Our summer wardrobe

My daughter’s summer wardrobe is getting full now. I think she doesn’t need stuff anymore. In fact, I have tested mostly patterns that fit perfectly into her summer style – good for play but also really cute and girly (for an almost 9 year-old, that is 😉 ).

Here is another pattern I have tested:

From the pattern listing:

“Girls Fashion Basics is a a fun fashion forward pattern for your favorite girl. Pattern includes cap-sleeve dress, cap sleeve T-shirt, and twirl skirt. This pattern is simple enough for a beginner and sews up super quick“

I totally agree with the description. There is one pattern piece for the top, and one for the dress, with different necklines for front and back. You can choose to either cut your back first, then cut the neckline for the front piece, and then cut your tee or dress front, or to print the piece twice, so you don’t need to bother with cuttings or tracing. I find this to be really nice especially when you want to save paper and ink. For the skirt, you are given measurements.

The instructions contain clear and detailed illustrations.

This is such a quick sew, that you can fill your daughter’s wardrobe in just a day!

I made size 10 top and skirt for my tall daughter. The fit is really good, based on the sizing table. I went up only because my daughter is much more taller than average girls.

Fabrics: I used a 95% cotton – 5% spandex jersey knit for the tee. It was too simple and grey for a girl, so I topstitched it with yellow thread, and applied a colourful patch on the chest.

For the skirt, I used a yellow gingham cotton for the waistband/upper part (one piece only), and a printed cotton for the rest of the skirt. The pattern calls for ribbon on the seam between the two fabrics, but I didn’t have any that was suitable, so I went for an orange ric-rac which I sewed with a yellow thread, too.

I really like the final result, and as I had used so little fabric to make both items, I’m thrilled! I really need to try the dress next 🙂

If you like it, you can find it here: Etsy link

The pattern is split into two size ranges: 2-7 and 8-16. I only have a daughter, so I love that I can buy larger sizes for her, without having to spend any money on sizes I’d never use.

What are you sewing now? Are you done sewing for the summer?

xxx Mary

Everything but the kitchen sink Henley by Winter Wear Designs

So I haven’t been blogging for quite some time. Let’s just say I chose to sew instead of writing (so, my pile of finished items still to blog is long, until last Halloween long).

Here’s one of the latest patterns I’ve tested: the “Everything But The Kitchen Sink Henley” by Winter Wear Designs.

From the pattern description on Etsy:

“I designed this shirt to be your go-to shirt pattern. It really does cantain everything but the kitchen sink, and there are plenty of ways to play with it beyond all the options in the instructions too!!! If you were going to a deserted island with your sewing machine, a pile of fabric and only 1 top pattern – this is the one you should take! Hahahah, ok but really, let’s look at your options.
• Fit: European (slim fit) or regular fit with the wider front fold line
• Sleeves: short, gathered short, 3/4, long
• optional sleeve tabs for all three lengths
• Welt Pocket
• Narrow henley, V Henley, Faux Henley
• Straight hem or Shirt Tail hem”

Sizes included are 1 to 14, plus it’s suitable for both girls and boys!

I made two in just a few hours: the first one with the faux henley and shirttail hem. I changed it a bit, and instead of doing the sleeve hem and shirt hem as per instructions, I did a lettuce hem and shirred the sleeves with two rows of elastic thread sewn at 3/4″ from the edge of the sleeve. I love how it came!

For my second one, I left the faux henley out, inserted elastic into the sleeve hem, but did the shirttail hem again, since my daughter loves it:

I used cotton+spandex jersey for the tee and lycra for the neckband, for both my versions.

I am in love with this tee! I have been browsing the online stores I usually buy from, for more nice fabric in order to make more of these tees for my daughter, as they are both practical and really cute!

If you want to buy the pattern, you can do so here: Winter Wear Desings on Etsy 

Happy sewing!

X Mary

A dress to love!

Hello, friends! A lot of stitching behind the scenes here, although no blog posts (shame on me 🙂 ). Here’s my latest project: the EYMM Off the shoulder dress and peplum top.

Pattern details, from the pattern description:

“The ‘Off The Shoulder Dress & Peplum Top’ by EYMM is a simple and modern top and dress with an inviting neckline finish. The upper and mid sleeves are fitted, with a looser, open wrist and a longer length. Unlike many cowls that have unfinished edges, this cowl neck is completely finished. The simple tucks added to the cowl keep the distinctive drape lines, whether you’re sitting in one place or moving around. The dress has 2 lengths, 2 sleeve lengths and 2 bodice length options, plus the peplum top looks great with jeans or slacks. You can use a variety of knit fabrics from cotton lycra jersey knits to warm sweater knits for the bodice and skirt. You can also use a large variety of woven fabrics for the gathered skirt option. Dress it up or down with different fabric types and colors. The women’s version comes in 10 sizes from misses XS to plus size 5X. “

The pattern is rated as suitable for an “Advanced beginner” and I totally agree. There aren’t difficult areas, except maybe for the cowl, but the instructions and the photos are detailed and the entire sewing process is pretty smooth. If you can sew a straight line, and follow written instructions, you can sew this!

I made a size L. Long sleeve, circle skirt, above the knee length option. I used a jersey I ordered online – I had bought 3 m of it, and only have some small pieces left. I don’t remember the content, probably polyester and 5 or 6% spandex.

No belt here – I prefer it belted because I like waist definition on me 🙂

Conclusions:

1. This dress was made with zero – 0 – none alterations of the testers’ pdf version! Of course I’m happy! This means not much work to do for me as a tester, and as a sewist, well, I’m happy to find out that Kymy, the designer behind EYMM, really drafts for us curvy gals! This was my first EYMM pattern, but it definitely won’t be my last! In the final pdf pattern version, the sleeve was taken in a bit and shortened, too, and there are now two cutting lines: one for the peplum top and one for the dress bodice.

2. On my next onlie order for fabric I need to include some other jerseys and novelty knits. I can see more dresses and peplum tops in my life now! This is a “dressed down” version, but can you imagine making the top in one single colour, and the skirt in a print? The skirt can be also made of woven! And I can’t tell you how many compliments I had on the dress and on how well it suits me! And the interesting cowl! For me, this is a winner!

The pattern was released as part of the Sew Fab Bundle sale, together with other 9 new patterns from different designer. Find more information: Click here

Well, what do you think? I sure know I’m happy when I wear it! 😀

You can see a peek of my full slip I wore underneath, oops! 😀