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Indie Sewing Patterns

Indie Sewing Patterns, Make It Perfect, Skippy

.Spring Tops.

I’m almost to the end of my un-blogged sewing projects. Like these three tops. The change of season always brings around “wardrobe crisis” – usually in the category of tops. Last year’s are tired, worn out or I just need something fresh and new – you get it, right?! Plus ALL of my knit tops end up with a couple of little holes right in the front, a few inches above the hem. I have no idea why, but more often than not I am getting rid of tops because of these little pesky holes! Does that happen to you? So frustrating!

So, for this top I used my Skippy dress pattern, but didn’t add the skirt to the bottom. I love this style – it has a lovely relaxed fit, the half-sleeves are always a win and the kangaroo pocket in the front and gathered sleeve caps help set it apart from a regular tshirt.

After these photographs were taken and after I had worn the top a few times, I ended up taking off the hem band and shortening the length a bit to make it more snug around my hips. It has a much nicer fit now. This fabric was purchased from Ixat (no longer avaliable) and I originally bought it as a “boy-friendly” print with intentions to use it for one of the boys but it was quite lightweight and I thought it would suit an adult better than a child so it became mine!

And another one of the same…Skippy dress turned into a top. This fabric is also from Ixat (also out of stock), but much thicker and with a better recovery than the arrow print and you can see how much that effects the way the finished top looks. Knit fabric varies so much, using different fabrics for the same pattern can give it a totally different look.

All of the trims and bands for this top were made using a really good quality black jersey with great stretch and recovery. The waistband on this one was cut exactly the same size as the one in the arrow top but it much tighter here because of the recovery (how much it “bounces back” when you stretch and let it go) of the fabric. Unless you have someone to guide your sewing decisions, sewing with knits is a real trial-and-error process until you get to know what is going to work, how things will turn out with different fabrics, etc. I loved this fabric uncut, but it is pretty “out there” as a top! I have to be in the right mood to wear it and have actually changed the sleeve bands from the solid black fabric to the triangle print to try and tone down on the contrast so much but I’m not sure that was the best move?!

And the last Spring top make is using a different pattern altogether! This one is the City Girl Top. I bought it during a sale from Pattern Anthology a long time ago and hadn’t used any of the patterns yet so thought I needed to at least give one of them a try!

The fabric I used was purchased on clearance from Crafty Mamas, it was really cheap so I thought it would be good for a trial-run before cutting into a more expensive fabric. I think I would like the top more in a solid print, but the fit is really nice – very comfortable to wear as it is nice and loose and flowy, but the cowl neck and pleat in the front are just enough “extra” to give it a more dressy rather than casual look.

So, now we are half-way through Summer (although it doesn’t feel like it some days!) and I have Summer wardrobe crisis going on! Need to sew some short-sleeved tops and a swimsuit or two ASAP!

January 15, 2015

Indie Sewing Patterns

.Hudson Pants.

Last week I made myself a pair of Hudson Pants. This pattern has been on my “to sew” list since it was released, and I’m glad I hadn’t bought it yet because it is a part of the Perfect Pattern Parcel #6 so I managed to get this pattern + 5 other awesome women’s patterns in one!

(I think I was singing a song with Harvey in the pic above!)

When I pulled out the pattern, I had a few moments of fabric indecisiveness…I had some light grey sweater knit or some dark grey velour or my (big) stash of jerseys to choose from. I was leaning towards the sweater knit or velour as the Hudson Pant pattern is for a pair of “dressier” trackies (if there is such a thing?!) but we are heading into Summer and I wanted something that I would be able to wear as the weather warms up and those fabrics would be too hot. Then I remembered this pair of pants I saw at the shops a few days before…when I saw them I made a mental note to try and construct a pair myself because they looked really easy to make and I knew I could totally kill that $60 price mark!

And this variation of the Hudson Pant was created! I decided to take the original pattern and change the bottom of the legs to give the pants more of a harem-feel. To do this, I simply straightened the legs instead of tapering them in at the bottom and then added 5″ to the length as I wasn’t adding a cuff to the leg hem. To hem the pants, I turned up a casing and inserted the same wide elastic as in the waistband.

I LOVE how they turned out and have been wearing them heaps! When the harem pant trend first started, I didn’t buy it at all. But seriously…now I get it! Who doesn’t want to be able to wear a pair of pants as comfy as pyjamas out and about??! I can’t wait to make some more, and want to try out the original cuffed hem too.
This fabric is a ikat print cotton jersey from Ixat (not avaliable now.) I thought I might have been too flimsy for the pants, but it is actually perfect. Perhaps if I had stuck to the original cuffed pattern it might have felt a bit too much like leggings though?

