Mirambell Skirt

I made the Pauline Alice Mirambell Skirt over the weekend.  I’m very happy with the skirt and I know it’s going to get a lot of wear. I said I wanted to sew more basics and a denim skirt is a wardrobe staple! I was so frustrated making this skirt because I thought so many instructions were missing. Turns out I had it open on my computer so I could only see half of them. Such a silly mistake! It was a good test, though. Turns out I did everything correctly!

As far as the actual pattern, the only issue I had was that the waistband was at least 3 inches too short. I thought maybe I made a cutting error or made my pleats too large, but I really don’t see how I cut both waistband pieces separately wrong. Plus, all of the other pieces matched up with how I did my pleats. I had already interfaced, stitched and topstiched my waistband so the last thing I felt like doing was cutting a new waistband and starting over. I just added a little scrap to each end. It’s a little weird but I don’t think it’s really noticeable and it’s even on both sides so I’m just calling it part of the design.

I definitely recommend using an edge foot on your machine for a good portion of this skirt. I did a lot of topstiching and it made it so easy. I topstiched the top of the waistband and the edge of pockets even though it wasn’t instructed for a really clean finish. The pleats all need to be topstiched for this skirt as well as the bottom edge of the pocket facings.

The verdict: I’m very happy with this skirt. The fit is nice and I like the style. I just need to add a hook and eye to the top of the zipper because I noticed it is splitting at the top in these photos. If I make another one I’ll have to pay more attention to the length of the waistband and see what my mistake was!

Advertisement

Colette Hawthorn

When I won three printed patterns from Patternsy, I asked for recommendations in the Seamwork/ Colette library since I had no clue which patterns to add to my collection! I had a few people suggest the Hawthorn. I never really thought much about it before but when I started looking into it I knew I had to make one. I ended up making two! I made the sleeveless shirtdress option and the short sleeve peplum top.

I made the dress first. I picked up this blue plaid cotton at a local fabric store knowing it would make a nice summer dress. After I made the dress, I had a vintage floral cotton I found recently that I knew would make a great top since there wasn’t a lot of it. The floral reminds me of a Liberty print! I ended up making the top right after the dress since the pattern was still out on my work table (not crumpled into a ziplock bag…) and the instructions were fresh in my mind.

I felt that they were both easy to sew and the instructions were clear. The only issue I had was with the buttonholes. My machine still likes to malfunction on those. For every 2 or 3 I did, the machine would forget what it is was doing or make the buttonhole super tiny. I’m happy to say I purchased a Bernina over the weekend and I’m hoping these problems are behind me.

Now, although I really like my finished garments- I have to admit there is a fit issue around the arms and the bodice. I feel like the arm holes need to be larger for me and maybe the bodice needs to be taken in a bit. I really should have made a muslin for this, and I’m sure you’re wondering why I made the second one identical to the first one. I guess I thought I made a mistake somewhere. I think they are both wearable and I’m not sure I’d be interested in taking them apart to make them fit better. I’m curious if anyone else had these issues.

I definitely am considering making another one- the long sleeve dress version in the fall. Hopefully I can sort out the fit issues by then.

After receiving my patterns from Patternsy, I decided I am never printing and taping together a pattern from home ever again! I placed a big order from PDF plotting because I wanted to try them out. They are both good options. I do like the tissue paper Patternsy uses over the standard white paper I received from PDF Plotting. With all of these PDF patterns comes an issue… how to store them! I’m thinking a binder with plastic inserts. I would love to hear any suggestions! I currently have them in ziplock bags but it’s become quite messy since I don’t have anything to store the bags in and I have to dig to find what I was looking for.

Lots of projects in the queue. Hopefully I will be back soon with my next make!

Sewing Swimwear

Last year I made my first swimsuit- B6067. (I’ll post a photo of this at the bottom.) I was nervous about it but I ended up being really happy with how it turned out. I never thought I could make a bathing suit. I always do that- think I can’t make something for some silly reason. For the longest time I wouldn’t make anything with buttons because buttonholes seemed too hard. Then I tried it and I realized how easy they are! If you want to make something, just go for it. There’s always a seam ripper and a youtube video to help you out. ; )

I knew I wanted to make another bathing suit this year and I needed it done before our trip to Antigua. I chose the Seamwork Reno and Dakota because I wanted to make a two piece this time and I definitely prefer a high waisted bottom. Overall, I am pretty happy with how it turned out. It came together fairly quickly. I worked on it after work for a little bit over 3 days. I opted to line the cups with poly laminate foam. I’m just not happy with the placement of the fabric checks. I must have made a mistake while cutting it out, and ended up with an uneven pattern on the top of the bottoms and the hem of the top. The pattern is so tiny. I really should have cut this out flat and not on a fold. Lesson learned! The fabric is really beautiful though. It’s an Italian made navy and white check from Hart’s Fabric. I also bought a lining from them as well. (Oh and please excuse my splotchy skin! I know better but didn’t reapply enough sunscreen on our first day and ended up with some sunburn.)

