Dance Shorts

After much asking from the girls, we enrolled them in a summer dance program so they could finally be like Angelina Ballerina.  But they're not only learning Ballet, but also Tap, Jazz, Modern, and Hip-Hop.  

In all their classes but Ballet, they are allowed to wear dance shorts and go barefoot.  They were pretty excited to do that, but I wasn't about to buy one more piece of dance clothing.  (dance is expensive!)  After staring at the shorts for sale in the studio, I decided I could totally just draft some myself.  But then Selvage Designs (for Baste+Gather) just happen to release a free pattern that was perfect - the Summer Shorties!

Don't you love their expressions?  Yeah, she can't help herself from making ridiculous faces throughout class too.  

These shorts are the perfect length and rise for them.  I've made a few because they require little fabric and are quick to sew.  I think they make great shorts for under dresses, dancing (obviously), gymnastics, pjs, and swim shorts.  

A few weeks ago I bought a rash guard set that was perfect in shirt size but the bottoms were way too large.  So I used the summer shorties pattern to make some swim bottoms.  Since it's white swimsuit fabric, I sewed a double layer of the fabric to prevent it being see through when wet.  Also, instead of installing exposed elastic at the waist like the pattern, I increased the rise so I could encase some swimsuit elastic.  

The pattern worked great for these swim bottoms, but white is just not the way to go for a kid at the beach.  By the end of the day there wasn't a place on her that wasn't caked in salt or sand, which stained the fabric.  So I'll just have to make some more in a different color (probably black).

The girls also love wearing the shorts with their soccer shirts.  It's pretty adorable.  

These are DC united soccer shirts.  We need some USA ones (or Brazil!).

Anyone else watching the game today?  Lets Go USA!

Cat Staple Dress

This dress was a long time coming.  Months (maybe a year?) ago I came across a bunch of Staple dresses online and fell in love.  But was still hesitant to purchase the pattern.  Why?  Because it's a pretty simple pattern and I was pretty sure I could just draft something myself.  So confident in my abilities, ha.

Well maybe I could draft something, but it would not be as perfect as this pattern.  I purchased it as part of the Perfect Pattern Parcel #3 bundle (great bundle!).  I can't say enough great things about the pattern.  I would recommend it to anyone thinking of making something for themselves for the first time.  It is a pretty simple sew, but creates a flattering dress with refined finishes to the neckline and sleeves.  I had absolutely no time with the seam ripper with this pattern, which most likely makes me love this dress even more.

I went with the high-low hem even though the dress is made with quilting cotton because it just looked too cool.  It doesn't flow as well as an apparel fabric would, but I LOVE this fabric.  It's by Cloud 9 (Sunnyside Gray) and available at JoAnn Fabrics.  I bought 3 yards of it a while back knowing I would make something for myself to wear even though it's quilting cotton.  The cat and floral print is so beautiful and makes me happy.  There aren't just gray cats in the print (can you spot them?) but they are what I see first when I look at the print.  Yeah, I'm a cat lady and this won't be the last cat print I wear :)

Or the last Staple dress I make....

Pneuma Tank

Recently I feel like there has been a lot of chatter about how great Papercut Patterns are.   I decided to check out their website when looking for some patterns to treat myself to for my birthday.  When I did, I came across one of their new patterns that just called to me - the Pneuma Tank. 

Ages ago I had pinned some yoga tanks just like it that I was planning to figure out how to draft myself, but why bother when the work has been done?  

The pattern is basically a sports bra with a flowy knit tank attached.  The tank nicely skims the body so that it's comfortable and great for both yoga or running.  

I love the criss-cross strap back, but I had the most difficult time finding the bra strapping that is recommended.  I saw a couple places online that I may try, but for this tank I lucked out and found 2 yards of black at my local JoAnn Fabrics (in the trim by-the-yard section).  I bet fold over elastic could even work, though the strapping is way easier to add. 

I also love the scooped hemline that allows for just enough coverage.

I can't wait to get more bra strapping to make another.  It's a pretty straight forward sew.  It's also already super hot here so this is nice and breezy to wear when fast walking jogging outside.  Hello weird tan lines!

