Ever since Adrianna mentioned she was working on a denim skirt, I swear I had been checking and rechecking my email for the testing call. And when it finally came, I rushed to reply “YESSSS” never mind that it’s summer with two crazy kids around, I even had my in-laws, and my husband’s brother’s family staying over!!! Who in their right mind would agree to test? but it’s a Hey June pattern! and every single pattern test that I’ve participated in for Adrianna, has helped me level-up in my sewing skills. I have learnt so much from her patterns, and her patterns are designed and explained such that you can dive into them with blind faith, even if you think you’re in over your head. That is exactly what I did with the Sandbridge skirt.

I printed, cut and proceeded to sew reading every word of every sentence in the tutorial and what do you know I ended up with a denim skirt! with pockets! bartacks and topstitching! and a real fly with zipper! all in one attempt! So gratifying I tell you!

Okay now that I have finished fangirling (almost) here’s some details: The Sandbridge skirt is a casual raw-hem skirt which come in two lengths, mid-thigh and just above the knee. The pattern does include instructions for a regular turned up hem as well. It includes traditional five pockets, a functional zipper fly, back yoke, and belt loops. Recommended fabrics for the Sandbridge skirt are stretch or non-stretch bottom weight fabrics such as denim, corduroy, twill, velvet, or sateen.

For my sandbridge, I chose a medium weight non-stretch denim from JoAnns, and made a size 2 with some minor adjustments. I took out 2″ from the back yoke and waistband. Adrianna has a sew along on her blog, and it is incredibly helpful in understanding and altering the pattern to get you the perfect fit.

I took an entire week sewing this in really short stretches because family… but it actually comes together rather quickly, and I enjoyed all the top stitching. My edge-stitching foot got used and loved a ton, seriously it is easy as pie getting uniform double top-stitched lines when you use it.

I only wish my machine could have handled sewing the belt loops but after 3 wonky attempts, I chose to leave them out and the rivets, my next one (yes there is a next one in the works) will certainly have those extras.

You have to check out all the amazing tester versions here! so good! so professional! Grab a copy of your pattern here (Not an affiliate link, I am just being helpful)

Happy Sewing!!!

Hiya folks! I am so excited to be participating in the SisBoom Pattern Co Upcycle Tour today! The challenge was to use only repurposed or up cycled fabric to create any SisBoom Pattern Co garment. I have been repurposing fabric since I first started to sew or rather practiced sewing by cutting into my husband’s shirts since I learnt to sew from following blogs like Dana’s Made Everyday and Megan Nielson’s  maternity top DIY tutorials. Here are some hideous pictures of me (no thanks to pregnancy hormones) so you can see that I am not just making stuff up 😉

While my regular fabric stash is nothing to boast of, my collection of to-be-upcycled shirts is pretty huge!! #hoardersanonymous? 😀

So anyway, I jumped in as soon as the tour theme was announced and shortlisted about 3 shirts out of which i picked this blue chambray meaning to embellish it with some white hand embroidery.

Lol this picture just cracks me up!

My daughter needs some light and breezy dresses for this hot weather we’ve been having so the Maddie Top/Dress Pattern was just perfect.

I used the back of the shirt for the front and the front with the button placket for the back of the dress.

This pattern is so simple and adorable! Despite the simplicity of the pattern, the instructions are detailed and very well explained. I like how the steps are not rushed through, and really appreciate all the tips such as being careful when pressing the seams on the interfaced side so as not to burn the interfacing (My iron’s battle scars are proof of the number of times I have made this mistake).

I always say this but I really wish I’d bothered to take a picture of the inside because I love how neat it looks. The attachment of the ruffle is a bit different than what I am used to but i love how clean it looks. The sleeves are fully lined and clean finished too, though there’s a quick option to finish them by bias binding.

