Sewing for Women – Page 8

Sewing for my favorite season

The kids are back in school AND Raspberry Creek Fabrics released their new fall line. You know what that means, right?! Let the fall sewing begin!

I started off my sewing binge with a little something for me. The Greenstyle Brassie Joggers are a staple in my wardrobe. I wear them any chance I get. I have a handful now and whether I know my day will be filled with running errands or spent at my sewing machines, my Brassies are what I reach for. Comfort in all things. This pair was made using this floral french terry (I love the prints on the grey base in the new line!). I paired it with a teal Panama Tee, my favorite pattern for more stable fabrics like cotton lycra.

Another staple in our house is the Camden Tee. Do I sound like a broken record here? If you can believe it I’d never done the sleeve stripes before and I knew they’d be perfect for this version. This retro stripe is just perfect for fall.

This Windowpane Plaid is such a great transitional fabric. I love the bright colors and it’s so cute with jeans. I used the Willow Raglan from Striped Swallow Designs. I love all the options with this pattern. I hacked it just a bit into a hi-low peplum (a straight peplum top is included in the pattern). I used the 10 top length for the front peplum piece and then blended the back piece from the top to the dress length.

The keyhole back neckline is super fun. I love playing with plaids and stripes on the bias and this bodice just makes me happy!

My little guy got a couple new tees too! This one is the Helter Skelter Tee from Shwin Designs. I love colorblocked tees and especially love when a pattern does all the work for me. And how cute are these little buddies?! He loves when photo shoots include friends (the one on the left is my darling nephew and on the right is the amazing Anna from Kainara Stiches son).

The Skiff Tee from Jennuine Designs is another fun color blocked tee. It has the cutest hidden pocket in the bodice seam too. He was a super fan of that pocket!

I’m dying over this amazing quilted knit! It’s so cozy and that color is just stunning in real life. I love it paired with the blush and burgundy floral (my secret favorite from the whole fall line, shhhh, don’t tell the other fabrics!). I used the Ebony Sweater from Shwin Designs. The relaxed fit just makes it so much cozier don’t you think!

The leggings are Love Notions free Leggins’ pattern. It’s the leggings pattern I use the most for my girls. I love the yoga waistband and the slim fit just works so well on my girls. I’m going to need to sew a big batch of them for fall.

One last look to get our fall sewing started. The Hey Juniors line from Hey June Handmade is something I couldn’t live without. I used the Morrison Tee here and it was great to break out a pattern I hadn’t sewn in awhile and realize I’d been missing out. We were hoping for a boxy sweatshirt look and this pattern was just what we wanted.

This Floral French Terry just needed to shine on it’s own and I think this simple silhouette really helps it out. It’s bright and bold and paired so well with her new jeggings.

It felt so good to churn out some much needed fall wardrobe pieces. I love sewing with CLUB knits and the quick cute projects I can do with them!

Summer Day Top by Made

All summer long I’ve been dying to make me a few new woven tops. As soon as I saw the Summer Day top from Made Everyday, I knew it’d be perfect! Stay tuned to the end of this post to see how you can win your own copy, too. You know you totally want to be twinners 😉

I love all the options with this top. I struggled picking which option to do and actually think it took me more time to decide than it did to sew up. Anyone else get paralyzed with indecision when given so many cute choices?! Lucky for all of us, these sew up so quick we can make them all!

I’m lucky enough to get my hands on the newest Raspberry Creek Fabrics goodies and this pretty rayon challis print just needed to be this top. I think woven tees are the best to really let a print shine and this pattern just sings. Can you hear it?!!

I chose the cuff sleeve version because I can’t get enough of this look. I really love a good cuff and this one is super cute.

I did a size 4 and didn’t make any other adjustments. I sometimes like to add length since I’m 5’7″ with a longer torso but I’m really happy with were this hits.

One small thing to note, I found the armhole to be a tad low and wore a cap sleeve half shirt under just for my own comfort. It’s tricky to try to play with an armscyce because you want to keep the arm mobility. I think the comfort and ease wins out here and I’ll probably just keep making these without modifications.

I really love how this top pairs with jeans but think it’ll be cute dressed up with a pencil skirt too. I’m all about versatility and this pattern has it in spades.

Ready to win your own copy? I’m going to make it super easy on you. Just leave a comment on this post and tell me what version you’d make up first and I’ll pick a winner on Friday August 17th. Make sure to check out the Summer Day Top on Instagram to be blown away with inspiration. I can’t decide if I do a peplum version or a simple short sleeve version next (I may be counting down the days til my kids start school simply so I can whip up another one of these!).

Made For Mermaids Mama Camila

I’ve been sewing swimsuits for my kiddos this summer and I’m finally sharing one for ME! Let’s be honest though, I’d much rather be posting pics of my kids than of me, especially in swimwear, yikes! This swimsuit has been in my head since last summer and I’m so excited to have it done, it just has to be shared with the world!

