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Dress

Big Comfort! Big Impact Using A Cricut Maker 3 In Your Sewing

I will admit I am not a big paper or vinyl crafter. I have lofty ideas I will be one when I see great ideas and then they stay an idea! Lol

Oh well I still get good use out of my Cricut machine by using it in various ways in my sewing. I first used it for this costume I made for a clients Halloween costume. You will find it on the leg wrap and the medallion on the skirt.

I also have also used the Cricut Maker for bag making. You can check out two of my free bag patterns in my Freebie Library that can be cut with an Cricut or electronic cutting machine. I just release the SImon Bucket Bag Pattern and you can find that for free in my library as well. Here is the blog post about it.

If you want to get this free bag pattern check out the Library at the top of the page, “Lovely’s Sewing Freebies”

If you have seen my embroidered skirt you know that I love a bold look! It makes a bold statement and it is just fun. So here is another one using my Cricut Maker 3. If you have not heard the Cricut Maker 3 can cut without a mat using their Smart Matierial and one is a Smart Iron on Vinyl. You can cut in long lengths, up to 12 Feet!!! Yup 12 feet!!!! If you want to learn more click on the picture of the Maker 3 below.

So of course large wall vinyl is probably what most people think of but I went straight to what clothing item I could make. I wanted something elegant with very little detail that gave me large blank canvas. I noticed this cute Caftan pattern from Simplicity. Did I just say a cute Caftan? Lol yup…. I am sure at some point my generation said we would never wear these and here we are. I think it is perfect for lounging around the house and they can still be very cute and presentable. Throw on some oversized earrings and a large bag and you can go run some errands while looking chic.

So let’s talk about some things to keep in mind. One would be the limitations on the width, so you should think of something narrow or you could also do something that would cut separately that you can place all over the item but would still cut quickly. I wanted something to make an impact and this snake on a vine was it but here is where you can let your imagination run wild. I have a few more ideas in mind. So let’s think outside centering a design on a shirt. What are you going to make an incorporate large iron on vinyl onto?

I have a full review of Simplicity 8911 here on my patternreview.com profile but the short answer is that I love it and it is super easy to make.

If you have not done so already be sure to join my Facebook group for my bag patterns! I have some pattern launches coming soon and you don’t want to miss out.

Lovely For Life Patterns Facebook Group

Until Next Time! Please follow me on Instagram at www.Instagram.com/lovelyforlife1 and https://www.facebook.com/Lovelyforlifedesigns

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SEWN Magazine Feature

I work hard at most everything I do but sometimes great things just happen and I don’t know how I am so blessed. Earlier this year I was reached out to by SEWN Magazine! If you haven’t seen them then check them out. They have a modern take on a sewing magazine and every issue is packed with great sewing information and features talented makers showing of their skills. So when I was asked to make something for them I jumped at it. The prompt was a shirt dress! I love dresses so this was great. I often use shirt dresses as dusters as you can see here in my Southwestern girl post about my southwestern style duster. However shirt dresses can also be glammed up so I decided to show both sides. The first version was this large floral print quilting cotton sure to wow as a casual day piece and the second was this sext black stretch chiffon that I didn’t even put bottoms on and cinched in with a belt I made and added sexy gladiator sandals. This is the version that is perfect for date night.

I have made plenty of dusters so I wanted to use pattern I had not used before. I decided quickly on Designer Stitch’s Sedona. Funny thing is the last time I was in a magazine it was in a Designer Stitch pattern. You can check that out here! I used to test her patterns and they are great so I had high hopes and they did not disappoint. Excellent drafting and instructions. She does the placket different than I have ever seen it done but when you take your time it comes out so nice and is easier than the other ways I have done it. You can find her patterns here and her Facebook group is here.

The print floral fabric is from one of my favorite fabric stores The Fabric Snob but it was a pre order a while ago so it is no longer available. Sorry but do check out their fabric because they have a lot of great stuff. I used their fabric for my floral suit I made earlier this year. You can see that here.

Next I want to highlight my wonderful photographer that I work with on a lot of my photo shoots including the SEWN Magazine shoot. You can find her on Instagram here and here. I will add a gallery of some other shoots she has helped me with. Check her out if you are looking for a photographer in the Fort Worth Texas area.

Simplicity 8526
Vogue 1716
Green style Creations Super G Tights and The POWER Bra
Rebecca’s Bag by Lovely For Life
Simplicity 8300

If you want more info and a full review on the Designer Stitch Sedona Pattern you can find my Sewing Pattern Review here.

