• Cosplay,  Pattern Reviews,  Tutorial

    Making of Mother Gothel’s Cloak

    I made this cape to go with a fan art version of the villain from Disney’s Tangled: Mother Gothel. For those who haven’t seen the movie, she wears a red dress and is sometimes featured wearing a dark blue/purplish cloak with a hood. I used McCalls 7886 to create the look. Read on to find out how I made the fabric and my review of the pattern. Pattern Description:Lined cape is gathered to neck band with hook and eye closure and has side arm openings and train. Hood is lined and has contrast ruffle. Purchased appliques. Pattern Sizing:XS – XL Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope…

  • Fashion,  Pattern Reviews

    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…

  • DIY,  Fashion,  Pattern Reviews

    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…

  • Fashion,  Pattern Reviews

    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…

  • Cosplay,  Pattern Reviews

    Renaissance Elsa: Simplicity 1773 Pattern Review

    When I decided to make a Renaissance Elsa, I knew I had to make her extravagantly simple. Which is no easy feat! Making sure this cosplay was balanced in color, cut, and styling was a great deal harder than I thought it would be. But check out my Making of Renaissance Elsa post for more information on that. This is the review of the pattern I used to create the look. Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once I was done sewing it?White dress: It did indeed, the shape was consistent with the envelope examples.Blue overdress: Heck to the no. After 6 muslins, I finally got…

  • Fashion,  Pattern Reviews

    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…

  • Pattern Reviews

    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…

  • Fashion,  Pattern Reviews

    Pattern Review: Butterick 6211

    FULL DISCLOSURE: I made a peplum top (just shortened the skirt to 6.5 inches long) to look like a banana. No joke. A banana. Yes, I am okay, no I don’t have 6 other fruits lined up (okay I lied, I’ve already done peach and strawberry–blueberry, orange, and lemon are next). Pattern Description:Pullover, front wrap dress (fitted through bust) has bodice back extending to side-front, skirt cut on crosswise grain, no side seams on bodice or skirt, concealed elastic with hook & eye closure, front button and hook & eye closing, narrow hem, and self-belt. Topstitching. Note: No provisions provided for above waist adjustment. Circa 1953 Were the instructions easy…

  • Fashion,  Pattern Reviews

    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…

  • Cosplay,  Fashion,  Pattern Reviews

    Pattern Review: McCalls 7718

    Pattern Description:Close fitting lined dresses have princess seams and strap variations. A: Contrast overlay. C, D: Uneven hemline, wrong side of fabric will show. Includes separate pattern pieces for A/B, C, and D cups. Pattern Sizing:6-22 with A/B, C, D cup sizing Fabric Used:The pattern fabric is quilting cotton from Spoonflower (I’m recreating a design so I needed exact fabric) and the overlay is poly voile from Fabric Wholesale Direct. Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?Yes, but with the alterations I made, it does have a different feel. Were the instructions easy to follow?I read through the instructions, and…