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The Princess Coat: Charm Pattern Review
I’ve always wanted to feel glamorous in the winter. Being bundled up in 27 layers of fabric isn’t quite that. You see, I’m from the desert of California; we measure heat waves above 100 degrees, not 90 like most of the country. Winter is a time when I freeze. While I have gotten more acclimated to the weather over the past decade, I still have troubles staying warm. Coats are a necessity but, like most of ready-to-wear clothing, they don’t fit me correctly based on my somewhat wonky proportions. To put a name to those “problems,” I’ll elucidate from the neck down: Back to being fabulous in winter! I’ve wanted…
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Making of the Aurora Flower Dress: McCalls 8078
When you have scrap fabric lying around collecting dust and being generally in the way, you have to find a way to use it. In this case, I had bought this magenta polyester voile for my Pre-Raphaelite Zelda’s cape. I ended up ditching the cape idea as it didn’t look cohesive. I was left with 4 yards of 118″ sheer fabric. After having it around for awhile, inspiration struck. I’ve always loved the sheer overdresses of the 1930’s, with interesting sleeves, unique seaming, and just aesthetically delightful looking. I set my brain on a path to find the perfect design for the dress. Originally I came up with a knife…
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Sew Chic Valentine Slip Sewing Pattern Review
I’ll be honest–perhaps too much so–I adore lace. All things lace. I just feel pretty and feminine and graceful in lace. For reference, my wedding dress featured TWO lace fabrics that overlayed. I LOVE lace. In no surprise, I wanted to make a lace adorned slip for myself to wear under all these dresses I make. I hate store bought ones, they’re made of fabric that ladders, are stifling hot, and are just kinda ugly. But what if I made my own? Then I could put all the lace on it I want and make it out of a light sturdy fabric. Alas, there was no pattern that I could…
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Making a Renaissance Elsa: The Details
I had an idea for a Renaissance Faire Elsa that I could wear in high heat and still be comfortable. I did some research and with the knowledge of what people tend to wear to Renaissance Faires from my years of going, I came up with a style that I have not made or worn to Faire. Landing on this “milkmaid” design, I then gathered materials. Considering that it can be 90 degrees Fahrenheit or more with 100% humidity, I needed a fabric that would wick sweat, help stay cool, and aid in bug repelling. Linen is the only fabric that fits that bill. If you’re wondering, linen is a…
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The Gatsby Dress: McCall’s 6318 Review
Pattern Description:Women’s lined dresses: Close fitting, lined dresses have side seam pockets. Pattern Sizing:Standard big 4, only goes up to a 20 instead of a 22 though. Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?The pattern is quite accurate to the drawing and envelope picture. The pleats and “wings” on the bodice are exactly as they look. Were the instructions easy to follow?The instructions are tricky. You’re working with inset corners, so it’s always a bit confusing. This pattern is not for beginners, it’s definitely for someone who has made a few dresses before that have more than just princess seams…
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Pattern Review: Butterick 6094
Pattern Description:Pattern: Butterick B6094 (patterns by Gertie) – Sleeveless dress has close-fitting, lined bodice, wide waistband, bateau neckline, and fold-back contrast facings. A: Flared skirt (cut on crosswise grain of fabric) and petticoat. B: Straight skirt. I made view A. Pattern Description:Pattern: Butterick B6094 (patterns by Gertie) – Sleeveless dress has close-fitting, lined bodice, wide waistband, bateau neckline, and fold-back contrast facings. A: Flared skirt (cut on crosswise grain of fabric) and petticoat. B: Straight skirt. I made view A. Look how pretty that brocade it! It just shines perfectly and adds enough visual interest to keep the dress intriguing while still remaining simple. Were the instructions easy to follow?The…
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Pattern Review: Vogue 8972
Pattern Description:Lined dress has close-fitting bodice, seam detail, skirt variations, and back zipper. Topstitching. Separate pattern pieces are included for cup sizes A, B, C, D. A, B and C: semi-fitted skirt, back hemline slit and stitched hem. B and F: unlined sleeves. D, E and F: narrow hem. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?I like that it comes with the different cup sizes (even though at a DD the C fits me best because of the curve). I hated a lot about this pattern and I think that mainly has to do with the fitting issues I had (explained below). Once I fit it, it…
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A Rose Petal Skirt
Taking inspiration from Dior and the 19th Century (specifically the mid 1860’s) I designed a skirt with petals that are short in the front and lengthen as they get to the back. These petals are more intricate than they appear, in fact, there are four layers of fabric to them: two types of organza, glitter tulle, and silk gauze. Each petal is made from a base of gold organza with a second layer of the iridescent organza. These bases were cut to the shape of the final petal. I sewed them together around the edge, but then added three rows of stitching from the top to the bottom spaced out.…
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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…