The Mama Camila suit is one of my favorites (I also have a healthy obsession with the girls version as well). I wore last year’s Camila so much throughout the year that I knew another one would be a welcome addition.

When I snagged this lemon print from CaliFabrics last year I knew I selfishly wanted it for myself. I loved it so much when it arrived that I had to order more just in case my girls needed a suit or two too. I love that CaliFabrics gets designer ends so their selection is always great quality. For better or worse, their selection is constantly changing so check back often and make sure to grab your favorite prints before they disappear.

Let’s talk about this pattern. I love how incredibly versatile it is. The main bodice is a simple one piece with elastic ruching through the tummy area. There are options to sew the flounce like this or over the arms. I like to do the off shoulder view because you can still slip it off your shoulders and wear it like this easily. You can do shoulder ties, a halter tie, or skip the ties altogether. This is my first time doing the double ties and I love them! If you choose to skip the ties the top of the suit feels super secure with the elastic.

When I’m chasing kiddos at the pool, I tend to tuck the ruffle under my arms. It’s a little more freeing, lol!

Off the shoulders feel so chic though! This is my vacation with the hubby look. Cute but a little sexy too 😉

I like to add all the inner options to my suits. This one has foam cups, a shelf bra, power mesh and a full lining. The pattern walks you through adding everything to get a suit that’s flattering and supportive. I love being able to make something that makes me feel as comfortable as possible strutting around the pool.

Are you new to sewing swim? Looking for swim tips? I’m over on the CaliFabrics Blog too sharing some of the things I’ve learned throughout the years. Swimsuits are so much fun to sew and I look forward to sewing a new batch each season. This Camila is at the top of my list of favorites for sure!

Love Notions Ravinia Skirt

I feel like Tami at Love Notions has secret powers. Every time I find a whole in my wardrobe Tami magically knows and poof! A new pattern appears. This summer I’ve been wanting to add a few more casual skirts to my closet and the Ravinia Skirt (Affiliate Link) is just perfect!

This post contains affiliate links. Purchasing through my links provides a small kickback to me that I use to keep up this sewing hobby of mine 😉

Our summer days are usually spent either at the pool, sports lessons and games, or lazy days at home. With temps close to triple digits, these skirts will be perfect for whatever our day holds.

The Ravinia pattern comes in sizes XS-XXXL and can be made in three lengths- knee, calf, and maxi. There are three waistband options- a simple yoga waistband, a slimming contoured band, and a maternity option. As always, the pattern features no-trim pages which make putting it together a breeze. There is also a copy shop file so you can send it off to be printed as well.

My favorite feature is the pockets! They are nice and roomy and that gathering is so unique and fun!

I got both of my fabrics from Cali Fabrics brick and mortar shop Fabric Outlet when I was visiting San Francisco earlier this month. Anyone else feel the need to fit in just a little fabric shopping on vacation? I love shopping their online selection but touching and feeling all the pretty fabric in real life just can’t be beat.

You can grab this dreamy modal jersey here and it’s such a steal! It’s so soft and that drape is dreamy! I paired it with my stripe modal Classic Tee and it’s almost like wearing nothing at all- it’s just so comfortable, breathable, and soft! (And way better on my family than if I did cruise around in my birthday suit all day, lol!)

This skirt is a cozy double brushed polyester. It’s super soft and I didn’t want to take it off! This particular print is sold out but Cali has a large selection of dbp to pick from. I really like this pattern in DBP too!

I love the fullness of this skirt. These cuts were 2.5 yards each and I used almost every last scrap for these skirts. The floral fabric was a wider piece so I was able to fit the size small maxi out of it easily. The taupe modal wasn’t quite as wide and the midi length worked great for it. I did the contour waistband in the taupe and that needs four waistband pieces instead of the one yoga waistband piece. There is an option to add power mesh to the contour waistband so of course I was all over that! I sandwiched my power mesh between the front waistband and front lining piece and like the extra ‘help’ it gives the stomach area.

You can grab your own Ravinia pattern on sale now through Sunday July 22nd!

Love Notions Lace Tour

I’m so excited for you all to see the glorious creations coming your way this week on the Love Notions Lace Summer Blog Tour. So many pretty variations on your favorite Love Notions patterns!

I’m a pretty casual gal and don’t usually go for a ton of lace in my wardrobe. I knew I wanted something that would get worn more than just on the rare special occasion and I kept dreaming of an easy lace woven tee. I pulled out my Harmony Top pattern and found the perfect white eyelet in my stash. And that is how my perfect summer top was born.

