The Gabriola Skirt- New from Sewaholic!!

You guys!! Tasia over at Sewaholic just announced her newest pattern, the Gabriola skirt.  I am not into these knit maxi skirts that are all the rage right now, so when she sent out the call for pattern testers and said it was a maxi skirt I was a little hesitant. Then I figured Ashley would love it, so I went for it. I am so glad she selected me as one of the testers! This skirt is GORGEOUS!!! I have been not so patiently waiting for the release so I could share it with everyone.

This skirt takes quite a bit of fabric. Luckily, I had this gorgeous silk/cotton/lycra blend in my stash (and I bought it twice, so I had about 10 yards of the stuff). This is the fabric that everyone seems to have, and I don't blame everyone for wanting it. I ran the fabric choice by Ashley first, and she approved it joyously.

As with all of the Sewaholic patterns I have sewn, this pattern is well drafted. The yokes on this are wonderful. The seam lines are as well. I love the idea of color blocking it, and the stripes Tasia used are fabulous.

It was a pretty quick project to sew, but cutting the pieces took a bit of time due to the length of the skirt. I hand stitched the hem, as well as hand picking the zipper. 

This skirt can be simple and elegant, or really dressed up. I keep thinking of it in lace with a charmeuse underlining. I'm not about the weight of that with this length, but maybe...

 Don't mind the unvacuumed floor.

Click on the picture to enlarge and see more detail.

Notice the skirt has a center piece and two side pieces. 

The catch stitch is especially great for fabric with some stretch,

 as it stretches a little, too.

 (She has worn this every Sunday so the hem is a bit dirty.)

The hand picked zipper and back yokes.

This is such a great pattern! I will be making it again. I'm hoping to make one for myself, and I'm pretty sure Ashley wants a few more. I think when my sister sees this one, she will want one, too. It would be perfect for someone in an orchestra who needs a black skirt, especially a cellist. (I played the cello, so I understand this need.)

Casual Lady Dress from Go To Patterns

I was asked to test the Casual Lady Dress pattern for Go To Patterns in April. They needed the XXS again, so Ashley got another dress!

I ordered these cotton/spandex jerseys from Nature's Fabrics. The top one is the same fabric Katie used for the leggings she wore to our meetup and I loved the quality, so ordered some of my own. The blue with gold flecks was much thinner, sadly, so I decided to use it for this dress.

The dress was quick! 2 main pieces, 2 facing pieces. Easy. The instructions were great, and Ashley was so happy to have yet another dress. I will definitely make this pattern again. I might even try making the top for myself- yes, it can be a dress or a top.

Doesn't she look thrilled?

Simply Lovely dress for Ashley

A few months ago, Go To Patterns was looking for a pattern tester for their smallest women's dress size.  After taking a look at their sizing, I realized this would work perfect for my 12 year old and signed right up!  They sent me the Simply Lovely Dress pattern.

I picked out a stretch woven I've had in the stash for quite some time. I fell in love with the diagonal stripe, but never knew what to do with it.

I think this fabric has a little less drape than the recommended fabrics, but it works.  I would LOVE to make this in a light to mid weight linen!

The instructions were well written. The elastic at the waist was put in a way I never have seen before.  I followed the directions, not sure how it would work, but it did!  The sizing is great! Ashley is quite thin, so I was surprised that a women's pattern would have a size to fit. I did lengthen the dress, as usual.  I will probably do the straps differently the next time I make it, making the underarm binding continue up as the straps, as I think it will sit better on their shoulders.

This pattern is FREE, yes, free. You just have to head over to GoToSew.com and sign up for their newsletter.  The dress was posted there back at the beginning of April, but I believe it is still available.

Gray Renfrew - Take 2!

I finally got around to that second try on my gray ponte Renfrew.  This time I went for the cowl neck and long sleeves.  This is the first long sleeve shirt I've owned in at least 5 years.  I have been freezing, so it is just perfect!  Okay, the shirt itself isn't perfect, but at least it is warm.
After the first try, in the exact same fabric, turned out too small I just couldn't give up on it.  This time it is too big in the shoulders.  It seems I just can't win.  I think the problem is that the ponte just doesn't have enough stretch.  The first one would fit just fine if it were made in, say, a jersey knit.

I absolutely love the cowl neck.  I will refrain from filling my closet with the exact same shirt in every color, and make this with the various necklines.  This is a great basic pattern.  I think I have planned to make 5 Renfrew shirts this coming year.  (I had 4 shirts in my wardrobe before this one was made, all of which have holes in them.  I am sadly lacking in clothing.)  I figure I can make it with different sleeve lengths as well.

Don't mind the spot created by the flash!

This pattern is definitely a keeper!

And here is a better picture of me wearing it- because I don't always look so bad.

Gray Renfrew

I finished my Renfrew top.  I am very sad.  I made it too small!  I think a stretchier knit would have been better with the size I cut.  The worst part is that I cut my pattern to that size.  Guess now I have to buy another one!  I should have started out with a bigger size- going down to the smaller would have been a whole lot easier.  I can still review the pattern, as the top is great other than my sizing error.  I am actually taking it in a little and giving it to a friend.  So it isn't a total waste.

The pattern is pretty straightforward.  The pictures are great- I didn't have any questions as to what was going on in them.  The instructions are pretty basic, not a lot of steps.  This was a quick sew!  I was running errands all morning and sewing in between.  I started around 9am and finished by 12:30pm.  So I'd say it took me 2 hours max to sew.  I cut it out last night, but even the cutting didn't take long.  Now that I've made this I think it will take even less time on the next one.

I used a gray ponte roma from JoAnns.  I made mine with the neckline from view B and the sleeve length from view C. I didn't use a zigzag stitch around the neckline.  Instead, I used a double needle with a straight stitch.  I just like the look better.  Everything else was done as per instructed.  I used a stretch (double) stitch for the seams and then finished them with the serger.  This pattern does not require a serger, though.  I can't wait to make another one in the correct size!  I also look forward to making the other views.  It is a great pattern, perfect for anyone who is new to sewing knits.  It is also a great basic pattern to have in my stash.

I will try to add a picture in a bit.

Cambie Dress Review

Tasia, the Sewaholic, just announced her new pattern today.  The Cambie Dress.   I LOVE this pattern.  I especially love the A-line skirt version.  Of course, sometimes what you love isn't what suits you best.  I muslined the A-line version first.  I didn't love it on me.  I was quite sad.  So I went ahead with the full skirt version (which I also love).

Adjustments: I did an FBA which resulted in a horizontal bust dart being added to the bodice. I also shortened the bodice by one inch in the armscye area.  I used a regular zipper, which I handpicked.

The instructions were easy to follow.  It went together rather quickly, as well.  I made a 12 with a thick waist adjustment.  I am so excited to make this dress for Ashley (once she fits into the smallest size of course).

Fabric: Striped cotton shirting with little flowers embroidered all over for the main fabric and white voile for the lining.  This was my first time using voile.  It is a great lining for hot desert summers!

I HIGHLY recommend this pattern.  I love it!  Sewaholic patterns are wonderful and make a great addition to any pattern stash.

Sorry for the sad phone picture.