snug in the waist than I would like, though. So I may take a little bit out of the seam allowance on the side without the zipper. I also noticed that it’s a little tight around the arms, too. I made the cap sleeve version last time and didn’t have that issue. I have more of this fabric so I may eventually swap it out for the sleeve or make the arm a little bigger and sew in a longer arm band.

Mint and red is one of my favorite color combos so I love how it looks with my red flats on!

Overall I really love this dress, though. I see myself wearing it a lot this spring and summer. Don’t be surprised if you see me make another one of these!

Closet Case Patterns Kelly Anorak

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I am so thrilled to share this jacket. I really think it is my favorite thing I have ever made. I have been wanting to make a Closet Case Patterns Kelly anorak for a while now. I have seen so many lovely versions of it. I also had a jacket in this style that I wore a lot but I had gotten rid of it during one of my wardrobe clean outs. I felt a hole in my wardrobe because I didn’t have a lightweight jacket to wear in the spring and fall besides my denim jacket (which I don’t love to wear with jeans…) I added the pattern to my Make Nine for this year thinking I would carve out time to make a lined version for the fall. When I was looking at the new Rifle Paper Co fabric collection and saw this canvas– I immediately envisioned this jacket and those plans changed. I have never ordered fabric or a pattern so fast! It jumped to the top of my sewing queue as I impatiently waited for my parcels to arrive. I couldn’t wait to make this jacket a reality.

The Kelly Anorak is a great pattern if you are looking to up your sewing skills. There are things I have never done before- gusset pockets and a zipper placket to name a couple. Overall the instructions were easy to follow but I did find myself looking at the sew along on their blog a few times. I found it especially helpful at the pocket stage. I find myself leaning towards quick and satisfying projects more and more these days so I admit I was a little impatient while making this. I spent one weekend day and quite a few evenings working on it.

I’m really happy with the inside of the jacket as well. I chose to use flat felled seams since the jacket is unlined. I also used bias tape at the hem and at the hood. I just ended up serging a couple seams- the arm holes (honestly because it was easy) and the bottom on the sleeve (because I couldn’t get my machine in there).

I managed to pattern match on the front and back yokes. These are the most noticeable seams to me so I am glad I was able to do that. I would have loved to of matched more seams but I just didn’t have enough fabric to do that. I also made a silly cutting mistake where I cut along the wrong size line for the back jacket and had to recut! Thankfully I was able to cut some other pieces out of that mistake.

This jacket is everything I wanted it to be. I can’t believe how smoothly it came together. I know I am going to wear this so much. It’s my favorite and probably most practical make. I am still thinking about making a lined one the fall!

Sunflower field

A local farm has a sunflower maze and I was happy to have a sunny day this weekend to visit. It was so beautiful to walk through the field with the sunflowers towering over our heads. I wore one of my favorite makes of the summer- my Rifle Paper co/ Seamwork Weston shorts. I’m at the point of the season when I’m over my current wardrobe and I’m itching to unpack my sweaters and wear layers. I’ve started my fall sewing but I’m impatient and want to wear what I’ve made! I still want to do a round up of my favorite makes this season so hopefully I can pull that together soon.

 

Sew Over It Kimono Jacket

Hello! I wanted to share my latest make on here. If you follow me on Instagram then you might know that I’ve been battling bronchitis over the past 4 or 5 days. It’s been rough! (especially since I just want to sew!) I have so many projects in the works. It’s definitely going to be a busy summer once I’m feeling better.

Anyway, back to the kimono! This pattern is the first Sew Over It pattern I’ve tried and I already have 4 more (they were having a sale…). It was a very quick make. I cut it out one night and was able to sew it up after dinner another. It’s only four pattern pieces! If you’re looking for a satisfying make you can knock out in a couple hours I definitely recommend this! It comes in two different lengths and I went with the shorter one. The fabric I used is Rifle Paper Co rayon. A local fabric store was having a half off sale and was so happy I remembered I ordered this pattern when I was there! I think they work perfectly together.

As far as fit goes, I made the smallest size and I think it’s just fine. It’s loose fitting so there’s not much to fit as far as adjustments. I’m so happy with this kimono jacket. It’s easy to just throw on to make an outfit a bit more exciting,  and it’s lightweight enough to wear in the summer to keep my shoulders protected from the sun. I definitely want to make another one. Maybe I’ll try the long version next time!

Shorts Part 1 (Seamwork Weston)

Hello! I’ve made three pairs of shorts over the past month or so. I thought I’d do a little series of them on here over the next week with pattern reviews. We finally had a few warm days so I was able to wear them and photograph them. Unfortunately its back to being cold again.

Pattern: Seamwork Weston shorts

Were they easy to make? Yes!

Pattern Adjustments? I made no adjustments.

Fit? I made the size 0 and the fit is perfect for me.

Fabric choice? I used Cotton and Steel X Rifle Paper Co Herb Garden Canvas (which appears to be sold out now). I am thrilled with my choice! The canvas wasn’t as heavy as I thought it was going to be. It’s so comfortable to wear and was very easy to work with.

Anything to watch out for? Zipper placement. The instructions and illustrations could have been more helpful. I’m honestly not sure if I did it correctly but it works, so thats good enough for me.

Would you make it again? Yes! It’s a great basic high waisted shorts pattern.

Bloomsbury

Hello! I didn’t mean to go so long without a post. I’ve been busy sewing but it’s hard to photograph spring/ summer clothes with a foot of snow outside. It’s finally starting to feel a little bit like spring so I headed outside yesterday. I made this Nina Lee Bloomsbury blouse and was happy to finally wear it! I must have made this at least a month ago but I remember it coming together easily.

I bought the pdf file and printed it at home. I opted for the thicker ruffle and decided to forgo the neck and sleeve ruffle. I had an old kit to do fabric covered buttons and I’m so glad I used it! I was one short so I used an old blue covered button I had in my stash for the top closure. The fabric is Cotton and Steel X Rifle Paper Co and it’s so pretty! I knew I had to use it for this blouse when I spotted it at a local fabric shop.

I made the smallest size and am happy with the fit. I’m just not thrilled about the gaping hole in the upper back. You can see it above. I might add another button or some kind of closure there. I hope to make this again! I saw a sleeveless version and a dress version online so I’m thinking maybe a sleeveless dress for summer?! This was my first Nina Lee pattern and I’m sure I’ll be getting another. Perhaps the Kew dress that’s so popular!

Rifle Paper Co Fabric

It’s no secret that I love Rifle Paper Co! I can’t get enough. I received an email a few days ago about the new fabric collection and I’ve been trying to decide what to get ever since! I have a rayon and a cotton from previous collections that I just adore. It’s on preorder right now and will be shipping in early April. The collection includes cotton, cotton lawn, canvas and rayon. It ranges from $11- $18 a yard. I picked my favorites but you can view the full collection here.

Clockwise from top left: Herb Garden (Natural) Canvas, Explorer (Hunter) Cotton, Waves (Coral) Cotton, Lively Floral (Mint) Rayon, Happy Stripe (Cream) Cotton Lawn, and Herb Garden (Mint) Cotton.

I can picture so many happy spring/ summer clothes in these fabrics. What do you think? Will you be ordering any of the Rifle Paper Co fabric?