Until Next Time! Please follow me on Instagram at www.Instagram.com/lovelyforlife1 and https://www.facebook.com/Lovelyforlifedesigns

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Pattern Review: Vogue 1579

Do you ever see a pattern and just know you have to make it? That was Vogue 1579. It is so classic yet on trend with the cape detail. I made it very early this year but planned on debuting it on Easter Sunday for church. Unfortunately, we all know COVID had different plans. So I have yet to wear this lovely dress out. Now that Texas is open we can go back to church but have to wear a mask. I don’t know if I can stand the thought of ruining the look with a mask. Oh well. Until it can be fully appreciated it will get an adoring look as I look through my closet.

This is a fully lined close-fitting dress by Badgley Mischka. The only thing I was not a fan of was the belt. I am just not a bow kind of girl even though this one is quite subdued. I made a size 14 and did not have to make any sizing changes except I did add a couple of inches in length due to my 6’ height. ( Note the final pictures don’t fit as good as they should because I have since lost weight and by rights am now a size 10/12 in Vogue). It is such a beautiful feminine dress and it feels good on.

I have two complaints about this pattern. The first is, the directions to put the cape on are impossible. The idea is that there would be a finished seam underneath the cape but how it was made to that point it becomes impossible to do that. I later found this same complaint in a review on www.patternreview.com here: https://sewing.patternreview.com/review/pattern/145474. I just attached the cape with the raw edge between the cape and dress. No one will ever see it anyway so it is not a huge issue.

The second complaint is more annoying than anything. It is just such an awkward dress to put on and take off. The zipper is on the side seam and since the waist is fitted it is just awkward. But alas if we want to look great in a dress sometimes you make sacrifices! ?

Non-Affiliate Pattern Link:https://mccall.com/v1579

While I know it does not truly fit perfectly anymore I will still be rocking this dress. I may do a slight alteration from the back seam or I may find a belt I do like with it and wear it to cinch in the waist a bit. I am tempted to make this again in maybe a less formal look and a bit shorter. It is a great pattern besides the cape attachment issue. Here is my video review for the dress.

Pattern Description:
Close fitting lined dress has attached cape and side back invisible zipper. Belt has bow and snap closures.

Pattern Sizing:
I made a size 14 and just added length due to my 6’ height.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes!! Very Lovely

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Most of it was except the cape insertion instructions do not work how they have it to leave a finished seam on the underside. I had to just insert it and have raw edge underneath the cape. Not a big issue since no one will see that part but made me feel crazy that I was not getting it.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Disliked the cape insertion and love everything else. I did not do the belt because bows aren’t my style.

Fabric Used:
Crepe

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
Just my normal lengthening a couple inches for my height.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Absolutely and I think I want to in a more winter weight fabric or a more casual version. Yes but not for a newbie.

Conclusion: I love this dress and am thinking about making a winter or Christmas one.

Until Next Time! Please follow me on Instagram at www.Instagram.com/lovelyforlife1 and https://www.facebook.com/Lovelyforlifedesigns

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Summer Dreaming Dress Series: McCalls 7745

Ahh we are at the end of the Summer Dreaming Dress Series. I hoped you enjoyed the dresses I made and loved wearing this summer. Next year I hope to post them earlier in the summer so you can have the time to possibly make them your self.

Our last dress is McCalls 7745 view D and she is a beauty. And lovely enough she is still in stock on the McCalls website so check her out here: https://somethingdelightful.com/m7745 You can put her in your stash for next year.

The description describes it as, “Close fitting wrap dresses have neckline and sleeve variations, and ribbon ties. A, C, D:Shaped hemline, wrong side of fabric will show. Includes separate pattern pieces for A/B, C, and D cups.”

She is pure loveliness. Very feminine and summery. I loved view A and B but I wanted a dress I could wear that would be a bit more covered up. With a cami underwear I can wear this to church.

I really liked that this pattern had the different bust sizes included and it was a great fit when I made it. Now just like the other dresses it is a bit big. Yes I know you are tired of hearing it but just in case next year someone comes back and is confused I want them to know it is too big in the pictures.

I have had this fabric for years and it was from Joann’s but I did happen to find it again recently so check for it. It was a light crepe fabric and lined the bodice with a Rayon. Yes it can be a little warm for outdoor activities but inside it is a beautiful and comfortable dress.

Well this concludes my Summer Dreaming Dress Series. I hope you enjoyed.

You can read the Pattern Review Version of this post here.

