New fave off-the-shoulder dress pattern + bias pleated bell sleeve

8.23.2017

New fave off-the-shoulder dress pattern + bias pleated bell sleeve

My first bell sleeve dress, and I found a new off-the-shoulder dress pattern that's much easier to wear! I was inspired by a dress I saw on Instagram last summer, and I love how mine turned out! Plus, I used a very cool double-layer organic cotton gauze and it is sooo soft and comfy!

Here's my inspiration! I thought this dress was so cute and different. 

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I actually wasn't looking for a flat-front off-the-shoulder dress pattern when I found Simplicity 8296, since I've been using ones that have elastic all the way around, but I think they were out of my size on the other one I wanted so I decided to try this one. And I love it!! It stays in place much better than the really loose elastic styles and I like the more fitted look!

I definitely modified this pattern as you can see in the summary below. I made the bias-cut sleeves just like the inspiration! They're just bias-cut rectangles, pleated with box pleats into the upper sleeve. 

Organic Cotton Plus sent me this fabric and it's different than anything I've ever used. The double layer makes it perfect for dresses or more substantial tops since it's not too lightweight and not sheer at all.

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Off-white linen stripe cross-over romper. Or, when 3 patterns collide

7.13.2017

Off-white linen stripe cross-over romper. Or, when 3 patterns collide

Since last summer I've been picturing a lovely white striped linen wrap-look dress or romper, worn on a warm summer day with a bit of a breeze, and dappled shade. Well, I finally combined my inspirations and made myself one!

Here are some inspirations I've collected since last year.

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Stripes, white, and blue - linen jumpsuit

6.27.2017

Stripes, white, and blue - linen jumpsuit

Blue, white, stripes--some of my favorite elements this summer! I found the coolest blue and white stripe linen blend from Fabric.com and made this very summery, dramatic fitted jumpsuit!

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Blue stripe circle ruffle tie neck sundress

6.21.2017

Blue stripe circle ruffle tie neck sundress

I've participated in Melly Sews's Sundressing series for several years now! I LOVE kicking off summer sundress season with a DIY. This sundress is definitely the summeriest thing I've made this year!

I usually modify old favorite patterns, and this time was no different. I used Simplicity 1355, which I've made several times before (see them all here), with several changes... you'll see below.

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Navy eyelet lace ruffle off-the-shoulder top

6.02.2017

Navy eyelet lace ruffle off-the-shoulder top

It's finally getting to the time of year when I can wear a cute top out to dinner and not freeze! Maybe even a dress. I'm getting excited for summer sewing, and made myself this top to start it off!

Last summer I feel like the off-the-shoulder trend really kicked off, but it's still here and I'm glad, cause this style is really fun to make and wear!! There are quite a few cute patterns out there but last summer I made McCall's M6558 up several times (it's from 2012), and have learned some modifications to make it a little cuter and more current!

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My first real sewing project since summer 2016! A flirty floral print dress

5.15.2017

My first real sewing project since summer 2016! A flirty floral print dress

I am so excited for warm weather!!! Spring in Oregon is pretty hit or miss but when we have the nice days I get really happy and start thinking about berry picking, day trips to the beach, and wearing cute dresses on date nights.

Since moving to our fixer upper, my sewing room has been in some stage of packed-ness and I haven't had a lot of access to my patterns, fabric, and tools. But I did set up the machine to make these pillow covers and I do have some room to work. I got inspired for a transitional springy floral dress, and made this one up in only about 2.5 hours of sewing! (Cause I also don't have much time for sewing when there are bathrooms to renovate!)

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A bright print open shoulder top for early fall (and my birthday!)

9.07.2016

A bright print open shoulder top for early fall (and my birthday!)

It's my birthday tomorrow!! I made myself a new top. I've always had fun picking out my outfit for my birthday or birthday party, and a BRIGHT color or print always seemed most appropriate. I remember one childhood birthday party in the park that involved a full-skirted dress with a white background and bright gumball-colored polka dots of varying sizes (ah, the 90's).

