Christmas Dresses

Happy New Year! Before the holidays get too far away from us, I thought I better post my creations for Christmas this year. The story on these dresses is kind of funny. I was in Joann Fabrics and came across this lovely fabric. It has a black lace effect over a nude base with some gold and silver shimmer to it. I end up buying 3.5 yards, imagining I would make it into some sort of party dress for the holiday season. 

We can't take a picture together where we both look normal. I must opt for the ones I look decent in- you understand. 

I got home, washed it, and hung it up to dry. Along comes my 3 year old daughter. As soon as she lays eyes on the fabric, she gasps and exclaims "Mama, I need a dwess (spelling intended)". Being the selfish mama that I am, I hadn't exactly planned on sewing her one as well. But I couldn't disappoint. I scoured my pattern collection for a mama and daughter duo that would fit into the allotted fabric length I purchased. 

For her, I used New Look 6205. I made view A. Her dress went together very quickly. I added some black ribbon to the waistline for a little something special. She wears a 3T in RTW, I ended up going with a size 4 on the pattern- glad I did because it fits her perfectly. I think a 3 would have been too small. 

For my dress, I ended up going with my tried and true Colette Laurel pattern. I've made it twice before- my first (and favorite) rendition is here. It's a basic shift dress that doesn't require a lot of yardage- perfect for my mission to squeeze two garments out of what I got from Joann's. I didn't make any changes except for adding a couple inches of length. 

I am very happy with the way the two dresses turned out. We wore these together for Christmas Eve. We got lots of compliments. I had spent $35 on the fabric- not bad for 2 "fancy" dresses! 

Posing with big brother!

No end of the year wrap up for me. If I posted my top 5 makes, it would be my only 5 makes!! I had made more, but I have a hard time getting all my makes posted. Maybe I can work on posting more frequently this year...

~Jenny 

Color Block Dress

Happy Fall! Today I am showing off my color blocked dress I made from Simplicity 1276. This is a design from the always unique and stylish Mimi G! 

I made view A, with the flared skirt, but used the elbow length sleeves. I used ponte roma knits from Low Price Fabrics. I lined the dress with a white tricot that I believe came from Low Price Fabrics as well. I'm guessing I spent about $30 including notions. 

The dress went together easily. I made my standard one size smaller than recommended by the pattern envelope. The instructions are good. I know Mimi G did some accompanying videos that give you lots of great construction tips. I was lazy though- I just did my own thing. 

The torso came out a bit long on me- I should have shortened this by 1/2 an inch or so. The fit is otherwise decent. My one complaint is that the thick ponte knit tends to bunch up in the back of the dress, creating back fat rolls that I don't have. Perhaps this could have been solved by shortening the torso so that it lays flat. I wear this dress with a jacket though so that no one gets an eyeful of the back. I know, I know- make a muslin! I can't do it people!

Overall I am happy with this dress. It looks great with tights, boots and a jacket in the Fall! 

~ Jenny 

Classic Button-downs

Hi all! I've got some catching up to do! This will catch us up on four more garments, one pattern. I've found my Holy Grail for a button-down shirt! Vogue 8772 is the perfect pattern for me! It is a classic button-down shirt with front and back darts that give it a feminine shape. Long-sleeve, short-sleeve, and sleeveless versions are all included and you can even add a tie bow. These aren't earth shattering but they work really great in my new work wardrobe. Check out the collection I'm working on here. 

I made one size smaller than the envelope recommends based on my measurements. I have not made any adjustments to any of the versions. Lucky for me, it fits great right out of the envelope! Instructions are great and this sews up fairly quickly. 

This is made from a blue and white textured cotton I picked up at Joann Fabrics. It's light-weight and great for the warmer weather. 

This one is made from a blue cotton shirting. 

This is made from a cotton lawn from Mood Fabrics


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This one isn't the greatest pic to show off the fabric and what's up with that wonky collar? Sheesh. This is a white cotton shirting with black polka-dots from Joann Fabrics.

