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

Leather + Turquoise

I've had this necklace floating around in my head for a while now. I think that I saw someone wearing a similar one and loved it and haven't been able to get it out of my head. So, this morning I made one. You may or may not know that I used to make quite a bit of jewelry and even had my own small business for a while. At some point along the way, it all got packed up because it was too hard to do with little babies around. But I could never bring myself to get rid of all the supplies I had. I found comfort in knowing that it was always there and I could go back to it at any time.
So today I created this simple (and easy!) necklace with some thin brown leather cord and some turquoise cubes. There is no fancy clasp in the back, just a simple knot. I love the simplicity and pop of color.

 

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!

Summer Solstice Dress

I've really been enjoying sewing for myself lately. There are so many great patterns out there and I'm getting more and more confident with my sewing skills. But really I like to keep my style pretty simple. This dress is just that. Simple. Simple to sew. Simple to wear. What spices it up a bit is the fabric choice. This is a linen print from JoAnns and its so, so comfortable to wear on a hot summer day. The pattern is the Wiksten Tank/ Dress.

So if you are wondering why I've been absent on the blog this Spring, you're looking at it. The wood pile. This pile of wood had to be split, stacked and moved numerous times. And don't let that facade fool you. This pile goes back about 8 rows. So yea, I was working on the wood pile this Spring... I'm very happy that it's Summer and the  wood is stacked and I can re-claim my back yard!

Saiph Tunic for Me

I've been on a selfish sewing kick lately. This Saiph Tunic from Papercut Patterns has been on my wish list for a while. Part of me wishes I would have bought the pretty paper pattern but instead I went with the PDF, printed it out and taped it together. This pattern runs pretty big. I decided to make the medium but really should have made a small. I think it works fine since the fabric is really flowing and light but the armholes are a bit big. I still like the shape and way it turned out and will definitely have to make another one. I customized this a bit by not adding sleeves and doing some top stitching to finish it off. Loving the way it turned out - it should be perfect for summer!

The back has a key hole cut out (that is a bit too deep) and is closed with a button at the top.

 

It looks like big girls like a little twirl in their skirt too!

 

I do like the way this top turned out but I love learning how it fits and what I need to do next time to make it better! I'm thinking this pattern would be really good in a knit fabric. Next time...

-V

Back panel shirt-tail top

In my mind I've been obsessing over this top for a while now. I saw a black and white striped shirt at a favorite boutique of mine and thought - I can make that. So the idea brewed around in my head for quite some time until I could take it no longer. First day of spring break rolled around and it's all I could think about. My kids were happily occupied with their new Duck Tails video from the Easter Bunny, so I went for it.
I loosely followed the seafarer top pattern but modified it based on a top that I had and liked the fit of. I cut my fabric a bit generously to allow for adjustments. From there I just modified and adjusted until I liked it! Ta-da!

The main fabric is a really small black and white strip knit. And the back is floral cotton. I love the pop of color and the shirt-tail hem! The top of the floral panel is attached with a small pleat which makes it a bit fuller in the back but leaves the front a bit more fitted. The neck and the arm holes are finished with a band.

It's perfect for Spring!

-V

Myla Tank in Plaid

My latest sewing project is the Myla Tank by Sew Liberated. I found this plaid polyester that had a really nice drape and perfect winter colors and I though this tank would be great for layering in the winter or on it's own as soon as the warm weather returns. I love this simple details of this pattern that really make it stand out: the faux placket, the high-low hem and the split back.
This tank was fairly easy to assemble. I'd say the hardest part was attaching the bias tape. It 
 is very thin so making sure that it was even on both sides and catching the fabric was a bit tricky.

 

Wiksten Tunic Dress

This pattern is super simple but the finishes are what makes it so good. It has french seems and both the armholes and neckline are finished with a bias binding. This encloses all those frayed edges and makes the end result look professional. I love how this tunic/ dress turned out! The fabric is a super lightweight chiffon and I'd definitely say this is a more of a Spring/ Summer piece than Winter. But I made it anyway, let's just say I'm ready for Spring! I think there will be lots of different ways to wear this. Today I opted for a belt with a sweater. I could see it with black leggings or with sandals in the Summer.

xo

-V