This week marks 6 weeks post postpartum and I am finally starting to feel like myself again since about week 5. It's nice! I measured myself at 2 weeks after Zoe Lou was born and my waist was 2" bigger! I didn't have a lot of extra weight but apparently some. I remeasure and I'm at 28" for my waist, only one inch up from pre-pregnancy. If I didn't sew, I'd never measure myself 3 weeks after having a baby. Just wouldn't be something I'd torture myself with but when you sew, you need to know! I decided to make my original size of this dress, size 4, and it fits beautifully!

The idea was to sew a dress for Valentine's Day but if I'm being real, we're not going out for a hot date for a long time. I'll probably cook something yummy and use the awesome keyhole in the dress to nurse. Haha at least it's on theme with the red and the polka dots! I picked up this lovely DBP from Surge Fabric Shop.

The Aphrodite Dress came together so quickly. I cut it yesterday and sewed it up during morning nap time. The hardest part was top stitching the ties. It was only difficult because I was too lazy to change from my quilting foot to my walking foot. My problem.

This is also unhemmed. We have very limited daylight and I ain't got time to waste!

I didn't do the modesty panel, but it kinda looks like I did. This is a RTW VS bralette. No one told me that you simply cannot wear normal bras while nursing. It's not practical. So now I'm living in my 3 rtw bralettes and my one nursing bra that I've made.

Are you sewing anything for Valentine's Day? 

Details:

Pattern: Rad Patterns Aphrodite Dress Mini

Fabric: DBP from Surge Fabric Shop

Size: 4

Remember when you were little and waiting for Christmas or your birthday and it seems like a year was a lifetime. Adults would always say "Enjoy it while you're young, time flies when you get old." I'd roll my eyes. Every day was an eternity! How could time "speed up"? Well, ask me now. 26. More than half way through this pregnancy, more than a third through 2018, and just TWO weeks away from traveling for a month to Texas for work. Time, please slow down! I missed Summer, don't take Autumn, too. 

Whether I like it or not, it's September and that means Washington is already cold so I made a sweater! Except I couldn't JUST make a sweater, obviously I had to do something different. This is my modified Après Ski from Striped Swallow Designs. Don't get me wrong, the pattern is excellent as designed, I've  just wanted a 60's shift dress for as long as I can remember.

Hello 60's! I only missed you by 30 years. 

The Après Ski was the perfect base pattern for this dress and I really didn't change a lot. I NEEDED those bishop sleeves. Be. Still. My. Heart.

 I added length and then I had to modify the neckline because of ... reasons that you will read below.

I encountered several mishaps while creating this garment but perseverance was key! The fabric I chose was something I got from Cali Fabrics for their Black Friday sale in 2017. I had actually intended this fabric to be a Hideaway sweater, but the shift dress won. The stretch and recovery was my biggest issue. I knew that the fabric wasn't ideal for this pattern, but I wanted it anyway. :)

I sewed size small with no mods except lengthening it until I got to the neckline. The damn neckline. It didn't matter how many times I measured and resewed that derned neckline! I ended up making it too big in the end from cutting and resewing it and finally had to compromise and add pleats at the neckline to prevent gaping. Overall I'd call it a win. :D

My husband gives it a huge thumbs up, I give it a "good try, can't wait to make another." and my mom gives it a "why are you wearing plaid when no one is making you?" Don't ask a former Catholic who grew up in the 60's what they think of your plaid dress. HAHA

If you want to see more versions of the Après Ski in it's traditional form, check out the Striped Swallow Designs Facebook Group! You can purchase the pattern here. It sews up quickly and comes in sizes XS-XXXL.

I blogged about my leggings here. 

No affiliate links are used in this post. I did receive the pattern for free from Striped Swallow Designs for being part of their promotional team. All opinion are my own. :)

Hello August! My tomatoes are growing nicely in the garden, the cherry variation are plenty and I can see one red one outside right now! The heirloom are growing big too, but not any hint of red yet. Unfortunately, the gigantic orange jungle slugs got our peppers, but it's the first year with any plants, so we're still learning. 

Two more non-sewing related updates, one, I'm over 4 months pregnant! We should meet our sweet little lemon early next year. Two, I dropped my beloved camera of 12 years. It made a great excuse to get a new one and I picked up a new Nifty Fifty lens to go with it. It is true love. So you can look forward to seeing more pictures on the blog!

