Mmm. I loved the late morning brunches on Saturdays when Nick and I would head out to Goodness Gracious Cafe - a house-like restaurant built probably in the 40's with large panel windows, lots of sunlight, and notably unexceptional coffee. We'd get there about eleven and find a seat at a small corner table in one of the three dining rooms. I'd usually order a veggie crepe, and a hot cup of coffee to hug while we waited for the food to be delivered. If we were feeling something sweet we'd finish the meal with some decadent strawberries with cream cheese filling. It was a treat to begin the weekend. :)

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 Have you guessed the theme of my contribution to the blog tour? Yep! Brunch (with the girls.)

In a way, the personal theme of this post is "Firsts." This is my first blog tour! When I saw my friend Katy from Wild and Wanderful was co-hosting a blog tour, I knew I wanted to participate! Fun thing, this is her first time hosting as well! Then, this is my first time sewing a true basic, and my first time sewing an entire outfit, my first Papercut pattern and my first successful Megan Nielsen pattern! 

So much winning. Let's jump in. 

This tour is all about fashion and sewing. All the participants chose prompts and the challenge was to create an outfit to wear to that event. 

I don't really DO anything. So when I do go out, I always take the chance to dress up. :) and I don't always take a million pictures, but when I feel this fabulous, I do. I totally do.

For my brunch outfit, I sewed up two pieces, the Copellia from Papercut Patterns, and Tania from Megan Nielsen. It was so good to sew up both of these patterns. I've had them for ages but just hadn't taken the time - let me tell you, after cutting, "the time" was only 4.5 hours. I could hardly believe it. These were both so quickly sewn and I had a new outfit in a jif. (People do still say jif. >> )

Let's start with the Copellia Cardi. I chose the longer, faux wrap version. It actually does wrap, but it's just sewn in place. I got the fabric from Sincerely Rylee fabrics. She does mystery box sweater knits and I got this soft, dreamy red in my mystery box. It's a very lightweight sweater knit and I'm in love. It has a ton on stretch and was pretty flimsy, but it works great with this drapey style of cardigan. 

The sleeves are raglan style and it has cuffs at the wrist and waist. I sewed a size XS which was a size down because the fabric was incredibly stretchy. I wanted to put some clear elastic in the shoulders to keep the seams intact, but since the weight falls on top of the shoulder and the seams are on the front and back, I didn't find it necessary. Since I sized down, it's a little tight at the bottom and it rides up a little, but nothing that will keep me from wearing it. (Translation: Nothing will keep me from wearing it. haha)

The sweater actually does lay flat, but the bulk of the waist seam on the skirt creates a little lump. I ended up pairing this with a belt because I had originally intended to tuck the shirt in, but that just looked frumpy. All in all, I really look rectangle - but I love it anyway. :)

Here is a more casual take on the cardigan. This is honestly how I'll wear it most of the time. SO COMFY. I'm honestly too proud of this. It looks so RTW. People will probably think it's too slouchy, but I'm blinded by motherly love. I love you, my sewing project baby.

This is Tania from Megan Nielsen. Based on my measurements I sewed a blend of the XS and S. I did make a few mods to the pattern. I used knit fabric so instead of doing a zipper, I did an elastic waist. I had to change around a few steps but basically I just sewed both sides of the skirt up and then sewed both the front and back of the waistband together and sandwiched the elastic in-between the waistband and sewed the waist to the skirt.

I have to "think thin" on my butt while I'm putting it on because the knit has exactly about 0% stretch... but all in all I only popped a few basting stitches - so all is well.

Oh. I have a secret for you. 

Surprise! They're actually SHORTSSSSS! It's a SHORTZSUIT! (not really, but watch this video because it will make you laugh. It's totally worth the 40 seconds.)

I haven't hemmed these yet. I probably will. 2:30am isn't my favorite time to hem, so it being knit I just skipped it for the time being. I will hem it though, I think it will keep the edges nice and flat. I'm going to keep telling myself that I'll hem it. I'll hem it. I totally will.

I took this picture to demonstrate how much freedom one has while wearing these culottes. Really I took it for my best friend, mostly because we just do weird shit like this. So, friends - don't be mislead into thinking I'm anything that I'm not. This is who I really am. :D

But sometimes I can look like this. So it evens out I guess.

I do feel pretty fabulous in this outfit. Maybe a little more "career" than I intended, but fabulous none the less.

I completely enjoyed this experience. Though I may say I'd be a little more inclined to pair this sweater with jeans rather than the culottes. Maybe for a cozy, coffee date I would wear the outfit as a whole. I'm totally stoked to have sewn a "basic" piece and really excited to sew up more. I can definitely see that it will get a ton of use. 