I've come a long way since then, but I still met my brightness goal! This top was born from 1) the leftover fabulous fabric from this fun party dress and 2) this pretty Anthropologie open shoulder long-sleeved top!

I've made several off-the-shoulder tops and a dress this summer (see them in the gallery here) and I just love the style! It makes even the simplest top interesting and outfit-making.

I seriously messed with the pattern, you guys. It's McCall's M7163 but last time I made that pattern the shirt was SO big I swam in it and ended up taking in the body and sleeves several inches to make it flattering. So this time I made it two sizes smaller than it called for, quite a few inches shorter, and with WAY smaller sleeves (particularly since I knew I would not be adding elastic in the shoulder areas, like the Anthro one).

Seriously, look how much I took out of the sleeves!

I also added some straps and only did the elastic in the front and back panels.

It turned out just like I pictured!!

I also was excited to wear it with my new Express mid-rise "jean leggings" which are not leggings at all but actually the most perfect-fitting normal, substantial jeans! As I shared on my Instagram the other day, I haven't bought jeans in multiple years so this was a big deal for me. I ordered them in a Short so the length was ankle rather than long enough to cuff like most of my jeans, and they're perfect!! They have just the right amount of stretch to fit my strong thighs, too, which is so hard to find in a lot of brands these days.

It's fun to make something SO different than anything else I've ever done before! I got out of my comfort zone of natural fiber neutrals with this bold print for the dress earlier this summer and now it worked well for this, too!

Pattern: McCall's M7163
Modifications:

• Made 2 sizes smaller than called for
• Made length really about 4" shorter than called for (I gave it a deep hem as well as cutting it shorter)
• Made sleeves substantially narrower
• Only put elastic in the front and back panels
• Added straps

It's great for a celebration (birthday!!) or any other early fall event where you want to make an outfit special with just one great piece!

Shop the original inspiration top, some similar ones, and these fabulous-fitting jeans here!

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Versatile denim ruffle off-the-shoulder top

8.18.2016

Versatile denim ruffle off-the-shoulder top

I just love the off-the-shoulder trend!! I've worn this top quite a few times, particularly after shortening it, and it was so fun and easy to make, so I made another! This time out of a lightweight denim and with a very different proportion to the ruffle!

I used McCall's M6558 for the ruffle and super basic loose bodice with armholes, but it's pretty basic and obviously mine doesn't look like any of the options on the pattern! I tweaked it a lot. (See below for details.)

I seriously debated between wearing it with white jeans or cut-offs or black jeans. I went with black to be more sleek ;) but it would work so well with either!

If you're inspired... pin from this post to save for later!

Pattern: McCall's M6558
Modifications:

• Extended the bodice of view A rather than giving it an elastic waist and skirt
• Made the ruffle 2/3 as long
• Cut the armholes a little higher since I knew from wearing this top that sometimes I want to pull the ruffle down a little lower than the armholes will allow without some bra showage!

And if you don't feel like sewing... now is a great time of year to buy fun, lightweight tops! Here are some similar ones at great prices!

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White oversized polka dot shift dress, new LWD

8.10.2016

White oversized polka dot shift dress, new LWD

I love the LWD (little white dress). There is just something special about an all-white lacy top or dress for summer! I've made quite a few. (I think my favorite is this one from last summer.) But I tried something new this time around with a simple shape and a very cool woven textured huge polka dot voile!

I used my go-to plain shift dress pattern, Simplicity 2584 (see all my versions of it here). You could use any basic shift dress pattern. I am used to doing major modifications to this simple little pattern, and this dress was no exception! It doesn't look anything like the original Cynthia Rowley finished dress versions.

The fabric is from a wholesale company my mom shops from for her business. It's some kind of voile, Maggy London brand. (She didn't realize the dots were so big when she ordered it, so she gave it to me!) Not sure of the fabric content but it's a little stiff and resilient to pressing! Perfect for a dress, though, with a full lining.