Onto the sewing! This is probably my favorite thing I have ever made. I seriously love this dress. I wore it to Seattle with friend the yesterday and received SO MANY COMPLIMENTS from absolute strangers. I wanted to shout, "I made it!" to everyone, however, as to not embarrass my friends, I just kept it cool and breathily said "hhaaaaa, thankssss." I am as awkward as I possibly can be most of the time.   

This is the famous Miss Ruby Tuesday from 1 Puddle Lane. I have owned this patter for over two years and this is the first time I've made it. It is not the first time I've printed and taped the pattern though. I procrastinate and then I lose pieces. I actually sewed it because I need maternity clothing. It doesn't look like it, but my belly is starting to poke out and I don't have clothing to fit the impending bump. MRT to the rescue! (So far, we'll see how it fits in a few months.)

I fit squarely into the size XS and I sewed it with no modifications. I do own both add on packs for the MRT (Bodice and Skirt). This dress is add on bodice "D" and the original circle skirt. I think for the next one I'll chose the skirt with the side seam pockets. I miss pockets for my phone. This is the circle skirt with one center back seam instead of the side seams. 

By this point you're probably screaming at your screen saying "WHERE DID YOU GET THAT LOVELY FABRIC?!" It's the ever trendy double brushed poly and I got it at So Sew English. That store has such a cult following and I can kind of see why. They stock very cute prints! I actually believe they're stocking more lemon fabric today! 8.2.18 but don't quote me. I think I saw an announcement on Facebook.

The whole dress would have come together (cutting fabric to hemming) in about two quick hours but I was fighting a migraine and I COULD NOT figure out the pleats. Honest, it took me and hour and forty minutes just to do 6 pleats. It was terrible. I have no idea why I struggle so much with the direction of pleats, but it was a puzzle I just couldn't crack.

FYI, this pattern and it's additions looks super expensive, but it's so affordable if you realize how well drafted the pattern is and how many options are included! I wouldn't say it's 100% beginner friendly, she does assume some sewing knowledge but overall they directions are good and the pattern fits beautifully.

Details:

Pattern: Miss Ruby Tuesday by 1 Puddle Lane

Bodice D with cap sleeves and original circle skirt with center back seam 

Size: XS

Fabric: Double brushed poly from So Sew English Fabrics

Photo cred to my amazing firecracker best friend, Katherine Davis.

Fabric was sponsored by Surge Fabric Shop and the pattern is a freebie from Mimi G Style! All sewing efforts and buttons were provided by myself. ;) 

Summer is scared of the PNW. It was 85 three weeks ago and now it's in the 50's. Make up your mind, Washington. I want to wear summer dresses. 

My first summer dress of the season came to fruition this week in the form of the new Jessica Dress pattern from Mimi G Style. Can you even believe this dress is FREE? Here's a link to the dress. You will have to sign up for the Mimi G Style mailing letter and you'll get the pattern in your inbox shortly afterwards. Be fast though, the link expires just 24 hours after you receive it!

If you're not a member already, the Surge Fabric Shop Facebook group features a new free pattern each Friday! It's a really fun way to showcase all the awesome free designs you can find and see them sewn as well as have someone who's made it make.

I sewed the free pattern this week and used some new rayon challis from the Surge Fabric shop. Kayla just got 10 new wovens into the shop and they're lovely. You can find them here. 

As for the pattern itself, it was pretty straight forward. I will say that Mimi G Style patterns don't have the typical "hand holding" instructions that a lot of PDF designers have. However, there is a video to accompany the pattern which is great for beginners and more visual learners. I confess, I just followed the instructions per usual so I could stream Survivor... #guiltypleasures

The bodice has a facing instead of a lining. It works well, keeps the entire dress really light. 

Two things. 

One: Make a muslin. This dress does NOT have a lot of ease. My measurements are 34" 27" and 36" and I sewed the straight size small. I could have blended the small at the waist and the XS at the chest, but with it being a paneled top I didn't want to take the edges in on the wrong panel. Now I see I could have just done the side seams. This is why you make a muslin. The waist in size small is designed for 28" and it still fits me snug. I am swimming in the 36" size small bust, though. Make. A. Muslin. It's worth it. 

Two: My buttons are 3/4" but you should choose smaller buttons than I did. The button panel hardly accommodated my buttons on the skirt portion. You should definitely choose 1/2" or smaller buttons if you want the dress to be perfect.

I tried really hard to channel my inner Mimi G, however I still look like I belong at a picnic in the park. LOL Mimi's "Jessica" makes her look fierce and high fashion. One day I'll get there. :*D

Check out Surge Fabric Shop for their new woven collection!

Join the Surge Facebook Group to see new releases and a new free pattern featured every Friday!