Guess what? Did you read my crazy long post? Good for you cause there is a giveaway down here and you don't want to miss it. :D Read those details below and check out the rest of the bloggers participating for this and the following week. ^^

P.S. Thanks to my sister for taking these photos! And for letting me borrow the earrings you made. <3

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Be sure to head over to Wild+Wanderful or Gardening in High Heels to check out the other brilliant bloggers, sewists and stylistas on the tour, as well as be able to link up your own looks and show us what you would Wear to Where!
Now let's talk giveaway prizes for this tour!!
For the sewists: Choice of 3 patterns from Cole's Creations, Choice of 3 patterns from Made for Mermaids, Pattern of choice from Patterns for Pirates, Pattern of choice from Scientific Seamstress, Sewing-tee of choice from Sewing Stadium, Pattern of choice from Simple Life Pattern Co, Pattern of choice from StitchArt
For the Fashionistas: Set of 6 cards from Designs by Nicolina, 30 minute Social Media/Copy Consult by Gardening in High Heels, Tee of choice from Handmade Escapade, $20 Store Credit from Jenny Penny Designs, Tumbler from Joy+Tren
A big thanks to our amazing sponsors!
Cole's Creations | Designs by Nicolina | Gardening in High Heels
Handmade Escapade | Jenny Penny Designs | Joy+Tren
Made for Mermaids | Patterns for Pirates | Scientific Seamstress
Sewing Stadium | Simple Life Pattern Co | Stitch Art
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Is it freezing where you live? Well, it is where I am. I currently have a desperate cat curled up on my lap to keep warm, it's really a mutual agreement - we're both freezing animals.

So let me tell you about this bit of fantastic I'm twirling in today. I tested the Miriam Skirt from Reyna Lay Designs and it was an extra special test because it's Reyna's first pattern! Reyna boasts four years honors degree in Fashion Design, she also runs a successful podcast where she interviews pattern makers, bloggers, and other big names in sewing. Also, she sells her garments from Reyna Lay Designs for purchase if you don't sew! (But if you're here you probably sew, unless .... hi mom!) (I'm being hopeful, haha!)

(P.S. I traveled to the Amazon to take these photos, aka my parent's backyard with a crazy banana tree.)

The Miriam Skirt has several options, including a mini, 1 panel, 2 panels, 4 panels (what I sewed), as well as solid in tea length. All options are pleated and create a full stylized skirt that is perffffff for twirling. (I'm secretly still 7, btw.) The waistband is intentionally thin so you can pair it with a cute crop top (if you don't live in Antarctica Tennessee) but it's cooled off here, so I chose a midriff covering shirt... I really needed a parka. Legit - it's like 53 degrees.

The main fabric is from Joann's, it's a "linen-like" material that I had originally purchased for a dress without realizing how heavy it was. Turned out it was perfect for this skirt as it held the pleats. Plus it looks like a flower galaxy, win! The sheer is just a chiffon from Hobby Lobby, nothing fancy. I thought the weight contrast would make the skirt hang funny but the weight of the bottom strip holds everything in place nicely.

And here is ... this. I guess I was dropping the skirt. I don't know. Looks like I'm saying Psss'shaw... which is something I vaguely recall emo kids saying around high school age.

The actual pattern instructions were pretty straight forward. This is my second skirt ever and first pleats ever. 

-Reyna has a video tutorial to go along with the pattern when you purchase it that assists in the pleats if it's your first time. 

-The pattern also has a "layers option" to just print your size as well as cutting charts if you don't want to print out all the squares and just measure instead. 

-You can print a 4 page pleat chart and just measure the rest! Easy peesy! I chose to print all the pages cause my cutting mat isn't very big and I'm not very accurate with scissors (I use a rotary blade). 

-I sewed up a size 4 according to my measurements on the measuring chart and it fits fantastic! I would say this is my most favorite part of this skirt, sure you can find other pleated skirt patterns, but I don't really want to mess with all the extra ease and slimming it down.

-The instructions are all drawings, not pictures, which makes it a littler easier to see what's going on sometimes. ^^

When I attached the waistband and began to pick the basting stitches, I suppose I picked some of the actual stitches and trimmed too close ... so my skirt is detaching in some areas. (Silly mistakes!) So parts of my skirt/waistband area has a line of zigzag stitches holding them together. Yikes!

I only included this picture because I think humidity makes a cute lions main. <3

Can I include some real talk here, tell me if anyone can relate. When I signed up to test I chose the "mini" as my preferred and check yes that I would do the longer length if my first option was taken. So, long story short, I was picked for the paneled midi instead. At first I was a little disappointed and kept thinking, "ahhh, something I'll never wear!" Then I remembered, testing is to help the designer make an awesome product, not necessarily to get a perfect garment. So I sewed it up and GUESS WHAT? I LOVE IT! If I had been first and gotten the mini, well great, but I would never have made this skirt that makes me feel so elegant and fabulous. Lesson learned, sometimes it great to try something that may not be your "go to." Plus it pairs perfectly with this top. :) Take me on a fancy date, please. 

