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The Perfect Fall Dress!

I don’t know about you but I love a dress I can wear in the fall and winter and be snuggly warm!! I had on my list to find and sew a few this year and I was not finding exactly what I wanted until I saw this Lisse Hoodie

by New Horizons Designs. Only one slight problem…it was not a dress but I knew it had all the makings of a great one so I went to work. 
First let’s chat about this pattern and then I’ll share with you how I made mine. So when searching the site this picture quickly caught my eye. I mean it is such a feminine cut hoodie. I’ll be honest I’m not a hoodie kind of girl but this style is lovely. 


When I dug into the pattern directions I was pleasantly greeted with a nice looking pattern sheet, clear drawings and images, and additional details on how to do full and small bust adjustments. Such a nice touch. 

The directions were easy to follow even the thumb hole cuff was easy. It was my first time doing that and I was a bit nervous but it worked like a charm. Overall I have no complaints and a great dress from this pattern. I will actually make this again in the normal top version because I do love it. 


Now on to my version. When I started thinking about this as a dress it reminded me of a dress my sister modeled at a fashion show when she was a teenager. It was a dress with a hoodie and was stunning. I had not thought about that in probably 25 years but it came flashing back and I knew it would be perfect! For the hoodie I decided to not do any drawstring as it was more of a design element for this look. So I I omitted the grommets as well. For the dress I added 16 inches just to the lower part. When connecting it back I was sure to keep all the shaping but I did slim in the lower sides just a little so they would not start to flare out. 

And of course the thumb holes just top the whole look off! Such a fun detail. I will be wearing this with boots and even add some black thights I could also imagine it with some tennis shoes for a more casual look. It could even be a tunic and be worn with leggings or pants. 


If you have never checked out New Horizons Designs you are in for treat. Here is a link. If you want a me to do a tutorial on this hack please let me know as I am sure I will be making a few more variations. 


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Summer Staple: Sew Straight & Gather’s Studio Dress

Do you know those dresses that you know you will live in all summer? Well at least I live in them. In Texas the easier, coolest thing to thrown on for the weekend is a dress. And this just made it to the top of my list. It is the Studio Dress by Sew Straight & Gather that I had the honor of being a tester for.I will be sewing up a couple more of these and of course I will have to test out the jumper and romper too.

This is an easy and quick sew that took me around an hour to make. I love that it is a close neck but as long as you select the correct knit you won’t have to fiddle with a zipper for the version I made. I would like to experiment with putting a zipper in it and making it in a stable knit but that is just me.

 

The directions and super clear and easy to understand. Her illustrations are some of the best I have seen in new pdf patterns. But don’t take it from me alone. Head over to Sew Straight & Gather and pick up one! On sale for a limited time.  

This lovely fabric is from KnitPop.com Can you see that stretch lace!!

Lovely

 

You have to make this! Designer Stitch’s Stylish Ravanna Wrap Pants

 

 

 

I have been sewing for a long time but I rarely run across a pattern that I like as much as this one.   The Ravanna Wrap pants from Designer Stitch has a wonderful style that stands out from other patterns. You will find wrap pants all over Pintrest and other places but the don’t hold a candle. These pants looks good on so many body shapes and have some good options.

I chose to do the weekday or straight leg version. I made it out of a firm hand from Joann’s. I added 4 inches in the leg due to my 6′ statue and I wanted to wear these lovely pants with heels. I also add a bit to the rise because I wanted them at my true waist.

Ann the designer and owner of Designer Stitch only designs for woven and not knit which I love but I do want to try this pattern with a knit and also the tulip style.

If you love style you need to go grab this pattern. 

Lovely

 

 

 

 

 

Time To Get Comfy! Ella Combo

There is a constant in Texas right now and until September…..heat and more heat! We tater in the 90’s and 100’s all summer long. I am very cold natured so for the most part I love it but even for me it can get miserable. This PJ set is a God send. I was able to test this pattern for Designer Stitch and it is great! Super quick make, easy directions and such a comfy, versitale outfit. You can keep it as a PJ or you can where it as a two piece jump or even just wear each piece with other things and it all works beautifully.

I made the set with a very thin and soft cotton in an aztec print. I switch the ruffle for lace because at 6′ it is hard for me to pull off ruffle. Other than that I made it just like the directions.

If you are interested check it out here. If you join the Facebook group you can even get it for free.

See you next time!

Lovely

 

 

 

Beat the Heat in Style: The Laela Jayne Summer Collection

Laela Jeyne Patterns just released their new Summer Collection and it is fabulous!! It has quite a few pieces for ladies and mini ladies(girls)! I had the honor of joining the blog tour and today is my stop! I hope you enjoy a look at my version of the pieces from this collection.