Follow this link to get your own copy of the Jessica dress for free!

April is here! And obviously, as one does, I start celebrating my birthday at the beginning of my birth month. Thank god I get 17 days to pretend to be a princess. :) 

Every year since I've been sewing I've planned to make a "birthday dress" not that I'm going anywhere and not that I'm doing anything, but I want a dress to feel fabulous in regardless. This is the first year in six that I have set out to make a birthday dress and TADAH! I actually finished it. A mashup none the less. 

I combined the Striped Swallow Designs Harbor Knot Dress bottom(a favorite of mine and my husbands ;) ) and the Desert Breeze top. I was excited to sew another Harbor Knot dress. I've only made the one during testing but it has gotten a ton of wear and I needed another for the summer. Actually, the day I finished this one, a pictures collage popped up on my time hop from the night I finished the last one last year! How cute. One year later and sewing the same thing.

I did modify the back to be straight across and used lace and binding to connect to the halter strap around my neck. I actually was inspired by a a dress from lulu's boutique. I'll post the picture at the end! The process to make this is trial and error and a whole lotta "make it work." If I make this combo again I'll shorten the torso by about an inch and lower the neckline by making the halter longer. Over all, I absolutely LOVE it. I think it's just the spice that my last Harbor Knot needed!

I bought this fabric from Surge Fabric Shop. Kayla is the shop owner and she's amazing! She carries cool fabrics like lots of stretch lace, stretch mesh, underwear elastic, and obviously VELVET! She often runs deals on her facebook group, too! Shipping is fast, and customer service is excellent. 

Pay no attention to the goosebumps. It's still 45 degrees in Washington, even though I'm pretending that it's already summer. 

 This fabric is perfect. It makes me feel somewhere in between a baby french bulldog and a classy escort. That's really all I want in life. It was perfect for our cirque du soleil show last night! I actually had multiple compliments from strangers on the dress. Who doesn't love that?!

Inspiration from Lulus.com

Details

Patterns: Harbor Knot Dress and Desert Breeze Fitted Tank

Fabric: Surge Fabric Shop Black Velvet

If you haven't tried Striped Swallow Designs some awesome things about her patterns are

1. LAYERSSSSS

2. Clickable PDF (Go directly where you need to go!)

3. Video tutorials to assist with difficult things (The knot)

4. No trim pages!

Go check them out! Also, me and Mandalynn share a birthday and if history repeats isself, she may be having a sale soon so keep and eye out!

Fabric and pattern for this post purchased by me. Though, this blog post does contain affiliate links so I can sew warm clothes. ;)

It's November already, and it's freezing already in Washington and obviously I decide to make a summer dress. Obviously. 

For this month as part of the Striped Swallow Designs promotional team I bring to you the Summer Dawn Wrap Dress. This one was a favorite of mine since it's release. I actually planned to sew this dress for the wedding I attended in August but Jupiter and Mars didn't align with the sacrificial goat ceremony on the full moon. (The fabric shipment and sew time didn't want to cooperate with my work schedule.) So I put it off until now! Anyhow, the pattern + my doting husband makes me feel like a total fox.

The wrap dress comes in sizes XS to XXXL and is a really flattering shape on many body types. It sure makes me look shapelier than I feel... Ahhemmm... boobs...  

In fact, the Summer Dawn has been gorgeous in every picture I've seen!

Best of all, the PDF has layers so you can print only your size. God send.

We went to a local college campus for pictures and it was approximately freezing. Does anyone else feel super awkward posing for pictures in front of people? I want to make my husband a shirt that says, "It's okay, she sews." Or "This is a work project." ... maybe those would be too weird. Haha
Being on a college campus reminded me how bad parking sucks. Stop encouraging people to go to college, there are no parking spaces left! I'm so glad I have already graduated. My feet were falling off after all the walking we had to do to get to different locations. Totally worth it though.

Here is a slightly blurry pic of the flutter sleeve. This just so happens to be my favorite sleeve type. Delicate, feminine, and so cute. 

This wrap dress is a  little different in two ways. 1. the wrap at the bottom is angled and 2. the front of the skirt actually attaches to part of the tie. This is important to me because it creates a smoother cross over on the bust. Each bodice piece doesn't have to stretch all the way to the waist seam and it creates a more flattering fit than other wrap dresses I've sewn. It also comes with mini and maxi lengths so you can create a formal dress, too!

FYI, when a pattern says they draft for 5'5" and you happen to be 5'7" don't try to squeeze a mini dress into the same length. I didn't hem the bottom because it would be far too short for my comfort if I did! Had I added the extra two inches like I was supposed to, I'd have plenty of room to hem. 