Pleated Pencil Skirt

I have a lot of new things I've been sewing to share this week, but first up is this newly released pattern from Delia Creates!  The pleated pencil skirt.

I love this skirt!!!  I've made myself a pencil skirt before by using my measurements, but it wasn't nearly as flattering as this pattern.

The skirt hugs the body from the natural waist down to just below the knee.  It's form fitting yet movable in.  There are two darts in the front, and two in the back with a kick pleat.

Who knew kick pleats were so simple?!?!  Really, I've always thought they were really complicated but it was no prob.

I was a lucky tester for this pattern and wasn't sure if the fit would be perfect for my body type the first time around so I used some strange fabric from a pile I have inherited from my husband's grandmother.  The fabric is woven with absolutely no stretch and frays like crazy when cut.  It's home decor-like weight and kinda looks like textured leather.  I wish I knew what it was cause it's pretty cool, but the tag on it was in Japanese (really) so who knows.

Did I mention the skirt is lined?  I used to think that lining skirts and dresses was annoying and a hassle but lately I've realized it really is so much better in quality when you add lining to the garment.  Plus it's sometimes easier to construct with lining than without.  I feel like I'm always learning and refining my sewing, which is great!

Anyway - go check out Delia's versions of the pattern here.  The floral one is just gorgeous!

Flannel Negroni - Just in time for...Summer?

Ever love and hate a sewing pattern at the same time?  Yeah, that's how I feel about the Negroni shirt.

Construction of this shirt started several months ago in December.  It was a Christmas gift for my husband.  Good thing it wasn't his only present, because this project was a fail.  Lets go back 6 months...

It seemed okay at first...I worked really hard matching the pattern of the flannel and cut the back and pockets on the bias for some interest.  After spending over 10 hours (probably more) constructing the pattern ever so slowly, I was sure I had made the best thing ever.

The collar was awesome, I had made perfect sleeve plackets and there were nicely sewn flat felled seams everywhere.  My machine magically sewed 9 buttonholes without jamming up.  I tried it on and wished it was in my size (maybe I'll make an Archer now?).  I was so happy about this shirt - until my husband tried it on.

Turns out I had made the shirt with two left sleeves.  Doh!  How could I have overlooked that?!?!

Another major mistake - the button holes were placed down the front over an inch too far from where they should have been.  This made the button placket turn into a giantly weird front flap.

Doesn't seem like a lot of mistakes to fix, but the shirt was finished.  Everything was nice and crisp and the pattern matched beautifully.  I didn't want to touch it.  But the shirt was unwearable.  So after 6 months of giving it the side eye as it sat near my cutting area to be redone, I decided to tackle it.

Now it sports a left and a right sleeve, and has a fixed (but not quite right) button placket.  I didn't change how far over the shirt overlapped, I just sliced off the extra flap, ironed the sides under and then topstitched it down.

Even after the fixes, it turns out the shirt is still just a wearable muslin (at least I hope it gets worn) because the sleeve length and shoulder placement is a little big.  I plan to try the pattern again in the short sleeve version once I find some shirting fabric I like.  Next time should be a breeze, right?  At least I sure learned a lot, and dipped my toes into a little more men's sewing.

The Maia Dress

So... I was pretty dang excited a couple weeks ago when I received an email from Kate of See Kate Sew saying that she was testing a collection of women patterns and that I could pick one to try!  I had signed up to do so a while ago but didn't think I'd get the chance.  I love her style and am amazed at how she keeps cranking out creative pattern after pattern.  Anyway, I chose to test the Maia Dress/Top.

The dress consists of a fitted bodice that stops mid bust and continues on with a gathered skirt.  It also has a retro feel with a mod round collar that meets at the center back.  The skirt is a bit flowy, (see below) and I prefer to belt it to control looking extra wide with this wacky tribal-stripe printed crepe de chine I found at JoAnn Fabrics.  Looking at the entire Garden Party pattern collection now, I think it would be best to pair very spring-like and airy pastel fabrics with the patterns in the future.