Reyna was very easy to work with really responsive to all of the testers feedback - I am so excited to see what she does with this new facet of the RLD brand. I think Reyna's first pattern the Miriam Skirt is a total success, it's simple, classic design that has definitely come back into style.

If you sign up for Reyna's newsletter, you get a 10% coupon on your purchase - plus awesome updates when she posts a new podcast!

I had so much fun with the first I did a second, less successful twirling shot. There will be more folks, never enough spinning. :)

Details 

Fabric - Joann's Linen Rayon $10ish/yard for 2 yards = $20

Purple Chiffon $3.00 for 1/2/yard = $1.5

Notions -  Invisible Zipper - 2.99

Thread - $.50

Interfacing - $.50
Approximate Cost: $25.49 (that is super high... I really don't think the fabric was that much, but I bought it months ago and that's what it is now.)

P.S. I really do realize I included 8 pictures (11 if you include each of the spinning shots) of the same thing. I really need to take some detail shots lol. Where is the sewing?! This isn't a look at my face blog, Jesus. But thank you to my favorite sister for being my photographer today. :)

The days are slipping away! Summer is over and I haven't been swimming ONE TIME. I feel like I can't breathe. /anxiety attack. We're on the verge of a huge move. Huge. Like cross country huge. Just so much everything! The feels. 

Ok. I got to this point because I was going to explain why my pictures are so dark. I have always come home from work and snapped a few pics for the blog if I wasn't able to do it on the weekend, but now I'm getting home and the light is like this. : / 

Bye Summer, you were hot in your prime but your really becoming cold, dark, and bitter; I'll be honest, it's just not attractive.  

So - on to the reason you're here. The sewing, the pattern, the goods. :) This is my latest test and from a new-to-me designer Wardrobe By Me. Behind the brand is a Denmark born gal Christina Albeck who boasts more than 20 years pattern drafting experience for Denmark clothing lines. Christina is a complete gem to work with (I can say that since I'm southern right?) Anywho darlins', she's wonderful.

P.S. I shamefully had to google where Denmark was. Way to make me feel like a dumb American "United States-ian," me! It's above Germany, but I know you already knew that. If map drafting were up to me, we'd probably all die.

Christina came out with this little stunner, a skin tight skinny skirt. Lemme tell ya, they call these wiggle skirts for a reason! Slow down long stride, you ain't gettin' nowhere. 

The skirt features paneled sides, a side leg slit and an invisible zipper. 

^This picture^ is for science (sewing) purpose, because this looks seriously weird. I promise my butt doesn't always look like this, this is just awk and long and lumpy. 

 

That thread is driving me nuts^ Let's pretend we don't see it. ;)

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Something I want to mention as someone who is still newer to sewing - these are not beginner patterns. Christina said that she writes the patterns that treat sewers like they know what their doing. There is no hand holding and I struggled with a few parts but I was able to persevere and complete the skirt. :) (Honestly, it wasn't that hard, but a few things were confusing to me that I think someone with slightly more experience wouldn't have thought twice about) I think this is actually a huge selling point for her patterns. So many people write patterns that "teach sewing" and I've heard people complain that it's gets boring and they'd just like some instructions that are for people who know how to sew. THESE PATTERNS ARE FOR YOU! If you're a confident intermediate sewer, I think you'll be fine with them as well. :) 

I made a size 4 graded to 6 in the hip area and it fits! Next time I believe I will use a fabric with more than 3% Lycra for some additional stretch which I also believe will help eliminate some of the drag-lines. Some of the testers used Ponte knit and their skirts look great and comfy! (Hello work skirt!) So I'll probably try that next time, too. (I sit at work and cannot have a waistband in my stomach for 8.5 hours so a knit skirt would be amaze.) 

Check out Christina's other patterns on Etsy here - Wardrobe by Me.  I think she has some unique designs that I'm excited to try like the Akinori dress. I have her new Mikki Dress and can't wait to make it. It will be a stunner for work. Maybe I can't stop violating dress code with my scandalous 2.1" above the knee dresses.

Details

Black fabric from Joann's - Sateen with 3% lycra. $4.99 with 50% coupon for 3/4 yard = $3.75

Floral bottomweight from Joann's - 3% lycra. On clearance for $1.50/yard for 1.5 yards = $3.75 (I only used less than .75/yard.)

Notions - Thread $.50, zipper $2.99, interfacing $.50

Total estimated cost = $11.49  

I tested this pattern and was given the final draft of the pattern for free as well as a pattern of choice from Wardrobe By Me. (I chose the Mikki Dress!) However all opinions still remain my own. Can't buy me ;) Well.... maybe for enough fabric... but still probably not. ;)