Tag: pattern

Measure Fabric-Tartan Plaid Atlas Wrap Dress

Measure Fabric and Atlas Dress Pattern by Masin

Hello friends, It’s been awhile since I’ve been on here. Normally, you can find me on Instagram but today I am jumping back on here to share my latest. I’m SUPER excited to be collaborating with Measure Fabric on this post. I’ve been a huge admirer of the fabric shop for quite some time.

When it came time to decide on which fabric to choose, it took me forever because I loved so many print in the shop. I decided to start with the pattern and then choose the fabric. The fabric I decided on was The Rebecca Taylor – Italian Rayon Navy & White Tartan Plaid Twill . I love the simplicity of the print, drape and the weight of the fabric. For the pattern, I had been wanting to remake Atlas Dress by Masin since I made it the first time last year. They pair so well together! Together they give a casual vibe, an everyday kinda dress vibe and I for one can’t wait to wear it a lot!!

Rebecca Taylor – Italian Rayon Navy & White Tartan Plaid Twill

As I said before, I first made The Atlas Dress late last year and loved the fit and style. When I finished, I immediately knew I wanted to make another as soon as the weather started to warm up this year. Well, had the weather warmed up? Not really, we have been unseasonably cool here in the west coast. But, I am going to will it that way with a sleeveless dress. That usually works, right? HA!

Ok, here are some detail about the Atlas dress: Comes in sizes A-J, bust width 35″-54″ and waist 25″-46″. This pattern would be great for a confident beginner and up. It’s an easy to fit dress, as with this style of dress. There is also plenty of ease built into the garment. The dress comes with sleeves however, I choose to leave them off and use bias tape around the armhole. It’s a very simple hack using 1/2″ double bias tape. I hope you get the chance to make the Atlas Dress pattern!

Here are a few more fabric that I have been admiring from the Measure Fabric shop…

Deveaux – White Dobby Jacquard, Sally Lapointe – Blush Heavyweight Ponte Knit and NYC Designer – Swiss Dot Mesh 

I was truly honored to be asked to join the Measure Makers, as I high admiration for all the previous makers!! I am very grateful!!

Until next time

-Alexis

Marsha Style, Alexis Pants and Discount Code

Sewing the Alexis Trouser Pattern by Marsha Style.

When Taree reached out to me and told me she wanted to call her next pattern, The Alexis Pants, my first thought was why? Hahaha, kidding! I was on complete shock and was truly honored!!

On top of the great name is that are FREAKING SO CUTE!! Not to mention very on trend! I see slouchy pants in every RTW store and every fashion magazine.

I still can’t believe I am sewing pleats in my pants. I used to cringe when I saw pleats in pants. HA!

Little bit about the pattern before I share the 3 pants I. made… Available in sizes 2-22 (waist width 24″- 44″). The pattern calls for 2.7- 3.3 yards of 56″ fabric. The pattern is best for intermediate sewist. The pattern is best for woven fabrics like cotton, linen and wool.

As mentioned above, I made 3 pairs of pants. In each I made slightly different sizes.

The first pair of pants I made, I started with a size 8 in the waist and a size 6 in the waist. After my first fit check I took in the waist about an 1″ (basically a size 6). This was my very first pair before testing had started. My waist is 30″ and hips 36 1/2″.

WASHED LINEN – OATMEAL From Blackbird Fabrics

The 2nd pair I made I did cut a size 6 in the waist and hips.

Minerva Core Range Stretch Woven Viscose Twill Suiting Fabric

Last pair I made, I cut a size 6 in the waist and a size 4 in the hips for a tailored fit.

The Green Linen is from Terra Textilia.

Thank you for taking the time to read the blog! I have a special treat for you all! A 20% discount to use on your own Alexis Pants Pattern. Used code: ALEXIS20

Until next time,

-Alexis

FibreMood 13: Marion Dress Pattern

FibreMood has released their newest edition, Edition 13 is chock full of great patterns. There was actually too many to choose from that it took me two days to decide! I finally choose to sew the Marion dress because I had the perfect tulle fabric that was in need of a pattern. I also loved the two tiered skirt with the top tier shorter then the bottom. I have made many two tiered skirts but I really love that this top tier is much shorter then the bottom tier. It’s a trend you can find in many RTW stores.