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Summer Dreaming Dress Series: Burda

Well today is not technically a dress… Oh don’t worry you will love it. It’s actually a skirt from Burda Style Magazine. No wait don’t leave. I know a lot of people have a hard time with Burda patterns. This one is super easy and I am also planning on doing Burda sewing lessons. Comment below or on my social media if you’re interested.

This skirt is from Burda Style magazine May 2020 issue. You can find most of the Burda magazine patterns on their website to so don’t worry about finding this magazine.

So this skirt actually started with the fabric. I got this large floral boarder print when I visited my sister in Hawaii earlier this year. My favorite flower is the bird of paradise so I had to have it. I knew it would be a lovely skirt but I wanted something pretty basic so it would not distract from the fabric.When the May issue came in I knew it was the pattern.

The pattern is a perfect easy sew. I did my normal lengthening because I am 6’ but that was it. I made the size 44 but but had lost weight before taking these pictures so it is a bit big now.

This print just makes me happy though and it is a fun easy skirt to wear through on a black top or pull out one of the colored in the flower.

Remember to check back tomorrow for the last dress in my Summer Dreaming Dress Series.

Until Next Time! Please follow me on Instagram at www.Instagram.com/lovelyforlife1 and https://www.facebook.com/Lovelyforlifedesigns

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Summer Dreaming Dress Series: McCalls 6884

Can you believe it is already Fall? Summer is long over now!! But this summer girl still wants to hang on to a bit of summer. I am already dreaming of next summer. 2020 has been a crazy year for everyone. Although I felt a bit defeated at times during the COVID pandemic I was determined to get some great summer dress makes in. Even if I was only going to wear them around the house, to eat and to family events. So I am going to show three of my favorite today, tomorrow and Friday. So check back each day.

McCalls 6884 is such a sexy little number with the slim fit around the waist and the slit in version D. For this summer look I wanted the coolness of the sleeveless version.

The pattern described it as, “MISSES’ DRESSES: Close-fitting, pullover, mock wrap dresses have right front variations, tie ends and narrow hems. C and D: gathered right front. Designed for medium-weight moderate stretch knits. SUGGESTED FABRICS: Jerseys, Cotton Knits and Novelty Knits.”

Honestly when I saw the cover picture shown I was not that impressed. While it is a good basic wrap style dress it was not what I was going for. But then I realized D had that look I was going for.

I found the fabric in my stash from Pretty Posh Prints from about a year or more ago. It is a super soft Double Brushed Poly. It topped off the look with a sexy island girl look. The dress is super comfortable and I may make another one in a solid.

Unfortunately you wont find the pattern on the McCalls site anymore but check out Ebay and I am sure you will. My tip for buying patterns on Ebay is to put the pattern name and number into a saved search with an alert and as soon as someone lists it you will get an alert.

I made a size 14 in this but had lost weight before pictures were taken so I could size down now but it was true to size when I made it.

Find my PatternReview.com review here: https://sewing.patternreview.com/review/pattern/168213

See you tomorrow!

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Pretty Betty: Betty Faux Wrap Dress by Sinclair Patterns

There is something super sexy about a wrap dress. “It’s hard to deny the wrap dress’ icon status — for 40 years, it’s been one of the hardest working garments in any hard-working woman’s wardrobe. Invented by Diane von Furstenberg in 1974, the frock is flattering, versatile, and easy to wear, pack, and style.” states Connie Wang in her article The Weird, True History of the Wrap Dress.

I only have one criticism of the wrap dress other than not having enough of them and that is you can feel a bit overexposed at times depending on how it wraps and how much under wrap fabric there is. That is why I was excited to try out Sinclair Pattern’s Betty Faux Wrap Dress pattern. I thought this may be a perfect solution to not having enough fabric to wrap and I was right!!

This pattern is an easy sew but gives you big style. Again one of those styles that goes well on most body types. It is also super comfortable and easy to wear. You can dress it down with a sweater or denim jacket or dress it up with some sexy strappy heals and sparkly earrings. As always the pattern is wonderfully drafted and instructions are superb. If you ever want a pattern brand that has quality in every pattern they produce you will not go wrong with Sinclair Patterns. This pattern also comes with a faux wrap top. I was actually torn on which to make but since I live in dresses I chose the dress but the top is on my list to make!

For this dress I wanted something casual to wear during the day in the summer but something supper cool for the Texas heat. I found this pink floral rayon spandex named Ardent from Sly Fox in my stash and it did not disappoint. They do not have this particular fabric still but here is the link to similar fabric.

“Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we believe will add value to our readers.”

Source: https://www.refinery29.com/2013/10/55868/dvf-wrap-dress-anniversary