My last Harmony top didn’t make it to the blog and I’ve been dying to make a few more for the summer. It’s just the perfect light and breezy top. I love a good woven top to dress up my usual jeans and the Harmony is relaxed and perfect for all those wovens I’ve been hoarding.

I love the back shaping of this pattern. It’s a swingy loose top and bringing in the center back really helps it fit just right.

I did modify the neckline this time and used the crew neckline from the Classic Tee. I love a higher neckline and with the back button it works great and still easily slips over my head. I was channeling these two Pinterest tops. They are just so classy!

Using an eyelet meant I didn’t need to make any other alterations to the pattern. I actually debated between an open weave lace and worried about the seams and front darts looking strange if I didn’t finish them in the exact color serger thread. White eyelet meant no changing thread, lol!

I’m so excited to have this top all summer long. It’s such a great staple and a classic I will wear for a long time to come.

Are you ready for the other stops on this tour? I seriously can’t wait to check them out all week long!

Monday: Sewing Curves SewSophieLynn Kainara Stitches
Tuesday: doodlenumber5 My Heart Will Sew On Third Shift Creations
Wednesday: Princesse et tresors Phat Quarters
Thursday: All Things Katy! Back40life,Sprouting JubeJube
Friday: Sew Like a Sloth Very Blissful Seamly Behaviour

Love Notions Classic Tee

I’m a jeans and tee girl 95% of the time- even in summer time it’s usually cut-off denim shorts and a simple tee. The new Classic Tee from Love Notions will be my new best friend! It’s the perfect relaxed fit basic t-shirt and the big bonus- you can get it for FREE!

There are multiple sleeve and neckline options making this such a versatile pattern too! There are crew, scoop, and v-neck choices and short, elbow and long sleeves so you can use this pattern no matter what season you’re in.

I want to wear this version every. single. day. I literally almost cried when I had to take it off. It’s so darn soft and lovely. I used this modal jersey from Cali Fabrics. It was my first time sewing modal and now I want a whole wardrobe of it. It’s a bit thicker than rayon spandex and so much softer. The drape is amazing and it’s just thick enough to glide over all the little lumps and bumps. It sewed up so nice and easily too! Excuse me while I go buy a million more yards…

I’ve done a handful of v-necks in my day and they still always intimidate me. They take a little longer than a basic crew or scoop neck but are so flattering and well worth the little extra time. I love the depth of this one- not too low for my super modest tastes.

This version is about as basic as it gets. Everyone needs a good white tee in their wardrobe and this one is perfect.

I used a white double brushed polyester for this version. I love the drape and thickness of this fabric. It’s also super soft and plush. The only drawback of dbp is that it doesn’t breath as well as a natural fiber. I still wear dbp on most days, only avoiding it on super warm days where I’ll be outside in the heat for extended periods.

Make sure you hop on over to the Love Notions shop. Take the short and sweet survey in the listing and you’ll get a coupon code upon completion. Super easy and you’ll be whipping up your new favorite Classic Tees in no time!

Chalk and Notch Pixie Tee and Dress

Gabriela at Chalk and Notch does such a great job at making me feel like a million bucks! Her patterns are always on trend with classic lines and great details. The new Pixie Tee is no exception.

The best part- This pattern is free for a limited time for Chalk and Notch newsletter subscribers, just make sure you sign up before Sunday, June 24th. Hurry over here and click the little Newsletter sign up in the left top corner. Easy Peasy! Do it now so you don’t forget, you will not want to miss out on this one!

This pattern is super versatile and so cute. There are hem band and hem tie options and multiple sleeve lengths. There are also top and dress lengths. You can make a comfy knit tee dress, chic date night top, and cozy sweatshirt all from the same pattern. I chose to do the hem tie, short sleeve, top version and love, love, love it!

I used a beautiful double brushed polyester from Raspberry Creek Fabrics (this print is currently not available but there are a ton of other cute options!). I love the weight and drape of it for this pattern. There are pattern pieces and instructions for making your own woven ties but there is also an option for ribbon ties. I used a pretty velvet ribbon for mine and love the texture it adds.

My plan as I sewed this top was to wear it styled exactly like this. Who doesn’t love a good jeans and tee combo? I love that this feels a little elevated than my basic momiform and would love to make a couple more.

I tried this tee on right before heading out the door for church and just really didn’t want to take it off! I threw on a skirt and loved that I was able to easily dress it up too.

I can’t wait for you to see all the tester versions. There was a huge variety and each one was so cute! Cozy french terry versions, pretty dresses, and fun fabric combos.

So did you get all signed up?!! Make sure you head to Chalk and Notch so you can grab this as soon as it’s released. Such a fun new pattern!

Watch my Instagram feed for a chance to win a Chalk and Notch pattern of your choice too!

Love Notions Willow Wrap Dress

The Love Notions Willow Wrap Dress (affiliate link) is new and improved!