Sadly I have to tell you that the fabric I used was purchased from Blackbird Fabrics awhile ago and they do not carry it anymore. You can check out Mood Fabrics or Etsy for their embroidered tulle. The nice part about working with tulle is it does not fray. So no need the hem!

Overall, kept the pattern as is except for the skirt width and doing an elastic casing on the sleeves. For the top tier I added 3″ to the fold line (so 6″ total) and 4″ to the bottom tier (so 8″ total). I really wanted the skirt to be full especially since I was using such lightweight fabric.

I sewed the size Small which is my typical size. No size modifications.

The back is closed with an hook and eye. Super easy to get on and off and the ease of the bodice is comfortable. I wore a white slip underneath instead of lining the dress.

The Marion Pattern would be great for a confident beginner. The raglan bodice is very easy to construct as well as the skirts. The new skills for a new seamstress would be the waistband and sewing the neckline with bias tape.

If you have any question about Marion, let me know!

Until next time -Alexis

Style Maker Fabrics Spring Blog Tour 2020!

Hi!!

Wow. It’s been awhile since I have blogged so I am very thrilled to be blogging about Style Makers Fabric Spring Tour today!

Floral
Swiss Dot Rose. Swiss Dot Sea Glass, Eyelet Denim

Spring is here!! Well here in SoCal Spring arrived a month ago. Flowers are blooming and the weather has been in the 70’s and 80’s (except for the day I took pics of course, it was pouring rain). So when Michelle asked if I would like to participate in the Spring tour I was more than willing to get started on my Spring Wardrobe.  Of course, the hard part was deciding which fabric to go with because there were several that I wanted. She also has many delicate Swiss Dots and Eyelet fabrics in the prettiest Spring colors, that are to die for! I decided to pick this beautiful blue (think Chambray), white and black floral shirting fabric to pair with McCall’s M8036 (Sasha).

Let me first start off chatting about the fabric. It is a light to medium weight fabric with a moderate drape which is typical for a shirting fabric. I washed it on delicate/cold cycle prior to cutting and I experienced the typical amount of shrinkage one would expect for a cotton fabric. The background has a Chambray look and goes right along with the Pantone color of the year, Classic Blue. I am thrilled to add more garments that are predominantly blue.  

Next up, let’s chat about the Sasha dress. This is my first McCall’s dress in about 5 years! I was so impressed with their new Spring patterns I was ready to jump back in and try again. Now, I have always had a hard time figuring out my sizing which is kind of the reason why I stopped sewing with their patterns. I did sew a muslin of the bodice prior to cutting out the delicious fabric. The muslin was pretty close to the right fit but still needed some small changes to the bodice. I have a 33 ½” bust but usually always size up to 34” because I feel I have a slightly broad back. I choose to make a size 12 however after making the muslin I modified sewing the bodice along the side seams. I started out sewing at the armhole raw edge with a 1” seam allowance and then graded out to a ½” SA at the bottom waistline raw edge (normal SA is 5/8″).  The back bodice was a perfect fit across the shoulder blades on me.

I did some additional hacks to the pattern to make it uniquely me! First off, I shortened the skirt pattern pieced by 1” and then hemmed the skirt with a 2” SA instead of 1 ¼”. I really did not want the dress to be too long on my legs.

The last modification I did was to switch out the original sleeve with the sleeve from the Brynn pattern, M8035. The sleeve has a smaller sleeve cap yet is still billowy. To duplicate the length of the original sleeve, I shortened the new sleeve pattern piece 5”.  I kept the sleeve band pattern piece from the original sleeve. So overall had a similar feel but the sleeve cap is not as full.

