Author: Riesha Nicolle

My name is La Riesha Simmons, family and friends call me Riesha. I began sewing in 2014. I currently sew mostly for myself with the exception of sewing a few things for family and friends.

Fabric Mart Photo Challenge a Day

Hello Hello,

 

I recently participated in the Fabric Mart Photo Challenge a Day as a way to get back into my sewing hobby, well I won the 3rd place prize today. My prize was 2 free patterns from  The Fabric Mart Store. Yay! I selected 2 of the Closet Case Patterns – Ginger Skinny Jeans and Nettie Dress and Bodysuit. I can definitely use both in my wardrobe.

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Doing this challenge made me realize what I love about sewing, what I want to do next, and what I want to do next. The Photo Challenge had a different prompt each day, some I had photos for already and some really made me think about what that prompt meant. Below you will find some my favorite prompts.

 

Day 1: This is me (Selfie)

That’s me Riesha. I work a regular job for the State of California, I am a runner and fitness junkie, and I LOVE to sew.

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Day 7: Early Make eb05649c-7413-4fd8-96c9-7dbee1e2ae70-2

 

Day 15: Tried and True

I love, love, love this pattern. Did I say how much I love this pattern. Simplicity 8379

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Day 16: My Style

Maxi Dress all day long is my style. I love a good Maxi Dress

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Day 21: Next

I have so many projects that I want to complete and hoping I can get to them in the next few weeks. I have so much planned between now and the end of October that I will be squeezing in as much time in my Sewing Studio as possible. Here are a few of what I have pulled out so far and I know the list will change.

 

Thanks Fabric Mart for having such a fun photo challenge. I look forward to other challenges you may have in the future.

Bye for now, time to go Sew Something!!!

 

McCall’s 6700 Misses’ Dress and Belt

I fell in love with the flowing photo on this envelope packet a few years back. I have had this pattern which seems like forever and finally I cut it, it sat for about 2 weeks, as I searched my stash for the perfect fabric. I shop my stash a lot, it’s a large stash and I am trying my best to sew it down. So far it’s working.  I think because it doesn’t all fit in my sewing space anymore.

 

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I did have to adjust the bodice, so that there wouldn’t be any accidents of anything falling out the front. Overall I love the outcome. I did not add the shoulder ties or the back neck tie. It would have been easy to add bought, but it was a personal choice for me. img_5951

Pattern Description: Misses’ Dresses and Belt

Pattern Size: 8-16

Did it look like the photo on the envelope? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow: Yes

What did you like or dislike about the pattern: I liked that it was easy to follow and the dress fit.

Fabric Used: ITY Tie Dye Knit from Michael Levine’s in Los Angeles, CA

Pattern Alterations: I did not add the shoulder or the back neck tie, personal choice, and I had to cut off 4″ from the length. As you can see I am not very tall.

Would you make this again? Yes, I plan to in a solid color.

Would you recommend this pattern to others to sew? Yes

Conclusion: A great pattern for such a simple, but classy maxi.

McCall’s 6700 Front
McCall’s 6700 Back

 

McCall’s 7406 Misses’ Dress

Are you ready for summer? Well even if you aren’t it’s here. As I write this post it is a mere 101 degrees outside. It’s hot and it is only the second day of summer. We are in for a long HOT Summer. This dress is a cool and easy to make pattern.

I made View D last summer, the weather turned cold when I was almost finished and it was put into the Unfinished Object basket. I used the Guided Sew Along tutorial with Leslie C. Bentley over in the Facebook group The Sewcial Place. She gives simple and clear instructions in all of her videos. Check it out if you have time.

I went back through the basket a month or so ago and pulled out a few projects to finish. This one was on the top of my list, as orange seems to be my go to color. I finished the trim and the hem on it and it is ready to wear this summer.

I left it on the longer side, I usually trim off the length as I am on the shorter side, but I plan to wear wedges with this one. It can be dressed up or down. With the flow of this material I want to keep it dressy. Happy Sewing Everyone.

Goodbye Valentino Ready to Wear Challenge 6 month update

It has been 6 months since I joined the Goodbye Valentino Ready to Wear Challenge. I thought it would befitting that I provide you with a half way mark update. Well, I La Riesha Simmons have NOT, I repeat have NOT, bought one single item of ready to wear clothing during this time. I am so proud of myself. Before joining this challenge I would purchase something clothing related at least 4-5 in a month. That’s just ridiculous. My shopping was more of a want and not a need.

With this challenge I have paid off some credit card bills I created, I am able to save more, and the best benefit of all is that I am sewing more and learning new things about my sewing machine, the Babylock Aria, that turned one year’s old this month. I just love her. Happy Birthday Aria.

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As you can tell I am enjoying every single minute that I get to sew or share my creations on my blog, instagram, and facebook. I am proud of myself, if I can’t be proud of myself, I can’t expect anyone else to be proud of. I am my own cheering squad. 🙂

So, what have I made during these last 6 months? Well here are my makes so far for 2018. There are lots more to come, some easy, some intermediate, and I have my eye on an advanced piece that for sure will help me to increase my skills.  Happy Sewing Everyone.

Summer 2018 Pattern Haul Part 2

Here is Part 2 of my Summer 2018 Pattern Haul. My goal is make at least 2 per month. Lately I have been sewing a lot and I am really enjoying my time in my space.

McCall’s 7778 Misses’ Dresses, Romper and Jumpsuit

View D, once again it’s another Jumpsuit. I am so in love with them right now. I am going for the longer version. This version can be dressed up or down. I don’t have a color of fabric in mind for this one, but if I could find this golden canary yellow, that would be fabulous. The suggested fabrics for this pattern are  Linen, Cotton Blends, Challis, and Stable Knits.

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McCall’s 7773 Misses” Dresses

The multiple variations of backs on this pattern is what caught my eye.  If I had to pick a favorite View B would get my vote. I just ordered and received a black and white polka dot fabric from Fabric.com. It is a Stretch ITY Jersey Knit Dot Black and white, on sale for $5.68 per yard. It has an amazing feel to it. The suggested fabrics for this pattern are Moderate Stretch Knits (35% Cross Grain):  Ribbed Knit, Cotton Knits, Jerseys, and Interlock.

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McCall’s 7775 Misses’ Dresses

View B would be my choice for this one. It has a fun summer vibe to it, that can be dressed up for any special occasion event. Although this is not a super fancy dress, it will be my Segway into maybe formal wear. Let’s hope I can master this, as I want to improve on my skills to start making more pieces that are strictly out of my comfort zone. The suggested fabric choices for this pattern are Crepes, Crepe De Chine, Stable Knits, Cotton Blends.

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These patterns and the Patterns from my Summer 2018 Pattern Haul Part 1 post will definitely keep me busy this summer. We have already reach the 100 degree mark for weather here in California and there are more to come, so I will be in my sewing studio with the Air Conditioner running, working away at my creations. Happy Sewing Everyone.