I first chose the Women’s Dahlia Tank Top because I live in tanks during the summer in Texas. They are comfortable, cool and versatile. I chose to do go a bit bold with the crop length which I think paired with the long skirt was set off well. The pattern is great for beginners and old pro’s have a super quick basic to make whenever they need a wardrobe filler. I can see me making quite a few more. The fit is amazing. I am a tank top snob so the fit has to be right and this is right! I love that it has cup sizing as well. I have a smaller frame but large bust and this works!

This fabric is quite amazing! I have had it for a few months and did not know what to do with it. It is actually a scuba knit from Fabric Styles  (they have reasonably priced and stunning scuba) which is not a suggested fabric but it works well. I would only suggest those that have worked with scuba before try it in this fabric choice.

And next we have the Women’s Rose Circle Skirt! This is a classic style but with a ton of options to customize it.

From full, half, and quarter widths in mini, knee, midi, and two maxi lengths your options are endless. You can use woven or knit fabric too! Again I see this as a staple piece that can be made again and again. I have made circle skirts by self drafting and while it is not too hard it can get a bit confusing. I would recommend this pattern to a beginner or anyone that wants to skip the fuss of drafting a pattern. I have a flare for the dramatic so I made it extra long by  adding some length for my 6 feet tall frame and a little extra for drama.

Here are some additional pictures of the outfit. I love that I can wear this tank with jeans, pants and other skirts. I want to try it with some high waist pants. The skirt is a classic and can be worn a ton of ways. I plan on pairing it with some boots and sweater for fall too!

So needless to say I love this collection! If you are interested in picking up these or other patterns in the collection now is your chance. Check out the Laela Jeyne Summer Collection here. I am going to go relax in my new outfit now but be sure to check out the other ladies posts on this collection at the tour links below. There is such talent and creativity you will love it!

Lovely

 

Monday

Anna’s Heirloom Boutique – Swimming in a Sea of Estrogen – Olive Ashby

Tuesday

Mahlica Designs – Pear Berry Lane – Sewing with Sarah

Wednesday

Sewn at Seams – Nini and Ash – The Crafting Fiend – Sew a Piece of Joy

Thursday

I am Mami de Sofiona – Sew and Tell Project – My Heart Will Sew On

Friday

Love Things – Idle Sunshine – Lovely for Life – Neva Couture

Also be sure to head to the Laela Jeyne Tour Blog Post to enter the rafflecopter.

***This post may contain affiliate links. This means, if you make a purchase through one of my affiliated links, I earn a few pennies.

#MMMAY17 and lessons learned!

I participated in the Me Made May challenge this year. This challenge was started by blogger Zoe 8 years ago and it is great. Go to her website for all the details but it is basically a challenge to get you to wear your me made wardrobe the whole month of May. You can put a specific challenge to wear so many pieces of me made a day and also it is encouraged to make a certain amount of items per week or month during the challenge. You also post a picture each day to your favorite social media sites with yourself wearing the items. This year was my first year participating and while I have a lot of me made items it was harder than I thought but that was a good thing because it made me realize what was missing from my wardrobe and decide on what I need to fill those holes.

Here is my list of things I need to work on.

  1. Summer work clothes
  2. Good basics tops in neutral solid colors: black, blue, white tops
  3. Casual skirts
  4. Shorts
  5. Workout clothes

 

Make sure you are following me on Instagram for daily posts @lovelyforlife1

Here are some of my me made may outfits(Note I was on vacation so there are more casual outfits than normal:

Summer Sewing Plans!! Texas Style

I have a ton of sewing projects I have been stacking up as I finish my current projects so I wanted to share my planned makes for summer(in Texas). I sew mostly clothes but I have a few bags planned as well. I also am going to do a Pinterest  Steal each time I do a planned sewing post. It will be a complete outfit I like from Pinterest that I will try to duplicate. It could be a work outfit or casual. I will do a separate post on those makes as well.

So lets see what I am planning….and eventually what I make. 🙂

  1. A sweater for my mom: McCall’s 7055 View D
  2. A cream dress:McCall’s 7593 View View D
  3. A…pj’s: Sew News Magazine June/July Issue Freebies
  4. A button down for my husband:McCall’s 7206 View A
  5. A tribal print dress:Vogue 9253 View B
  6. A….harem pant:McCall’s 7682 Out Of Print
  7. A blue floral dress:New Look 6491 View A
  8. A peach top and pant set: McCall’s 7606 View A and D
  9. A green guaze redo(I made this top years ago and will share my original make and this one in a future post):McCall’s 4453 Out of Print
  10. A pink floral top: Butterick 3970 Out Of Print
  11. A styled outfits: peplum tom and slim fit pants: Top, Vogue 9084 Pants, Burda 129B
  12. Two gift cross body bags: Vogue 7862 Out Of Print
  13. The Amy Butler Weekender Travel Bag: I will be using the old version but here it the link to the new version.