I want thank Michelle for asking me to join the Style Maker Fabric Blog Tour!!! I absolutely love the fabric and look forward to making more Spring items with the fabric I bought from the shop. Oh and guess what??? They are doing a special US shipping deal, only $5!!

Be sure to follow along with all the makers by checking out Style Maker Fabric Instagram Page each day!!

Until next time!

-Alexis

Sew Caroline-Weekend Style

Weekend-Style-Blog-Tour-FBHope you all had an amazing weekend and are getting ready for fireworks tomorrow. How did you spend your weekend? I spent mine photographing 3 tops made from Sew Caroline’s new book, Weekend Style.

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Caroline’s new book is filled with top patterns, dress  patterns, shorts patterns, bag patterns and even accessories patterns like a headband and tie belt. This fresh, bright sewing book is full of weekend style patterns. So what is a weekend style? Well to me it is laid back and comfy (but cute, of course!).  But you also want to ready for date night and this book covers all baseses. Several of the patterns can be glammed up for date night with the right fabric.

So what did I choose to sew? Oh man, that was a hard decision. I went back and forth for weeks! Seriously, I could not make up my mind because I wanted to make everything! I ended making the Larchmont Tee. Why? Well I needed more tops in my closet.  HA! It was just as simple as that! This tee and all the patterns in the book are great for a confident beginner to master.  🙂anewEH4A8787.jpg

(Fabric: Sew Caroline and Art Gallery Fabric Corollas Ashen)

Larchmont Tee is a dolman style top with a blousy feel.

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So here is the thing with this tee, it is a bit addicting! I sewed up one in about 45 mins and tried it on and LOVED it. So I grabbed two more fabrics I have been wanting to sew with and made 3 total tees under 3 hours!

Tee #2

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(Fabric: Maureen Cracknell and Art Gallery Fabric –Floral Universe Turquoise in Rayon)

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Ready for one more?

Tee #3

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(Fabric- April Rhodes and Art Gallery Fabric- Treasured Kermes in Rayon)

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So enough pics of me here a sample of the patterns included in the book! Pretty awesome! Projects-in-Book-614x1024

Grab a copy NOW!

Then. check out Sew Caroline BLOG for more inspiration and links to all the blogs on the tour!

Thank you so much Caroline for the book and congratulations!!!

Outtakes: This is what happens when you take photos with your family near by. The crash the photoshoot! Love them!!

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Katarina Roccella- Blithe Blog Tour

aneweh4a9419How exciting and amazing have all of these creations been so far on the Blithe Blog Tour, right??!!! I am impressed and inspired by each one. One of these days I am going to let go of my fear of quilting and MAKE A QUILT! I don’t know how many times I hear from Quilters how scared they are to sew an article of clothing. I guess we all have our vices??
Anyways, today is mine and my sewing bestie Cassie’s day to share our creations for the Blithe Blog Tour!

Katarina has done it again (and again and again and again with Art Gallery Fabric)! She has such a passion and an eye for detail it is hard not to fall in love with each collection she releases. To me, Blithe encompass Natures’ beauty in Fall and Winter time. I can’t wait to see what she has up her sleeve for your next collection!!

For the Blog Tour Cassie and I happen to be up in Big Bear at the same time so we decided what better place to do a photoshoot. Don’t worry kids, you can brave 30 degree weather for your Mothers crazy ideas. LOL
I prepped my daughter by showing her photos of Joyfolie models in the snow. I think it actually helped. Hehehehe #momfail

For the dress I used the Magnolia Dress from Little Lizard King. I used the knit in Bird Songs Sun.

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Fabric print:Bird Songs Sun in Knit

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Fabric print: Bows in Silence in Knit

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Fabric Print: Bows in Silence, Bird Songs Sun and Dear Deer Teal in Knit

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog! Please sure to follow along the Blithe Blog Tour on Katarina’s Instagram page.

If you have not check out yesterday post, check out Sue’s Blog! 

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Runway Skirt Blog Tour-Skirt Fixation

Hello Friday,

It is a super busy time of year so thank you for taking a moment to stop by!