If you are looking for a comfortable pair of pants you can wear practically anywhere – then give the Hudson Pant a go, it is awesome. I couldn’t fault anything in the pattern…the fit is spot-on, the instructions are just right. The perfect amount of instructions and nothing was confusing or hard to understand at all.

To get this and these FIVE other amazing women’s patterns at a great price AND support a charity at the same time, visit Perfect Pattern Parcel…it won’t be around forever, you’ve only got 4 more days to take advantage of this great offer.

Parcel #6 includes:
Syrah Skirt by Lauren Dahl (exclusive release!)
Bronte Top by Jennifer Lauren
Julia Cardigan by Mouse House Creations
Hudson Pant by True Bias
Zsalya Dress by Kate and Rose

BONUS PATTERN: Odette Dress by Bluegingerdoll

Bonus Pattern:
Choose a price of $32 or greater for Parcel #6 and you
will automatically also be sent the Bonus Pattern! That’s only $5 a
pattern. The Bonus Pattern for this Parcel is the Odette Dress by
Bluegingerdoll. Vintage inspired silhouette is had two flattering
necklines and a gorgeous skirt. The Odette Dress pattern goes from a
size 4 through a 24!

How Pattern Parcel Works:
Here at Perfect
Pattern Parcel, we believe in supporting independent pattern designers.
It’s our opinion that indie patterns are just, well, better than big
box patterns, and we’re pretty sure our customers think so too. So, we
allow customers to show their support in naming their own price for each
Parcel. We also encourage customers to allocate part of their Parcel
price to the charity Donorschoose.org in order to help classrooms in
need. Pattern Parcel donates all profits after expenses from Parcel
sales to the charity as well. Together we’ve raised over $12,000 for
classrooms in need!

October 27, 2014

Indie Sewing Patterns

.Carme Blouse.

A few months ago I was browsing Kollabora when I came across these two pretty white blouses. I’m a sucker for a white blouse and at the moment I have none in my wardrobe. This pattern – the Carme Blouse by French designer Pauline Alice looked like it would be a great way to add fill the blank spot in my wardrobe but alas, I had no white fabric in my stash so decided to test out the pattern with this grey voile that I bought from Lincraft in an online sale recently. Who buys plain white fabric anyway? I must remember to collect some next time I’m doing some fabric shopping!

As much as I love the finished blouse, it was a nightmare to put together. Mostly due to my silly mistakes, but the pattern could have done with a bit more detail in the instructions and some extra diagrams. I definitley don’t think I would have made the mistakes if the instructions were more thorough.

The thing I loved about the design is the pleated front yoke. It was really easy to make – you sew the pleats into a rectangle of fabric before using it to cut the yoke piece from but I was stung when sewing in the front placket. Not once, but TWICE! I could have cried!! Especially after all of that work sewing the pleats, my placket ended up off-centre both times. The instructions just weren’t clear enough, and even though my instincts were telling me to sew the placket in the centre of the yoke (and I’ve sewed plackets a lot so I should have just gone with my gut!) the instructions made me think that the placket should have been placed off centre….argh!

This is the first project I have tackled in a long time which has sat half-finished for a couple of weeks – I was mad about it! Anyway, I finally got it together and finished it, but only just scraped in with enough fabric to re-cut the yoke and placket pieces three times!!

I also love the option of rolled-up sleeves – probably
how I will mostly wear it, but I like being able to unroll the sleeves
to wear under a jacket without as much bulk too.

I sewed a size 36 and am satisfied with the fit. Looking at these photos, there is some funny bunching up of fabric just under the curve of the yoke, but after looking at a few other finished blouses it seems as though most people have the same problem unless they have no boobs. It really doesn’t bother me that much, probably a lot more noticeable in still photos than when I’m moving around in real life.

The fabric is fine, nothing to gush about but it’s a very easy colour to wear and feels nice. Plus, it was cheap (I got mine half price) so makes for a good wearable muslin. It does crease really well which is great for the pleats to stay in place but not so great if you can’t handle creased clothes. It doesn’t really bother me in a shirt like this.

There will be another Carmel. It will be white and I will not make any mistakes with the placket next time! Stay tuned!

October 16, 2014

Indie Sewing Patterns

.Perfect Pattern Parcel #5: Sunki Dress.

I remember when the Sunki Dress was first released by Figgy’s and started popped up around blogland that I thought it was pretty cute so I decided to sew up another pattern from the Perfect Pattern Parcel #5 to try it out.