I think this is a good pattern to enter into the world of sewing swimwear. The bottoms were very quick and easy. I used version 2 but I would like to make a color blocked pair with version 1! I will admit I had a little bit of trouble with the instructions for the top (the drawings were a little confusing to me) but I used this sew along blog post as a guide and was able to work it out.

If you’re new to sewing swimwear, I recommend a walking foot for you machine. It’ll make it easier to manage the silky fabric. Also make sure you are using a stretch needle with a stretch or zig zag stitch. I recommend a twin needle for any top stitching. And it’s not necessary, but if you have the option of using a serger to finish edges, it’ll make it look more professional. Practice make perfect! Don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t turn out just right the first time. Like I said, there’s always a seam ripper.

And as promised, here’s my B6067! Have you made any swimwear before?

 

Royal Wedding Sew Along (Simplicity 8591)

Ok… so this dress. I’m obsessed. I came across this fabric at an antique center on Friday and the Simplicity 8591 pattern immediately popped in my head because there’s a version for striped fabric. I’m pretty sure it’s a cotton sateen. It has a soft touch and has a bit of weight to it. The colors and pattern on it are so dreamy!

I realized I still had time to enter the Royal Wedding Sew Along Contest so this went straight to the top of my sewing to do list. I cut it out on Saturday night, spent maybe 4 hours on it on Sunday and did finishing touches on Monday. I can’t believe how quickly it came together. I thought for sure I’d be racing to finish it by the deadline.

Now for the pattern… The shape is lovely. I made a size 6, graded to an 8 in the waist. I’m very happy with the fit. The skirt is so full! It has a front panel and a side/back panel on each side. There’s a band that wraps around near the bottom as a decorative touch. This pattern is so fun for a striped fabric. I took extra care to make sure I cut everything out correctly and tried to pattern match the best I could.

I’m completely in love with how it turned out. I only wish I was really going to the Royal Wedding so I’d have somewhere to wear it!

New Look Jumpsuit 6446

Hello! If you follow me on Instagram, you probably know I just spent 5 days in Antigua. It was so beautiful and a much needed vacation. I spent most of the time on the beach with a book (I’ll be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara), sipping on pina coladas. I’m definitely missing that now that I’m back in gloomy, rainy New Jersey. I brought mostly me-made items, so I have a lot to share on here! First up is this New Look 6446 jumpsuit. This is one of my favorite pieces of clothing I’ve ever made! The fit is perfect and it is so comfortable and easy to wear. I want to make more of them asap!

I first saw this pattern last summer when The Crafty Pinup made one and I had been thinking about it ever since. I had purchased this lemon stripe fabric for a dress but realized it would make an amazing jumpsuit. I found the pattern on Amazon prime and made sure to make it before my trip.

Pattern: Simplicity New Look 6446 I made view C.

Was it easy to make? Yes! I had no issues when putting this together. As long as you are comfortable inserting an invisible zipper, this is an easy make.

Pattern Adjustments? I made no adjustments. I did add a ruffle to the straps though! I cut a long piece of fabric somewhere between 1 1/2 and double the size of the strap (I don’t remember exactly). I hemmed one long side and both short sides. I gathered the unhemmed side, folded it over, pinned/adjusted and then topstitched. Repeat for the other side. I hope that makes sense!

Fit? Fit is perfect for me! I made my normal pattern size. I just shortened the length of the pants a little bit when I did the hem.

Fabric choice? I used a blue and white with lemon print rayon from Harts Fabric. (I no longer see it on their website). It is so soft and has a lovely drape for this pattern. I forgot how tricky rayon can be to sew though. I used my walking foot and extra pins. Worked great! The pattern recommends heavier fabric but I think this pattern works great with a light fabric as well.

Anything to watch out for? Nope! Nothing comes to mind.

Would you make it again? Absolutely! I’m thinking maybe a linen or even a denim one next.

Simplicity 8608

There’s snow on the ground today but we had a few nice days over the weekend. I finally was able to wear my Simplicity 8608 wrap dress I made last month. Perfect springtime/ Easter dress. I made version A- a short faux wrap dress with elastic waist, removable sash, pockets and lots of ruffles!

Was it easy to make? The dress was easy to make overall- hemming all if the ruffles was probably the most time consuming part!

Pattern Adjustments? I added an inch to the length of the skirt. I wish I had enough fabric to add maybe 2 more inches. It’s a little short for me but definitely wearable.

Fit? I made the size 8. The wrap part on the bodice is a little big for me. I wonder if I should have made the size 6 or somehow adjusted the pattern. I think adding a snap will help a lot.

Fabric choice? I absolutely love this fabric I bought from Jo Ann’s. I knew I needed to get it at soon as I saw it! The flowers and colors are so pretty. I believe it’s rayon. It worked beautifully with all of the ruffles.

Anything to watch out for? When you attach the ruffle pieces, you need to do a gathering stitch along the unfinished edge. BUT you barely need to gather to fit! Don’t bunch it all up like I did only to realize I had to basically undo it all.

Would you make it again? Probably! I’m curious about the romper or jumpsuit versions.