Today is my day to share with you the Runway Skirt Pattern that Skirt Fixation just released!

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Oh and guess what?!!?? It is on SALE from now until the 10th!  And On top of an already great sale, you can sign up for a fab giveaway for 1 Runway Skirt Pattern and a $25 Urban Sew gift card.  See the Rafflecoptor link at end of the post.

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The Runway Skirt features 3 skirt lengths; knee, midi and maxi. It really is such a comfortable skirt, thanks to the knit.  Also very stylish, thanks to the elegant godets. I had a goal during my “break” to make a few items for myself.  So far I have found that I suck at goals and I don’t know how to “take a break”!  I am really really really  grateful Aubrey asked me to join her blog tour so I could at least make one item for myself before the end of the year! LOL

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The pattern also comes in a large size range, 00-24, and I am wearing a size 2.  Sadly, I am not blessed with curves but I love the shape of the skirt and the godets which add flare and shape to my body. Wahoo!!! See more details on the pattern HERE.

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I used Art Gallery Fabric and Katarina Roccella Lavish Knit for the main body of the skirt and Art Gallery Denim for the godets. The pattern does call for a lighter weight fabric for the godet but I really wanted to add the denim so don’t tell on me ok! Hahahaha!

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Aubrey did a wonderful job on the Runway Skirt tutorial and I can’t believe it is her first pattern! It is very well written and illustrated and so easy to follow. I would say if you are a confident beginner seamstress you can tackle this pattern!

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Here is your chance to win 1 Runway Skirt Pattern and $25 Urban Sew gift card and to see more inspiration check out Skirt Fixation BLOG!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Happy Holidays

-Alexis

April Rhodes, OBSERVER Fabric Blog Tour

Finally… I have been planning the photoshoot for the Observer Blog Tour for 2 months and I am so excited to share it TODAY!!! Our family visited this National Park earlier in the summer and I knew it was the perfect location!  I am pretty excited to share but before I do lets talk OBSERVER!!!!

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April Rhodes’ has done it again! Every single collection is earthy perfection! I have always been attracted to her natural organic esthetic in her fabric collections and the Observer collection is no different. This is April’s 4th collection with Art Gallery Fabrics and each is just as BEAUTIFUL as the one before.

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The collection has navy blues, mustards, metallic and calm gray/blues. It is a collection that I would use to make clothing projects for myself, for my children and in home décor!!  The color palate is gorgeous beyond my wildest dreams!  I mean look at the metallic texture!!! Swoooon!!!!

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Besides Cotton the collection offers Knit, Voile and Canvas options to pick from in selected prints.. I choose the YUMMY Voile in Indigo Window in Crystal for the main portion of the Maxi Dress below…

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For the second dress I used this AMAZING calm blue/gray print called, Overshot Haze. For the main portion and for the collar I used, Speck Bronze. Ooooh, BRONZE!

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Can we talk about this Voile and Indigo Window in Crystal again! When I received it in the mail. I pulled it out and may or may not have danced with it! Hehehehehe, totally normal right?? Just say yes! lol

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Pattern used for the Maxi dress:

Madison- I modified the dress by lengthening the skirt.

Pattern used for the Collar dress:

Pepper- made per instructions

Both patterns are by Violette Field Threads

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Isn’t this location MAGAICAL especially with OBSERVER FABRIC!!!??!! If you are ever in San Diego I highly suggest visiting Cabrillo National Park. 🙂

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I have already used Observer in other projects like this one below for my sewing bestie, Cassie’s next pattern!!

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Thank you April for creating Observer making our projects even more beautiful!!!

*The next stop on the tour will be Colette – colettepatterns.com, IG – @ColettePatterns

See you later

-Alexis

 

Sarah Jane, Magic Fabric Blog Tour

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Hello, I hope everyone’s summer has been incredible and full of lot of adventures! Don’t you feel like summer is becoming shorter and shorter? Time flies by! My kids head back to school in a week!