I sewed the XS for the bodice and the S for the hips and I think from printing the pattern to ... not hemming ... was about 4 hours with breaks. Probably two hours of actually sewing time not counting the cutting out. I cut so slow, it's absolutely my least favorite sewing job.

The fabric I used is from CaliFabrics and it's the ever popular DBP. I loved the fabric on the website, I ordered it and it arrived and I suddenly didn't love it and then I sewed it into this gorgeous dress and now I can't think of a better print to have used. It absolutely screams, "TAKE ME ON A DATE!" I love using DPB for wrap dresses because you'll know if you've ever used this type of material that the brushing kind of acts like a gentle Velcro which is really nice when you're worried about the wind blowing your dress flap open. Haha

My husband actually did take me on an impromptu date after the photo. Grabbed some delicious calzones, had some awesome Moscow Mules. (Omg, are those to die for, or what?) and then he kicked my ass in ping pong after which we went to go see Thor. Now that I think about it, who was this date really for? Haha

This dress is perfect for all the holiday parties we have coming up. I'm planning on wearing mine to the friends-giving that we host every year as well as the surprise date I have planned for my husband coming up in December. The long version would be great for family photos for Christmas or family gatherings and the short version would be perfect paired with tights and boots for your holiDates coming up, or even Valentine's!

Details
Pattern: Summer Dawn Wrap Dress $9
Fabric: CaliFabrics Roses on Wine $6.74/y for 2y = $13.48
Thread: $.50

Aproximate Cost $24

Rusty. Rusty is the word of the day. I'm blogging rusty, I'm fabric rusty. At least I'm not sewing rusty. You know the age old saying. "Like in sewing, once you learn to ride a bike, you always need to wear a helmet." That's how it goes, right? Close enough.

So I was gone. No one probably cares and that's legit. So here's the quickest recap I can muster.

Twitter style: I moved 2.4k miles, started a career in sales, left a 9 yr relationship, fell in love, and am getting married May 20th! #JerrySpringer

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Nothing motivates me more than a deadline... so Blam-o I saw one of my favorite designers put out a testing call for a cute dress and that was it. So here I am.

Let me introduce you to the Harbor Knot Tee's sexy sister, the Harbor Knot Dress from Striped Swallow Designs. :)

If you can't already see, let me tell you why this is an awesome dress. It is form fitting, curve hugging, leg showing, awesomeness. It can be dressed up with some statement jewelry and a blazer for a night out or thrown over a bathing suit and worn to the beach with flip flops. (Also, I received no less than 7 "wow" comments from my fiance... that's a winner to me.)

The Harbor Knot Dress features

-Long sleeves

-3/4 length sleeves

-Short sleeves

-Layered printing

-Sizes XS to XXXL 

-Video tutorial on knot

It comes with sleeve options, too. Short, 3/4 length, and long. If the knot looks intimidating, it kind of is before you do it once! However, Mandalynn makes it really simple by including a video tutorial linked directly through the pattern and voila! Suddenly it's as simple as pi.  

The Harbor Knot Dress was a very quick sew. It took maybe 1.5hrs after it was cut. (I sew slowly, especially because I haven't sewn in awhile. I'm extraterrestrial careful.) I could probably sew a second one in 50 minutes if I had a place to hook up my serger. Damn you, small apartments.

Something I love about all Striped Swallow Designs is that Mandalynn includes layers. So that means I only had the print and cut the XS size. Thank you lawt.  

It always helps that I had one hell of a photographer. Thank you, lover. :) He was all "stand up straight, look that way, POSTUREEEE, SMILEEEEE. It was really cute and obviously effective. :) One last thing you'll love to know, this dress is running around safe! I could bend over and the wind was blowing but there was no butt cheeks to speak of. It's so form fitting, the dress gives your booty a nice little all-day-long hug and doesn't let go. It's a simple design with a twist! I love patterns like these because I could make a million of them and they're not so "distinct" that everyone knows I have 4 of the same dress. 

Details

Pattern Striped Swallow Designs Harbor Knot Dress = $9 

Poly blend knit from Joann's - $12.99 @ 40% off - $7.80 / yard for 1.5 yards = $11.70

Notions

Thread = $.50

Estimated total cost = $21.20 less the pattern = $12.20
I received this pattern for free in exchange for testing before it's release.

This dress is one sale for $7 for it's release!

I included this picture because I feel like storm and like I'm going to smite people. Pretty rad. 