I bought a whole heap of this lightweight spotty denim from Spotlight awhile ago and thought that it would work well with this dress design.

The dress appears quite fussless at first glance but does have some lovely features like these great pockets created from side panels – although I did find them a bit confusing to insert, but fumbled my way there in the end.

And I really like the overlapped shoulder detail. The sleeves are pleated at the top to create a puffy look. I feel like the dress is a little too wide on Lil though, I don’t think I could go down a size as it fits quite well around the waist but I would definitley think about leaving out the puff on the shoulders or slimming down the neckline or sleeves a bit so that it doesn’t look so big across the top of her body.

The back of the dress is finished off with a zipper which makes dressing nice and easy.

If you like these patterns and love getting a good deal, then make sure you check out the Perfect Pattern Parcel #5. This pattern bundle is made for girls with a huge range in sizes and you get to pick your own price! But don’t miss out because it will be gone in just under 2 days!

Parcel #5: Girls and Tweens includes:
Lily Knit Blazer by Peek-a-Boo Patterns
Everyday Yoga Pant for Girls by Greenstyle
Asymmetrical Drape Top by EYMM
Playhouse Dress by Fishstick Designs
Mimi Dress and Shirt by Filles a Maman
BONUS PATTERN: Sunki Dress by Figgy’s

Bonus Pattern:
Choose a price
of $28 or greater for Parcel #5 and you will automatically also be sent
the Bonus Pattern! The Bonus Pattern for this Parcel is the Sunki Dress
by Figgy’s. Fun pockets, a stylish silhouette, plus make it in knit or
woven. Double bonus! The pattern includes both size runs, so you get 18
months through a 16 tween sizing. This is awesome sauce!
How Pattern Parcel Works:
Here
at Perfect Pattern Parcel, we believe in supporting independent pattern
designers. It’s our opinion that indie patterns are just, well, better
than big box patterns, and we’re pretty sure our customers think so too.
So, we allow customers to show their support in naming their own price
for each Parcel. We also encourage customers to allocate part of their
Parcel price to the charity Donorschoose.org in order to help classrooms
in need. Pattern Parcel donates all profits after expenses from Parcel
sales to the charity as well. Together we’ve raised over $11,000 for
classrooms in need!

October 2, 2014

Indie Sewing Patterns

.Perfect Pattern Parcel #5: Everyday Yoga Pants.

The Perfect Pattern Parcel is back again – fifth time around the theme is GIRLS! This parcel is made up of six awesome patterns sized from preschool to pre-teen. I choose a couple of things to sew from this parcel. You know I’m a huge fan of comfortable staple clothing and I knew the Everyday Yoga Pants from Greenstyle would be a winner.

And they were a winner…first of all for me because they were an extremely FAST sew. Seriously, I had them cut up and sewn in under an hour. And secondly because they are such a comfortable, wearable pant for Lil. They have potential to be a cosy pair of trackies and would work really well as a cool pair of pyjama pants too.

I’m so glad they were such a fast sew too because the first pair I made from a fabric that didn’t have nearly enough stretch and the crotch seam tore open after only an afternoon of wearing! I loved the style so much though that I made another pair, this time using a piece of Stella in hot pink that I had just enough to squeeze out a size small for Lil. This pattern goes right up to around 14 years so now that I’ve got it in the stash I’m sure I’ll be whipping up another pair or two each season.

The fit is great. It is really quite a slim-fitting pant, especially around the bottom but I like that. I love a yoga waistband too and think it looks cute on little girls.

If you have girls to sew for then the Perfect Pattern Parcel #5 is definitley worth adding to the collection. Did I mention that you pick your own purchase price too? And that all profits go to charity? Pretty cool. This parcel is only around for another four days so get in now!

Bonus Pattern:
Choose a price of $28 or greater for Parcel #5 and you will automatically also be sent the Bonus Pattern! The Bonus Pattern for this Parcel is the Sunki Dress by Figgy’s. Fun pockets, a stylish silhouette, plus make it in knit or woven. Double bonus! The pattern includes both size runs, so you get 18 months through a 16 tween sizing. This is awesome sauce!
How Pattern Parcel Works:
Here at Perfect Pattern Parcel, we believe in supporting independent pattern designers. It’s our opinion that indie patterns are just, well, better than big box patterns, and we’re pretty sure our customers think so too. So, we allow customers to show their support in naming their own price for each Parcel. We also encourage customers to allocate part of their Parcel price to the charity Donorschoose.org in order to help classrooms in need. Pattern Parcel donates all profits after expenses from Parcel sales to the charity as well. Together we’ve raised over $11,000 for classrooms in need!

September 29, 2014

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