Fashion
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How to Sew a Smooth Scalloped Hem
I made a wrap skirt from a UFO dress from 2017 (pattern is lost and I didn’t have some of the pieces anymore). Wanting to not be plain Jane about it, I decided to do a scalloped edge on the overlapping piece to add even more visual interest to an already punchy skirt. So if you wanted to make something with a scallop edge, I got you covered. Here’s how you do so: Interface the edge of the fashion fabric you are going to scallop. (I also serged, this is not necessary though) 2. Draw your scallops! I took a candle and used that to trace to make my scallops…
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Pattern Review: Simplicity 9233
Pattern Description:Misses’ tops with sleeve variations & neck closure with ties or elastic loop & buttons. Pattern Sizing:Sz. 16-24 (I cut a straight 18 though with how much ease there is, I could easily have cut a 16 with no worries) Were the instructions easy to follow?The instructions were simple, though this is a fairly standard construction. Nothing is really out of the ordinary. The only thing that was weird was sewing your gather stitches and then NOT gathering for another 12 steps. Lol. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?I LOVE the sleeves and the depth of the front slit. The lantern sleeves hide my hefty…
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Pattern Review: Vogue 9285
Pattern Description:Loose fitting top has back hook and eye closure and sleeve variations. Pattern Sizing:6-14 or 14-22; I cut an 18. Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?I made a number of alterations, but the bones of the shirt matched that of the picture. Were the instructions easy to follow?The instructions for the bishop sleeve were easy. Reading through the flared sleeve instructions were slightly confusing. The shirt comes together quickly though. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?The sleeve cuffs are dreadful, they are supposed to be one piece (I made them two to insert the…
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Science of Sewing: Enlarging a Sleeve
Enlarging a sleeve is something I have to do all the time! I don’t have the pencil arms patterns seem to think are normal, so I am constantly redoing the sleeves. I helps that I love a gathered sleeve head, that makes it even easier to alter. I’m working on a project that requires a rather fluffy sleeve. Having found no such pattern, I decided to make my own using an existing pattern as a base to alter to match. Note that there is some loft in the sleeve head – I’m interpreting that to be gathering. The forearm of the sleeve is also much wider than the bicep, so…
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Altering an Unflattering Dress
When I originally bought this dress from Ann Taylor, I didn’t inspect the fit as well as I should have. Totally my fault, I fell in love with the stripes and the shirtdress style combined, so I was blinded to the issues that were quite apparent that made the dress rather unflattering. While not too terrible, there were some serious issues. Circled in blue is the waist seam actually level. To do this, I had to pin up the back on the dress form otherwise it would sag in the back (highly improper for my body type unless it there is an empire in the front). This lead to a…
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Pattern Review: Simplicity 9104
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?It definitely did. Though I did make some rather major cosmetic changes. The construction minus those cosmetic changes was rather close to the pattern. I did completely change out the sleeves and added an underlining as well. Were the instructions easy to follow?Quite easy – this is actually a pretty simple dress! What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?I like how easy it is to fit the dress. I usually have to make a FBA, and it was simple to do this with just adding in an inch or so to…
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Pattern Review: Butterick 4790
Pattern Description:Misses Walk-Away Wrap Dress: Three pattern pieces, darted in front and back, with back waist and shoulder seams. Back wraps around to the front for a sheath-and-overskirt look. A: Contrast back and skirt. Bias tape finished edges.Circa 1952 Pattern Sizing:8-14 & 16-22. I made a 16 with a bust of 18. Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?For the most part. The skirt on the pattern envelope is much more stiff, but that’s all because of the fabrics I used. Were the instructions easy to follow?They were so easy that I read through just the pictures once and then…
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The Wedding Dress
Pattern: Vogue 8943 Pattern Description: Dress has bias shoulder and armhole binding, fitted bodice, scalloped lace-edged neckline, three-quarter length sleeves, waistband yoke, flared skirt and purchased ribbon belt. Fitted slip has shoulder straps, and side slits. A, B: French darts, underlined and back zipper. Pattern Sizing: 16 and then scaled down to fit. Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yup. Were the instructions easy to follow? Very easy – and exceptionally simple too, just a lot of precision. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the couture elements – finishing off the edges with lace trim and all the…
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The Wedding Dress
One fated day before we were even engaged, I decided to sew my wedding dress. While I have cursed and cried and screamed and bled, I could not have asked for or found a more perfect dress for me. Enjoy the show: What on earth was I going to make? What fabric did I want to use? How long did I want it to be? So many questions that literally needed an answer before I started even thinking about sewing my wedding dress. What I wanted: Tea-length, demure, full skirt, vintage feel, sleeves, a higher neckline or illusion neck, not white, and a hint of sparkles, but mostly lace. Good…
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Linen Petal Dress Creation
I have a few cuts of fabric that are solely dedicated for when I need a quick filler project to get my sewing fix. Yes, I am addicted, no, no help is needed. These two linen fabrics I’ve had for a while now, and finally decided to put this look together. The petal style skirt was inspired by a look of Michelle Obama’s a few years ago – I love the idea of scallops without the actual hem being curved. The visual interest of this is something that I don’t see in most clothing stores except very expensive ones – because the seams cannot be set by machine, they must…