Anyways, I got a little side tracked, I am excited to share a new fabric collection from Sarah Jane and Michael Miller.  Way back in March, while traveling back to GA to see family, Sarah’s new line popped up in my Facebook feed right before we boarded the plane. So obviously that meant for the rest of the plane ride all I could think about was all the amazing things I could sew with that fabric and then of course that started my pattern designing juices going!  I envisioned a summer sundress with little girls dancing in the beautiful sun. After the 5 hour plane ride I came up with Lauren, a summery sundress full of pleated details.  Isn’t it incredible how one person’s creativity influences another?!

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(Shown here with Magic and Gauze from Sommer)

Sarah has always been a huge inspiration to me since the time I first started sewing! Every time I see Children on Parade fabric, I  have flash backs of sitting at my sewing machine cranking out tons of skirts made with that print. I keep a secret stash of out of print Sarah’s fabric in my fabric closet that I will only pull out for very special projects!  Did you hear they will be bringing back some out of print fabrics??!! How exciting!!

In May I had the honor of sewing TWO dresses for her Spring Quilt Market Booth.

The first one is Paige, which is designed by Bernadette for Violette Field Threads.

Fabric:

Unicorn Forest

Lucky Stars

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The second is the pattern I mentioned earlier, Lauren.

Fabric:

Magic Parade- Double Boarder

Lucky Stars

Stars and Stripes

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Here are few (HA) more photos of Lauren and Magic Collection…

(Seriously, isn’t she a doll??!!!)

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“Lauren” baby fabric:

 Magic Parade Double Boarder

You are Magic

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(Not sure how I got so lucky to get this perfect shot with everyone smiling but YAY!!!)

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Fabric:

Sommer Fabric Collection: Painted Gingham

Mermaid Magic

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What will you sew with Magic?

Thank you so much for hanging out with me and reading all about my adventures with Magic Fabric!

-Alexis

 

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Floral Radiograph Fabric Blog Tour-Skirt Fixation

Blog Tour Graphic

Hello and Happy Friday,

This month has flown by, right???!!  It has for me too! So it was nice to stop for a minute. grab my camera and my favorite little lady and head to my newly founded photo spot.   We had a lot of laughs and got a lot of pics with some beautiful fabric. Aubrey. from Skirt Fixation, has created a beautiful collection of fabric called, Floral Radiograph. What is Floral Radiograph you ask?? Well here you go:

Floral Radiography is the procedure of x-raying delicate flowers to create art.  Over 100 years old, this practice is almost as venerable as x-ray technology itself.  Because of the sensitivity of x-ray technology, composition difficulty, and the fragility of the processing method, most floral radiograph attempts do not turn out.  But the ones that make it to a finished product are so stunningly, hauntingly beautiful they make the endeavor worthwhile!  The tiny community of artists who make floral radiographs do not limit themselves to flowers either.  Whether it’s the ability to see beyond the naked eye, or the similarity to silhouettes and shadows, floral radiography translates beautifully to fabric because the owner of floral radiograph fabric can use it to create something that transcends the flesh of nature and touches the very bones.

Pretty cool, right??!!

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I choose the Black and White Boarder Print in cotton. Which is super soft and flowy!! It was a breezy day thanks to a storm coming, which made the fabric drape like a dream. Lucky me!!

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I had envisioned making a skirt for the tour because every time I think of Aubrey I think of skirts! HA!  So I used the Gemma Skirt pattern by Violette Field Threads. I made the skirt with a few modifications, like using a gathered skirt instead of a circle skirt and I also adding length. The end result was a full, flowy midi skirt!

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I have a thing for Black and White fabric, it’s timeless! BUT, she is also offering the print in several other colors…

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Gorgeous, right??!!!!

Guess what, you can win a $50 credit for My Fabric Designs. See Skirt Fixation Blog for more information. The giveaway runs from April 25 to May 8.

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Thank you Aubrey for having me on your blog tour!!!

Until next time…

Alexis

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