Hello all my beautiful sewists. I have come to the decision to relaunch my blog, in a few weeks, I need figure out exactly what I need it to be. I realize it needs some work done on it and I am going to take the time now to work on it. I will be adding additional content, such as, but not limited to, fashion, food, and lifestyle, pretty much all the things I love and do regularly. I felt as if I was limiting myself to only sewing. My sewing projects will be still be part of my content, as sewing is what I love most. With expanding my content I believe it be more exciting.
So for now enjoy a few of my favorite makes below. I’ll be back in a few weeks or so with a new look and new content. I will continue to post my makes as I work on my blog’s relaunch.
In need of a quick dress or top? Well this pattern Simplicity 8930 will satisfy your need. I think it took me about an hour and 20 minutes to make this dress from start to finish. I also serged the inside to make it clean as well. I am getting into the habit of serging all my garments, it is so worth all the extra time.
As part of the instructions it states that you can also complete this pattern with an Overlock or Serger machine. One day I may try completing a full garment with my Serger.
Although tops are what I currently need the most in my wardrobe, I couldn’t resist this dress. I didn’t need to make any alterations for fit on this one. The length was perfect for me, not too short, not too long, but just right.
Pattern Description: Misses’ Top with Options for Design Hacking
Pattern Sizing: XXS – XXL, I cut a Small
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes
Were the instructions easy to follow? Extremely easy to follow
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? The finished garment and that I didn’t need to make any length alterations is what I liked most about this pattern.
Fabric Used: Knit, purchased from Journals in Los Angeles, Ca
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I am planning on making option 3 and/or 4 as tops are what I really need right now.
Conclusion: Love the outcome of the dress. The pattern instructions were so easy to follow. Good for a beginner as well.
These loose fitting pants were exactly what I was looking for, for a stand alone pair of casual pants. By stand alone I mean, not attached to a jumpsuit. The pattern McCall’s 7757 describes the pants as a loose-fitting, pull-on pants with elasticized waist and pockets. Yep, that is correct, no zipper and no fancy facings. These are perfect for the hot weather we are experiencing this week and weeks to come.
These pants were a quick and easy sew. I had to be careful with fabric placement, as my fabric has some cute little birds on them and I didn’t want the birds to be placed awkwardly in the front or back crotch seams. I paired these pants with a tank top from Kohl’s that matched the largest of the two flowers and a navy blue cardigan from Nordstrom Rack. I have this thing about having my shoulders out in the office, it’s just me. Typically once I am out the office the cardigan comes off. You will also notice that I am wearing a sandal, instead of my tennis shoes, Yay!!! My foot is healing perfectly. I bought these sandals in the tan and black from Target, which are no longer available online.
I cut a size Medium and I love the fit. I did have to cut off 6″ from the original pattern pieces, that was the only alteration that I needed to make for this pattern.
Pattern Description: Misses’ Loose-fitting pull-on pants have elasticized waist and pockets.
Pattern Sizing: XS-M, I cut a medium
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes
Were the instructions easy to follow? Very easy, I had to check to make sure, I hadn’t missed a step.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Everything. How simple the instructions were, how the pants looked finishing them, and how they fit.
Fabric Used: It is a type of challis. Unfortunately I failed to get the exact type off of the bolt when I purchased it.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Cut off 6″ from the bottom to accommodate my height.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, it is back in rotation on my sewing table as I write this review.
These are a few of the patterns that I have purchased for my Spring/Summer sewing plans for 2019, these will go along with my Make Nine for 2019 linked from a previous post here. There aren’t a lot of new patterns that I have seen that are not similar or almost identical to a pattern that I currently own. It could be that I own too many already.
Jumpsuits
A Jumpsuit is an extremely versatile article of clothing. Dress it up or down, either way it makes for a great outfit. For this Jumpsuit, McCall’s 7909 I am liking View B. Usually not a fan of the ruffled sleeve, but this one is speaking to me and if I can find a pretty floral piece of fabric, I will be a happy girl. I plan on sewing the bodice up a little higher just not to show off too much skin.
Another Jumpsuit that caught my attention, is View A of McCall’s 7872. This will be a great outfit for date night or girl’s night out on these hot summer nights that we get here in California. McCall’s recommends using the following fabrics and lining to complete this Jumpsuit : Fabric: Crepes, Charmeuse, Suiting Fabrics, Crepe Back Satin. Lining: Lining Fabric. I haven’t decided what type of fabric I would like use, but it will be a solid color.
Pants
These pants are absolutely beautiful and designed by one of my favorite designers Nicole Miller. I love her designs and these pants are on the LOVE list for sure. I love the blush color on the pattern, but would definitely want a pair of these McCall’s 7911 pants in black or even a navy blue. Not so sure how these pants would look in a printed fabric, who knows I may try it to see. Florals are the print for Spring.
Cardigan McCall’s 7912 was selected as the monthly pattern for Sew Your View for February by @thatssewmonica over on Instagram. Unfortunately due to my foot surgery I didn’t get to make it in February. I am still going to complete it in the upcoming months as I play catch up on my sewing plans. I can always use a cardigan even when the weather is hot outside as the office I work in can get really cold at times.
Top
This top, McCall’s 7750, I am not so sure about, I like it, but I don’t love it, but hopefully with the right fabric choice and a great fit, I may change my mind. I can see View A or B, with or without the sleeve ties as the Views to make. Tops and pants are what’s missing from my wardrobe for Spring/Summer.
For this pattern, I made view E, for the second time (see last photo for first one). I love that the dress is versatile and can be dressed up or down, depending on where your headed. It can be worn with boots for a dressy look or it can be worn with sneakers for a casual look while running errands on a Saturday morning.
There are several fabric suggestions that McCall’s has listed in the pattern, Sweatshirt Fleece, Frech Terry, Cotton Knit, Velour. For my fabric selection, I choose this Red, White, and Black Camouflage print from the Fabric Outlet in San Francisco, Ca. The link is Here, but this color is no longer available on the website. I did purchase this fabric in store.
Pattern Description:Misses’ Knit Tops and Dresses
Pattern Sizing:XS -M. I cut a small.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?Yes it was exactly what I expected once it was all done.
Were the instructions easy to follow?The instructions were easy and pretty straight forward.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?I was happy with the pattern and that it fit.
Fabric Used:Red, white, and black camouflage French terry from the Fabric Outlet, San Francisco, Ca.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:No alterations to this one.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?Yes, in a solid color, maybe black for casual everyday wear.
Conclusion:I like this one and can see myself making this again.
This fabric is a sweatshirt knit, that I purchased at Joann’s fabric, a few years back. I made this dress in 2018.
Addicted to sewing since the 70’s – Sewing Blogger since 2013 – Enjoying a #RTWFAST and Creator of #DESIGNINDECEMBER since 2015 – Designing Handbags and Accessories and PDF Sewing Patterns for bags and accessories at #LANYOSHANDMADE since 2018 – Lover of vegan, sustainable, repurposed and up-cycled projects – I want to try everything, learn everything and talk about it with you!