My original plan was to hand embroider big white flowers along the hem but when you’re trying to finish a project one day before your post is due while hosting the one thousand relatives you have at home, you have to settle for something simpler. So instead, I cut around the flowers from a crochet lace and hand sewed them to the front of the dress.

I left the back of the dress plain but changed out the buttons from the boring ones to these pearly ones 🙂 Don’t they look cute?

Sewing the Maddie Dress and adding all the little details to it has been the perfect excuse to get out of my sewing rut. So satisfying to transform that boring unused shirt to a darling summer dress for my little!

How is your summer sewing coming along?

In full disclosure, I am not much of a Tank Top wearer but when Gabriela designs a pattern, I have to  need to try it! So I went ahead and made a Pony Tank and then a dress version as well. Who knows I might be turning into a tank top wearer after all.

The Pony is a swingy tank top with an A-line shape and a curved hem. As with all Chalk and Notch patterns, it is expertly drafted, and clearly explained.

The recommended fabrics for this pattern are knit fabrics with good stretch and drape such as rayon jersey, modal jersey or bamboo jersey. I used this Poly rayon linen spandex from So Sew English fabrics, it has beautiful drape and good stretch and recovery. I got this fabric last year and ever since I saw the first peek of the Pony Tank knew I had to use this fabric.

This was an earlier version after which the armscye was lowered and the sleeve bands slightly lengthened to get rid of the pulling that you see in my version of the pattern. The length was also increased by about 3″ so the final version is not as short as mine.

In an earlier muslin version I made, I botched up the stripe matching majorly. I love how that tank fits me but the side seams are quite an eye sore, so don’t be like me and make sure your stripes match BEFORE you start cutting into your fabric.

Despite the short length, I love my new Pony Dress with its perfectly matched stripes 🙂 I might have mentioned only about one million times before but Gabriela’s patterns are the most amazing patterns! From the fit of the garment to the design and construction tutorial, every one of her patterns is flawless!

The pattern comes in sizes 0 – 18 and it is layered which means you can select and print only the size you need. It also includes a print shop copy. More details on the pattern and some fantastic Pony tank and dress versions here.

If you subscribed to the newsletter before June 9th (you would have received the coupon code on June 11th), today is the last day to get a copy of your pattern for free using that coupon code in the newsletter. Another option is to buy the pattern while it’s still on sale which ends today! Gabriela is generously offering a free pattern to one lucky reader here so comment below and i’ll pick a random winner to get a free copy of the Pony Tank & Dress!

Happy Sewing!

So this week, I had a fun opportunity to participate in a pattern test for Sansahash Designs where the fabric for the test was provided by So Sew English Fabrics. The latest pattern by Mgeni, the designer at the newly started Sansahash Designs is the Lilah Top and Dress.

It is a simple empire waisted dress that is designed to be made in both knit and woven fabric. The woven version has a front button down bodice with placket for easy wearability. The back bodice has a racerback neckline that is going to be perfect for summers. Both versions are fully lined.

My dress wearing princess has just started bicycling, and with what persistence! It looks like we might be getting rid of the training wheels sooner than we thought. In lieu of her new hobby, i figured i’ll make a top version to wear over jeans and leggings for when she goes biking (lol)

I used a really sturdy stretchy ponte knit for the bodice and a cotton jersey (doodles collection from Joanns) for the skirt version.

She was not keen on pictures that day, but we managed to get a few shots.

Here’s the dress version of the Lilah! This floral french terry that I received from So Sew English Fabrics has the perfect drape and stretch for this pattern. I love the vintage feel of the muted blue and coral colors in this fabric.

It’s a dress with lots of fabric and lots of twirl! Need I say more? She loves it! She actually loves everything I make for her (wonder how long this phase will last). The instructions to construct this garment are well explained and illustrated. Because it’s fully lined, the neckline and armholes are cleanly finished with no itchy raw edges inside. The fully gathered skirt is stabilized by clear elastic and it really helps in keeping the waistline seam straight with no sagging or pulling (the pattern includes instructions on how to attach it)

The Lilah Top and Dress pattern is layered and comes in sizes 6m to 12 years. It is currently on sale for only $6.00 until tomorrow May 5th 8am MST after which it will be available for $6.50 until Tuesday, May 9th.