This post contains affiliate links. In return for purchasing through my links, I receive a small portion of each sale.

The pattern features a dress and peplum length, optional bodice gathering or pleats, two neckline depths, and multiple sleeve options. There’s even an optional neckline ruffle that is so pretty! Like all Love Notions patterns, it’s available in sizes XS-XXXL and is so flattering on all figures.

I sewed up a size small with elbow sleeves (no surprise there) and a pleated bodice. I also chose the higher neckline. I used a gorgeous Art Gallery cotton spandex knit, Lantana in Cobalt from Katarina Roccellla’s Mediteraneo collection, that I got from Raspberry Creek Fabrics. I love the weight and drape of Art Gallery knits and it worked so well with this pattern.

I have been hesitant in the past to try wrap dresses, thinking they just weren’t right for my figure. Most wrap dresses seem to be cut really low and that just doesn’t suit me. I knew I could trust Tami at Love Notions to make a pattern that was both modest and flattering on all body types. I was nervous to try on the finished dress but fell instantly in love!

The shaping of the bodice and a-line skirt are so nice. I measure into a medium at the waist but didn’t grade out because of the flare of the skirt and I like the finished look. I will grade out next time for my arms- I always forget to do that! This fabric is nice and stretchy though so I will still wear this a ton. I actually think my next version will have the flutter sleeves. They make this dress so sweet and feminine.

I’ve also talked in the past about my plethora of unworn knit dresses in my closet. I think this dress is dressy enough for church and other formal functions. The bonus of it being super comfortable means I’ll reach for it again and again. I’m planning to get lots of wear out of it!

You can grab the Willow Wrap Dress on sale today and tomorrow for just $6 then it will be $8 through Monday, June 4th.

Cotton + Steel Fringe Dress

I think I’ve died and gone to dress heaven! This dress is seriously everything I could possibly want in a garment; comfortable, chic, on trend, and makes me feel absolutely amazing!

I was lucky enough to be part of a fashion show at UQSM (Utah Quilting and Sewing Marketplace) and the generous folks at Cotton + Steel sponsored our show. It was so fun to shop their giant collection of fabrics. I struggled picking something from all their amazing lines. I’m a sucker for the Rifle Paper Co. lines but knew they’d be well represented by the other ladies in the show. I knew I wanted a rayon and fell hard for this pretty butterfly print from Melody Miller’s Flutter line. I think that it’s bold and subtle all at once. The colors are so very me and the print is a little different from my normal floral, stripes, or gingham but still not too crazy. It feels very seasonless to me too and I’ll wear it all year round, with sandals in warm weather and booties and a cardigan come fall.

I was beyond impressed with the weight and feel of this fabric. It sewed up easily and the drape is just beautiful. I’ve been spoiled working with it and now can’t wait to use it again.

I sewed up the Fringe Blouse and Dress from Chalk and Notch using the maxi tutorial from the Chalk and Notch blog. Why have I not sewn up this pattern before now?!!! I am so in love with it! It was such a fun sew. The instructions are fantastic and the finishing is superb. It was also a fairly quick sew, I was able to make it up in a day full of lots of family interruptions. I did view B, the popover version, and already have a view A set aside and ready to go.

I added the ties to the back darts and I love the little bit of shaping they give.

I was honestly a little nervous that this style would look a little ‘maternity’ on my body type. I’m very rectangle with no chest and a belly and it’s really easy for tops and dresses to accentuate those features. This pattern did the exact opposite in my opinion. The lower neckline draws the eye up and the ties and waist shaping actually give me the illusion of a waistline. The waistline gathering isn’t bulky and hits at that sweet spot of my natural waist. I’m so glad to have given this style a try and now will fill my closet with this pattern and similar styles!

Can I get a little real with y’all? I know my job as a sewing blogger and pattern promoter is to look pretty and tell you all the great things about my latest sews. Part of that ‘job’ is taking fancy pictures of myself and posting for all the web to see. I wish I could let you all see me as I sit here in my jammies writing this, having spent a totally lackluster day running errands like oil changes, grocery shopping, and soccer games. The sunglasses in all my pictures are to hide the undereye circles from the lack of sleep and also the fact that I have an uncanny ability to close my eyes each time the shutter goes off. You rarely see back shots because I have a silly insecurity about my elbows… I think staring at pictures of yourself can bring out all kinds of funny negative body thoughts. It is fun to pretend to be a beautiful supermodel for a few minutes but just know that most of us in front of the camera are dealing with the same insecurities and daily life that you are. I wouldn’t trade the everyday moments of motherhood for anything!

It takes a really amazing garment though to really make me feel like a million bucks and this dress does just that. It hits that sweet spot of feeling like your most comfortable pajamas while looking like a chic garment. Doesn’t get any better!

Category: Sewing for Women