A close up of the collar and fabric...

This was the first time I've used crepe de chine and I absolutely love it!  It's easier to sew with than rayon challis (which I love to wear) and has the same weight and feel to it.  I bought a few other prints that I can't wait to sew with.  

The Garden Party Collection of Women's patterns by See Kate Sew is being released today!  Check it out!!!  I have my eye on the Emaline (that bow!) and Olive.

Sew-a-bration of Womanhood (Maritime Shorts and Scout Tee)

I'm honored to be a part of the Sew-a-bration of Womanhood sewing series by the Shaffer Sisters and Call Ajaire.  I follow many of the blogs by the ladies that are participating and am inspired by them daily.  I've even discovered several new blogs to add to the reading list!

For my post, I went in circles on what I would sew up.  One thing I knew for sure ~ it had to include floral.  I'm obsessed with floral prints and have been stockpiling them since winter.  I planned on some floral pants (how awesome but possibly bad would that be?); however, with summer quickly upon us, I realized I was severely lacking in shorts.  Yay!  A chance to try out a pattern I was eyeing - the Grainline Maritime Shorts.

I'm so happy with these shorts!  Anyone else have the most difficult time shopping for shorts?  I dread it - they're either too short in length, not right in the rear, or just boring.  When I find a pair that works I usually buy three.  

I measured a size 10 that surprisingly fit!  I was sure I'd need to grade out to a bigger size from the waist.  I have a lot of extra in my rear and legs which is part of why I have trouble finding the perfect pair.  I only made one change to the pattern after making a muslin - that was to change the pocket piece and pocket lining into one pattern piece.  I couldn't get the pocket to keep from bunching the way it was supposed to be sewn, so that solved the issue.  

Sorry for the rear shot, but you gotta see all the angles!  The floral print (cotton sateen from JoAnn Fabrics) is a little busy and kinda hides the interesting back pockets that I think are perfectly placed.  

The most difficult part of sewing these shorts was not the functioning fly as I expected.  That was cake compared to sewing the simple waistband on.  It takes forever to wrap my head around which sides of the pattern pieces should face up and where the right and left goes.  Every time I sew one.  Practice should make perfect though, right?  I plan on making a few more in some neon twill.

And when thinking of what to pair with the floral shorts, I immediately remembered all the stripe and floral looks I've been seeing lately.  But I'm more of a polka dot person so I went with that and made a Grainline Scout Tee.  

I wish I had tried this pattern sooner!!!  I have a large collection of woven fabrics that I'd love to turn into tops, but I can never decide on a pattern to use.  This top was super simple to sew.  And sometimes you just need to sew something that's not gonna give you too much trouble.  (Seriously, any beginners out there should give it a go.)

I hope I've inspired you to go sew something for yourself!  It can be easier than you think if you pick the right pattern (as in something without a lot of large fabric pieces to wrangle), and so satisfying for the soul.  Check out the other awesome women participating in the series below.

The Life Of A Compulsive Crafter | Serger Pepper | House of Estrela | sewVery | Our Busy Little Bunch

Modern Handmade | Golden Rippy | Sew & Tell with Mama Eggo | Shawnta Sews | Fishsticks Designs
Ali Cat & Co | Paisley Roots | Like a mother | Giggles & Beans | Call Ajaire
Shaffer Sisters | I Married Superman | A Jennuine Life | If Only They Would Nap | Once Upon a Sewing Machine

Naptime Creations | Pattern Revolution | Two Many | Rebel & Malice | Simple Simon and Company

SewingSober | Handmade Dress Haven | Daisy Chain Creations | Swoodson Says | I'm Feelin' Crafty So Cal Sewing Mom | Keep Calm and Carrion | DandelionDrift | The Crazy Tailor | Max California 

Falafel and the Bee | Lexi Made | Winter Wonderings | Kid Approved | Scientific Seamstress
Becca DuVal | Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop | The Berry Bunch | Little Kids Grow | leighlee
Feathers Flights | That's-Sew-Kari