Pretty cool print-matching on the back, huh??

A plain LWD is so elegant! Definitely just more dressed-up than ones I've made in the past.

Oh, also, the fabric is just barely off-white, but I couldn't find a lining that was the right color. So I used a pure white lining, which makes the dress look lighter overall. I'm good with it! It's an LWD with texture and multi-dimensional color.

Pattern: Simplicity 2584 (see all my versions of it here)
Modifications:

• Did not cut the slit at the neckline; cut the scoop neck wider
• Made it a little shorter
• Gave it a full lining instead of a facing

Shop my all-time favorite summer heels and some other options & accessories here!

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More gingham! Simple black and white top

8.02.2016

More gingham! Simple black and white top

I just can't quit you, gingham!!

I've made two fabulous black and white checkered dresses this summer (this ruffled one and this fitted one) and I love them both SO much! They are both on my all-time fave DIYs list! I had some extra fabric from the larger buffalo check one, and have also been loving loose, simple tops this summer... so I made very efficient use of it and whipped up this top!

I used the dress and romper pattern Simplicity 1355 as a starting point. I've used several times before (see them here), even as a top (this striped one from last year) so I knew it would be easy!

I wanted it to be a little shorter than the one I made last year, and slimmer fitting. I also thought a contrasting tie (rather than self-fabric as the pattern calls for) would be cuter with this bold check!

It was so fun to wear with white jeans and my fave comfy espadrilles!

 

I love it as a summer look, and I think I may need to buy some more gingham (maybe a different color?) for some fall pieces in the next couple months! Until then I will be rocking my white jeans and summery pieces as long as I can!

Pattern: Simplicity 1355 (see my other uses of it here)
Modifications: 

• Made it as a top (lengthened bodice, but not too much
• Made it more tightly fitting
• Used a cord instead of making a self-fabric tie
• Cut the v-neck deeper and did it on the fold instead of a center front seam

Shop the look below! This is a great time of year to buy espadrilles and they are so comfy and versatile!

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Embroidery-inspired ribbon trim crepe shift dress

7.14.2016

Embroidery-inspired ribbon trim crepe shift dress

I sure do love summer dresses! This one's a little different than several recent ones because I had some fun with trim!

This sweet white crepe shift dress was inspired by this embroidered swing dress from LOFT, and I guess also by those beautiful, multi-colored embroidered yoke Mexican cotton ones. So pretty, and you could make one at home, but that's a lot of specialty embroidery! It would be quite a project. But I liked the simple design of the embroidery around the neck of the LOFT one and actually, I looked around and found quite a few with similar amounts and patterns of trim.

I figured, I  have some cool patterned ribbon, I could shape it pretty similarly to the embroidery patterns. I just needed a yoked dress pattern. I dug out Simplicity 2896 (very old) and modified the shape of the yoke a bit. And I gave it a full lining instead of the facing the pattern called for, since the cotton crepe I used is so sheer.

It's not as complex or detailed as the pretty embroidery patterns, but I really like the amount of trim in this pattern and the colors! Very summery, right?? Perfect with espadrilles and my new favorite thing, a summery straw carry-all tote.

I totally love it!!

Pattern: Simplicity 2896
Modifications: 

• Made yoke straight across instead of curved
• Made neckline more of a scoop neck, less of a boatneck
• Gave dress a full lining instead of facing
• Made it shorter

You know how sometimes you smell something and it reminds you of a place or time? I feel I should also disclose that I carefully placed all that ribbon while watching the Seinfeldvision episode of 30 Rock. I recently started rewatching as a fun escape during sewing time. So Tina Fey is partially responsible for this dress!

If you don't have time for sewing one yourself but love the soft, crepey, embroidery trim look, you can shop these similar ones below, some under $30. Also some great espadrille and tote options!!

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