Category: Sewing

Getting ready for Return to Office

Well not sure when that is going to be as the date keeps changing. That is not a complaint, it allows me more time to get my wardrobe together for when that date does happen.

The Simplicity 8982 pattern is a great starter to get your SewJo flowing again, mine never left, but if you are stuck in a funk and want to sew something quick and cute, this one would work to satisfy both of those elements.

I like easy to style and easy to dress up or down patterns. This pattern has a dress, 2 tops with different sleeve variations, and 2 skirts of different lengths. I am not a fan of the skirt, made it in 2019 and it just does not fit my body type. It was not cute. I have seen other sewist wear the skirt and it looks good on them, but not on me.

I had enough of this pretty fabric left from a jumpsuit I made for my wedding anniversary dinner in 2021. There are a few scraps left which I may turn into earrings or a bag. Stay tuned for those items, still deciding.

This is the 3rd dress that I have made with this pattern and it makes me happy each time. I love the fit and it the simplicity of the pattern. You can view my review of the first and second dresses here. You will see the skirt on the mannequin (Brittany), she wore it well.

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Up next on the blog: Vogue 1754 Misses Cape

Fashion has two purposes: Comfort and Love. Beauty Comes when Fashion succeeds. -Coco Chanel-

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2021 Sewing Projects

Hello I hope everyone had a great holiday season. I know I am a week off, but I took some time away from the blog and also a little bit from social media, except for my business page. Just thought I would jump on and make a quick post showing all of the pieces I started and finished in 2021. Some of them are still not finished, that’s another blog post. LOL!!!

When writing this post and uploading photos, I was surprised at how much progress I have made with my sewing for 2021. I felt as though I didn’t sew a lot. Let’s see what 2022 has in store. I have a red wool cape that is almost complete and a dress that needs sleeves and hemming. Those will be finished by the end of the weekend. Have a great rest of the week and I’ll see you all next week. 

A little progress each day adds up to big results. ~Unknown

Part 2 – Sew September

As promised, here is Part of my Sew September collection. I made 5 garments and was able to pair them with each other to make a mini wardrobe collection for Fall/Winter. The first set I made was Vogue 1835, you can find the blog post here. The top and the leggings were an easy sew and a must make it again pattern. Great for running errands or dress it up with the right pair of shoes and accessories.

Piece #3, The Idra Hoodie Dress from Mood Sewciety. It is classified as a hoodie dress, but it wasn’t long enough for me to wear as a dress, so I made as a top. I am sure if I would have measured and extended the torso portion it would have been a great dress. I am seeing a lot of hoodie dress with thigh high boots, in the fashion world and I just love the look. This another easy sew and the instructions were straight forward and easy to follow.

Piece #4 Simplicity 8424 Leggings – If I had to pick this would be my favorite piece from this collection. It could have something to do with this fabulous fabric I used. The fabric is a knit that I have had in my stash for over 4 years, I rescued it from the fabric store and kept it on the shelf. I had no idea what I was going to make with the fabric when I purchased it, but when I saw this leggings pattern it was perfect. These leggings are versatile as well. They can be worn with boots or booties, sneakers or flats, a t-shirt or a sweater, the outfits are endless.

Piece #5 – Simplicity 8177 Misses’ Top Leopard Animal print, you can’t go wrong with animals matched with solids. I love animal prints to add to the simplicity of an all solid color outfit, for example the all black vogue outfit. This top can be worn with so many different bottoms, the possibilities are endless. I styled it with flats , but you can wear boots, flat sneakers, or even sandals to complete the look.

Here are all the pieces together as different outfits.

Cognac and Black Flats – Steve Madden

Blush Multi Color Sneakers – Steve Madden

Happy Sewing and Have a Fashion Forward Tuesday!!!

Part 1 Sew September

Vogue 1835 Misses Pants and Tops

Are you ready for Fall? I sure am. Fall is my favorite time of year. The trees change, the time changes, the temperatures are cooler, and I can finally wear my warm and comfy clothes.

For my first official Fall pieces I used Vogue 1835. Vogue describes this as a Misses’ top, pants, and slippers pattern. There are two top variations, short and long-sleeved. I choice the long-sleeved to prepare for the Fall and Winter months that we “should’ be getting in California. The weather today is a high of 75 degrees, which is still slightly warm for October.

I was able to cut the top and pants both in a medium. I was pleasantly surprised that I did not need to alter the length of these pants. I stand proudly at 4″11 tall and usually cut off at least 4′ from the length. I did taper the leg from the medium to the small my calf muscles are still under construction.

Pattern Description: Misses’ Tops, Pants, and Slippers

Pattern Sizing: XS – XXL I cute the M

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, it looks exactly like the pattern envelope photo.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes Super easy to follow the instructions. They were laid out and easy to understand.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked how versatile the pants are. I can dress them down with sneakers for running errands or dress it up with flats for brunch with the family.

Fabric Used: I used a Ponte Knit that was in my stash. I think I purchased it 2 years ago.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Although I cut the medium in the pants, I graded from the knee to ankle for a tighter fit. My thighs are fuller, which makes the medium fit from the knee up, but it was to loose from the knee down.

No alterations made on the top.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I will be sewing this again, in either a sweatshirt fleece or velour stretch for the Holidays for running errands.

Conclusion: Love the look, love the pattern, it is definitely one of my new favorites in the category of quick and easy to Sew.

Part 2 – Sew September

I will showcase how I styled these pieces for multiple looks to be wore on different occasions. Follow my blog get notified.

Thanks for stopping by. Make it a Fashion Forward Day!!!

Happy Anniversary

The hubby and I will be celebrating 24 years of marriage on September 12. We took an early vacation for 4 days down to Monterey, Ca, it’s a spot we both love. We spent the days eating good food, relaxing, walking the pier, and most of all enjoying each other. We both work full time and have other activities, so to not have to do anything was the best.

Few weeks before we left I asked my hubby to help me pick a pattern and fabric for my dinner outfit. We also enjoy a fancy meal at The Chart House on Cannery Row. He picked a fabric I had purchase from the August Nina Ramel Fabric Box and Simplicity 8426 Jumpsuit.

The evenings in Monterey can be a little cooler for me so I added the jacket from Simplicity 8177, fabric used was a black knit I had in my stash, to go with the jumpsuit. It worked out perfect and I loved how the whole look came together.

I added some red drop earrings, red belt, and red flat shoes to complete this look. I was so proud of this look and the hubby he loved it. He’s my biggest supporter. I love me some him. He also gets all the credit for all the photos of me on this trip. He was the best, coaching my poses, and also reminding me to smile. I think I’ll hire him for my photos, not sure he’s ready for that job.😂

Here’s to 24 more years of marriage. Happy Anniversary to us!!!