You can join the Sansahash Designs Facebook group here for all the scoop on new patterns and sale information or if you just need some help or motivation to get started on your Sansahash patterns 🙂

Happy Sewing!!!

Hello and welcome to my stop on the Show your Stoff Blog Tour. This tour is all about showcasing Zierstoff Patterns by several different bloggers. This pattern company is new to me so I jumped at the chance to try out a new designer. As i was browsing through their patterns, the Kati waterfall dress and shirt caught my eye first. I have a much loved store bought shirt with the same drape neck, that I have once even tried to hack with uhh not so successful results. So I figured this was as good a chance as any to finally make a drape neck shirt.

The sizing was almost impossible to figure since the measurement chart doesn’t include standard bust, waist or hip measurements. It goes from sizes 158 – 42 (Kids’ M to Women’s L) and the measurement chart has a finished dress length measured from the neck to the hem based on which I picked the smallest size.  It ended up fitting great, although a tad short (I think).

It’s possible I am showing off my stripe matching skills here 😀

This rayon jersey that I found at my local store seems like it has good drape but that’s about it, I don’t really like how it lays, and sewing with it was not much fun either. But it works to show off that waterfall neck well so I guess it worked out okay.

This pattern is fairly simple and straightforward and I like how the shoulders seams are enclosed within the facing. The sleeves are turned in and hemmed.

When we were picking patterns for the tour (around January), it was really cold here, and I couldn’t imagine taking pictures of a sleeveless top so I chose the Delia Cardigan to go with it.  The cardigan has a scarf like collar that falls down the front in soft waves.

I chose this sparkly wine colored french terry fabric from my local Jo Anns for the Delia cardigan. It is so soft and drapes really well. The pattern does recommend using fabric with a double face. The sleeves can be finished with cuffs or folded under which is what i did. This pattern is fairly straight forward too, I had the same issue with picking a size but for the cardigan, I sized up and cut the kid’s L size so it would be easy to layer over tops. The pattern has instructions for finishing the back by folding under but the front of the cardigan is just serged perhaps so it can hang better? I didn’t serge it, but I am not a fan of raw edges so I think i’m gonna do a narrow hem to finish the front edges.

The cardigan comes with optional inseam pockets as well which I’ve come to realize I really really like so I made sure to add them. The instructions and notches for the scarf and the pockets and the general construction of the cardigan was well explained.

To see what other bloggers have made as part of the “Show your Stoff” Tour, don’t forget to click on the links below on the specified days. Zierstoff Patterns is also offering a discount to all readers through the month of April (see below for coupon code).

Monday April 10- Anne-Mari Sews,  Inspinration, Tenille’s Thread, Sew Cucio, Embrace Everyday

Tuesday April 11- Musings of A Seamstress, mahlicadesigns, Anna’s Heirloom Boutique,  Ronda B Handmade, FABulous Home Sewn

Wednesday April 12-  Thread and Scissors, Kaleidothought, Idle Sunshine, mahlicadesigns

Thursday April 13- Very Blissful, Sew A Piece of Joy, Zowie Zo, Nina Makes, Lulu & Celeste, Thread and Scissors.

Friday April 14- Tales of a Tester; Anne-Mari Sews; Bless, by Tone; Life Sew Savory; Needles to Say, Adventures with Bubba and Bug, Sprouting Jube Jube, Glitter in my Coffee

Saturday April 15- Sprouting Jube Jube, Musings of A Seamstress, Stitches by Laura; Tea, Dust and Stitches, Anna’s Heirloom Boutique, Ronda B Handmade

You can use the code MahlicaDesigns30 to save 30% off Zierstoff Patterns through the month of April.