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!

SOHO Blouse

Today I'm bringing you another top: the SOHO Blouse. The pattern is by See Kate Sew. I love the design of the blouse with the angled yoke and sleeves. I found this minty fabric on clearance at JoAnns and knew it would be perfect for this top. This yoke is fully lined and therefore not see-thru.

This pattern has a few options. You can opt for a straight hem instead of the angled hem I did on this one. You can also opt for regular sleeves instead of ruched ones like I did here.

The only problem I had with this pattern is the sleeves and arm holes. They are a bit snug, making it difficult to take the shirt off. Maybe next time I'll size up, or just cut the arm holes and sleeves a
bit bigger. I'll keep you posted!

I've got the fabric for my next one ready and waiting on my sewing table. I think I'll try the straight hem and go sleeveless!

-V

Keeping it Real... and more sewing

Let's be real for a minute. The makeup bag I've been using for the last few years is super nasty. Countless things have spilled inside the bag and I just keep putting my stuff back in. It's a fabric bag that I made, so technically I could wash it. But where is the fun in that??
So, you know, I made a new one.

This pattern comes from the Weekend Sewing book by Heather Ross. I love the fun pop of the turquoise zipper!

-V

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

Easter and a Dress

I took full advantage of Easter this year and asked my family to indulge me in a little family photo session. We did get a few good ones that were a bit more serious than this one but for whatever reason I really like this one. It just fits, you know?

In other news, I made this dress for Sage. I gave it to her for her birthday and I also made a matching dress for her new doll. She was super excited about it (even though that is not apparent at all in these photos) because it twirls. You know, because twirl is the measure of wear-ability for dresses for any reasonable 5 year old girl!

The dress turned out good but it means a bit more than that this time. This fabric was given to me by my great-aunt straight from her stash. It's a beautiful silk print that is lightweight and was a dream to sew. This dress will be one that I'm sure I won't be able to part with long after she's out grown it!

-V