Mercer Tunic - Personalized

I seriously love this pattern. It is so "me." Simple and flowing with a few details that are so right. I always like to make the pattern just as it was intended this first go around. Then as I get to know the pattern, I become more confident in tweaking it and making it a bit different. So this here is my 3rd time sewing the Mercer Tunic and I've made a few modifications. For starters I added 4 inches to the hem when I was cutting this out. I then used a shirt-tail shirt I already had to trace the shape hem on this new tunic. I really like the extra length and rounded shape in front and back with the higher sides - especially since the print of my fabric is so boxy.

Speaking of fabric. I picked up this lovely piece while I was in Paris last month. I visited Atelier Brunette and couldn't resist this soft lightweight print in the prettiest royal blue!
The other modification that I decided to make on this version was too omit the buttons. I simply sewed the placket up about halfway (so it's not too revealing!) and left it! I felt like the buttons would just take away from the top and I didn't want that. Or maybe I just didn't find the right buttons! Anyway - I figured that I could always add the buttons and buttonholes later if I wanted.

 

Did I mention that I love this top? I think it will always bring back memories of my special trip to France this year (and maybe also the blisters on my feet from walking to find this fabric store!)

xo

-V

Fall Wardrobe Part 3

So, not to brag but I seriously made the best dress ever. It's cute, it's comfortable, it has pockets and it's black & white stripe. Eeeeeek! It does not get better than that in my world! This is the Gardenia Dress by Cali Faye collections pattern and it is perfection. This is the third pattern of hers that I've made and loved. It so perfectly captures my style of easy to wear and stylish all in one. It helps that I got a really dreamy knit to sew it up with when I visited Bolt in Portland last month. Because I knew that I really wanted to like this dress I actually made a wearable muslin this time. I had some grey fabric that I scored at goodwill in my stash that I used. I will say that said fabric is polyester and doesn't feel great but I really wanted to know if I needed to make this dress true to the pattern or tweak it a bit. Turns out that it was a bit tight across the bust and into the arms, so I added just a little when I cut out the "real" dress. So glad I did, because this one is perfect.

xo

-V

Fall Waredrobe Part 2

I'm continuing on with my Fall wardrobe update. I've been hoarding this black knit with a slight gold sparkle for 1/2 a year now, debating what to make with it. But the reality is that I like and wear simple pieces. I like a little flair but it still has to be comfortable and easy to wear. Enter the Grainline Hemlock Tee. This is a free pattern and tutorial from Grainline Studio. It's a simple boxy top that is easy and open for your interpretation and creativity. For my touch of flair I added a sheer "ruffle" on the bottom. I like my tops a little long so they cover my bum and I can wear leggings under them (because covering your bum is the only acceptable way to wear leggings!).

So I say, bring on Fall. Bring on the apples, the pumpkins, the falling leaves and the cooler temps! 

I am ready!

xo

-V

Building my Fall Wardrobe

On a recent trip to Portland I quickly peeked into my favorite fabric store, Bolt. I love that place. They carry all my favorite fabric designers and lots of good choices for garment sewing. I picked up 3 very different fabrics to make some Fall staples for my wardrobe. First up is the Perri Pullover by Cali Faye. This top is so, so comfy. As soon as it was done, I had it on and didn't take it off for 3 days!

I love the pockets, the hi-low hem and the roomy fit. This is actually the second Perri Pullover I've made. Although the first one turned out pretty good it was a size too big. This time I sized down to a small and it's perfect! I am positive I'll be making another one of these when I find the right fabric!

Fall Scarves...

I've been busy making some cozy scarves just in time for our cooler weather.

 

 I mentioned that I'd be selling these scarves so if you are interested, comment here, email, message or call me. I will ship and take custom orders too. So if there are some specific colors you want, let me know or check back to see what new patterns/ colors I come up with!

And now for the scarves:

cream, black and red plaid infinity scarf $18

cream and black herringbone flannel plaid infinity scarf $18

black and white jail stripe flannel infinity scarf $18

blue and grey floral voile infinity scarf $18

 

 xoxo
-V

Fall Infinity Scarf

I haven't sewn something of my choice for quite some time now and I've been itching to make something. Something preferably quick and easy that I can squeeze into my busy days. Today I did just that. Inspired by some new fall scarfs that I've seen, like this and this. I followed this quick and easy tutorial for an infinity scarf. This black and white stripe is nice thick flannel that is perfect to wrap around my neck in the crisp fall air.

The Honey Cowl + New Hair

This Honey Cowl just came off my needles and I didn't wait to wear it. It's so lovely and soft! The yarn is Madelinetosh Rios from my local yarn shop that just closed. Boo. The pattern is the honey cowl - it's free - start making one today, you won't regret it. My husband happily obliged and took some photos of me wearing it today while we played in the Olympics.

Honey Cowl

Oh - and about the hair. It's a new color for me and I'm loving it! I've always wanted to put some red in my hair and I've always been too scared - until now. 

View from the top!

We have a tradition of cutting down our Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving in the Olympics every year. Since we will be visiting my parents for Thanksgiving this year and I work every weekend up until Christmas we decided to get it today. I'm so happy we did. It was a gorgeous day in the mountains. We had blue skies with just a dusting of snow on the ground (Wyatt was a bit disappointed that there wasn't more snow). The kids had a great time and so did the adults!

Eating Snow!

Licking the snow from her fingers!

Purple Sparkly Bimaa

Happy Friday! Remember a while back when I said I was going to make a Bimaa Sweater for Sage? Well it's done.

This was seriously one of the easiest things I've sewn in a while. It took a bit to figure out what direction the cowl part needed to be to attach to the sweater but after that it was done. I sewed a size 5T for Sage so it wouldn't be too tight and she could wear a t-shirt underneath in case it was a little itchy. I love the way it turned out. Now I'm just wondering when I can get the pattern in my size???

 Back view

I found this knit in the clearance section at JoAnns. It's really stretchy and has some tiny silver sparkles in it. I can't wait to make a few more of these. This pattern is awesome. It has the option for a hood or shawl neck instead of a cowl. I have some neutral knit fabric that I might try next. I thought it would be fun to stencil something fun on the front. Stay tuned...

Perfect for playing hide-and-seek!

Sunny Sunday Scarf

Okay, seriously - this scarf took maybe 20 minutes to make. I followed this little tutorial and then ran outside to take some pictures before the sun set (who knows when we will see it again!). I love to accessorize with bright pops of colors since I tend to wear a lot of black and neutrals. And yellow screams fall to me.

 Side note - please excuse the pictures. I'm still learning to use my camera and well, it's not easy to take pictures of yourself when no one but your 3 year old is around to help. But hey - not bad for a little girl, right?

 The scarf can be wrapped either 2 or 3 times or left long but I like it best wrapped twice.

My little big helper

School Day's Jacket

I love Oliver & S patterns. They all look so clean and simple and the instructions are always clear and easy to follow. I have to admit that I was intimidated to make this jacket. I bought the fabric and pattern back in October of 2012. And it sat and sat. The pattern was size 6mo - 3T and so I knew that I needed to get on it if I ever wanted Sage to wear it.  I cut the fabric with a generous extra 1/2" all the way around since I was afraid it was going to be too small. But the pattern seems to be really generously sized and so I probably didn't need to add that extra fabric because now it's more like a 5T. (Seriously - it fits Wyatt.) But the upside to that is that she won't be growing out of it any time soon. The outside is wool and the lining is quilting cotton.

I love the pop of color on the inside and the wood toggle closure.

Sage is ready for Winter in the coat department. 

But I won't complain about more beautiful Fall days like today!