And this one, obviously, because I like to complain about being cold, or being embarrassed while having my photo taken. Isn't taking pictures in public while people walk by the worst? Also, Washington is still really cold in March, folks. I didn't sign up for this s***.

So glad to be back sewing! Also, very glad to see some new, sexy patterns coming out. Moar sexy dresses, please. I love to sew what I'd already buy. ^^

Folks, spring is here and I am so happy! It's actually raining as I write this but I was blessed with a gorgeous week, so I'm not even complaining. My friend Emma rushed out with me for a quick photo shoot and helped me capture these awesome photos, thank you Emma! <3 

So I am back to testing! For some reason I can't take a break - I see a cute tester call and I jump at the chance to test. I enjoy the process and I enjoy a deadline. It helps keep me motivated. Plus I'm more likely to blog about it if I tested. I can't tell you the amount of "dead" items that I sewed and never told anyone about. Pictures are so hard to get sometimes!

This is the latest release from Lil Luxe Collection, the Women's Starlight City Dress. Previously it was a children's pattern company with very contemporary designs but LLC has been branching out into Women's wear and I'm very excited! I love the aesthetic of LLC and am excited to have some of my favorite designs made into women's patterns.

The Starlight City dress has a few fun options.

-Bodycon dress (my version)

-Gathered waist dress

-Gathered skirt and top separates

-Bodycon skirt and top separates

-Knee length or maxi gathered skirt

-Short, 3/4, or long sleeves

I sewed the XS based off of my bust and waist measurements and the fit is spot on for a bodycon dress. The waist has an interesting detail. The elastic casing is actually a "flap" that can flip up or down. it stays in place in the "flipped up" position because the elastic and negative ease keep it in place. This is a new to me sewing technique but worked out very well because there is no stress on the waist seam from the skirt. I'll try to get some detailed pics to demonstrate what I'm talking about and update this post. But it's comfortable and keeps the waist from being pulled down and sagging from the weight of the skirt portion.

Ok. Let's get to the important part. THE BACKKKKK! Do you love this as much as I do? Err Mer Gerd. I adore the back of this dress. Cut outs are very "in" right now and this dress is just perfection in the back. Also, if you'll notice my bra. No? You didn't notice my bra? Exactly. 

Jessica and Angie did a ton of leg work to make sure that your REGULAR bra was concealed in this dress. No special bra or duct tape to wear this masterpiece. That's actually not a huge concern for me, but for the bigger chested ladies, it's a total win. :) The twist in the back mixed with the deep V and no special bra really makes this a fun and unique wardrobe piece. It will be great for all those Spring and Summer weddings coming up!

All of my comments on the construction of this dress are based upon the testing version and I'm not sure of the changes, if any, that have been made in the final pattern. The version I sewed was the most updated version of the tester pattern. 

• The pattern features layers, but you have to trim the pages. 
• There are separate bodices for petite and regular torso lengths. 
• The instructions are accompanied by illustrations that are very clear.
• The bodice is fully lined, however the side seams are not enclosed. (You can easily enclose them, but the instructions direct you otherwise)
• There are grainline markings
• There are notches to match pattern pieces
• The sleeves are not cut on the fold

I tossed on a thrift store men's shirt for a more casual "me" look and while the fiance disagrees, I think it's cute. I feel like a rocker or something. -_-

P.S. Is there a way to wear bright red lipstick and not look like a hooker? Especially at 3pm with randos jogging by. I totally fit in. Oh, the awkward things I do.

I definitely DID crawl through 1,000,000 spiders for these train photos. So, relevant or not, I'm posting them. 

Overall the dress was constructed quickly. The waistband instructions caught me off guard for moment but I was able figure it out. It was just an unexpected "new to me" technique but once I read it over, I was able to construct the rest without issue. I'm SO happy they made it where you get the sexy V and cut out but without the hassle of finding a special bra or going braless. Next I'll definitely be sewing the gathered skirt version. That is a little more my pace and I already have fabric purchased for it! :D Because lawd knows that the one thing I need MORE of in my closet is Spring dresses that are inappropriate for work.

Details

Pattern LLC Starlight City Dress $14 (I received the pattern free for testing)

Fabric Black and Patterned knit from Joann's $15

Notions Elastic and thread $.50

Estimated total cost: $29.50

I will be sewing this dress again! The twisted back bodice is so cute and on trend. I need at least one more. 

Make sure that you get the dress while it's still on sale. It's marked down to $9.80 through the week instead of the standard $14.

If you make the dress, make sure you #starlightcitywomens on instagram!