I know I will be making more of these in the future. You can't go wrong with this classic style. I'm currently working on my little family of four's Halloween costumes. Let's just say they are from a galaxy far, far, away... 

~Jenny

Floral Lady Skater Dress

Hard to believe almost half a year has passed since my last post! I'm happy to report that I am finished with grad school to become a nurse practitioner! This endeavor has practically consumed me for the last two years. I am excited that it is over and look forward to the new opportunities waiting for me. I will begin my first NP job in a couple of months. In the mean time, I plan on catching up on some much needed sewing and will continue to focus on items that I can wear to my future office job. Check out my work inspired capsule here. 

As usual, I am late to the party. This is my first time making the Kitschy Coo Lady Skater Dress that was all the rage when it first came out three years ago. Don't get me wrong, people are still making it. I'm just never one to jump on the bandwagon right away.  

I used a very pretty floral ponte that I purchased during a trip to Seattle at District Fabric. Coming from a place where we only have Joann Fabrics, District Fabric was a treat to be able to shop at. It is a small store with a huge variety of unique fabrics. I highly recommend a visit if you are in the area. They do sell a few fabrics online, but it doesn't compare to going to the store in person. This is one of many fabrics I picked up there. I believe it was between $6 and $7 per yard. 

The sizing of the dress was spot on for me. I made the size as recommended by the measurement chart. I added 2 inches to the length. I wanted it to hit below the knee to make sure it was work-appropriate. 

I sewed this up in one evening, mostly on my serger. It probably took me about 3 hours. The instructions were thorough. I think this would be a great dress for a novice or someone new to sewing knits. 

I got several compliments the first time I wore this. I love that it can be casual or dressed up- perhaps with a blazer or cardigan. I'm sure I will be making this one again. 

~Jenny 

Black and White Peplum Top

This is a long time overdue. I finished this top several weeks ago as part of my business-casual inspired wardrobe. I'm in a love-hate relationship with it. 

Pictured here with my pencil skirt. Don't mind my curly hair fly-aways. 

I used Vogue 9056. I was drawn to this pattern because I really like the shape of this design.There is a gap in my capsule that needs to be filled with comfortable but stylish tops. 

Photo-bombed by a 4 year old. Hey kid, don't you know that modeling me-makes is serious business?

The fabric is from Joann Fabrics. It is a sweatery double knit fabric. I really like the print. Sure, it reminds me of draperies but I think that's what drew me to it. 

I did need to make a few changes. I'm guilty of not always reading the description and did not realize that this is designed to have a raw finish- yuck! I finished the neckline with seam binding. I hand-sewed the seam binding down to create a cleaner look. And I hand-sewed the hem on both the sleeves and bottom hem. The top as drafted has quite a bit of ease. I took in approximately another 5/8" on each side seam, blending the sleeve seam allowance with the bodice seam allowance. 

Worn with my favorite slacks- from Loft. 

So I've worn this a couple of times already. It is comfortable and goes with different things in my wardrobe. The one drawback is that at certain angles, I'm pretty sure I give off the pregnancy vibe. I'm more vane than I like to admit and not sure I can deal with the insta-pooch. 

What do you think? 

~Jenny 

Jersey Wrap Dress

Wrap dresses are probably one of the most universally flattering styles. I've made this dress before- apparently back in 2009! I love how blogging has allowed me the opportunity to journal my makes! This is a timeless, classic style that will never go out of fashion. And I decided I needed one for my business-casual inspired capsule. The pattern is Vogue 8379.

The fabric is an ITY jersey print from www.LowPriceFabric.com. I ordered a couple of prints during a sale and this was one of them. The colors are black, burgundy, and white. I love the print- it reminds me of some of the classic DVF wraps. I spent about $15 on the fabric. 

I made one size smaller than my first attempt. I also have a serger now and serged most of the seams up. I interfaced the dress from the neck facing, down to the hem along the front edges. And I shortened this a bit by taking up a 2" hem instead of a 1 1/4". 

I think this will be a great piece in my new work wardrobe. It can be styled with different jackets and cardigans, or worn as is. 

~Jenny