Parisian Top

The Just Add Jeans collection from Pattern Anthology may just be my favorite collection of women's top patterns. This is the Parisian Top and the second one I've sewn from the collection. I liked it so much that I had to make two! The Parisian was designed by Andrea, of Go To Patterns, featuring a peter pan collar and 3/4 length sleeves. For my first top, I decided to use a cotton interlock fabric from my grandma and contrasting black hembands.

Day Tripper Tops

I was so excited when I found out that Pattern Anthology was coming out with a collection of four knit top patterns for women! All of the designs are so cute and tops are lacking in my handmade wardrobe, so these patterns are perfect! My mom and I both decided to make the Day Tripper top, by Shwin Designs first.

Little Color Swap - What I Sent & Received

Hello Everyone! Recently I participated in a Little Color Swap, hosted by Lisa of Sweet Little Pretties. The swap was based on your favorite color and you had to send your partner 1 fat quarter, 1 spool of thread or embroidery floss, 1 sweet/chocolate and 1 surprise.

I forgot to take pictures of the items I sent to my partner, but her favorite color was green. I sent her a green fat quarter with different words on it, green embroidery floss, green buttons for the surprise, and green peppermint candies. I'm not sure if she has received it yet, but I hope she enjoys all her treats!

Lisa, from Sweet Little Pretties had my name and she did a wonderful job of picking out items in my favorite color...turquoise! I love the pretty wrapping she packaged every thing in...

 

And here is what she sent:

 

The fabric is so pretty and I love the little scissors! The thread is very pretty and shiny. I was able to use it already in a turquoise project I was working on. The match was perfect! Also, the chocolate she sent is very delicious!! Thank you Lisa!

 

~Elizabeth

Coco // What Does the Fox Say?

 

Recently, I have found some fun new blogs to follow. One I have been reading is Tilly and the Buttons and I happened to find it just as Tilly was releasing her new pattern, Coco. It can be made as a dress or a top and there is also a variation for a sixties style funnel neck (my favorite!) and rolled cuffs. I made the three quarter length sleeves but there's also an option for long sleeves.

Thank You!

Two years ago today I started this little blog. I was a freshman in college and decided I wanted a place to share and keep track of all my sewing projects.

I just wanted to say, thank you so much for reading my blog and commenting! I appreciate each of you and am blessed with all the friendships and people I have met through the blogging community. I am amazed everyday with the blogging and sewing community. Everyone is so wonderful and they are willing to share their experiences, creativity, ideas and support. I am always so inspired by what everyone is creating!

I have come a long way since my first post two years ago, and I am still learning about blogging all the time. I'm glad you're here for the ride!

Have a wonderful day and thank you again for reading my blog!

~Elizabeth

Pinafore Dress

 

This week, I was inspired by Tricia from the Farmish Momma to make this Pinafore Dress after she posted pictures of one she made with some instructions here. I am friends with her oldest daughter, whom I have seen pictures of wearing dresses similar to this one. However, I never knew they were handmade! I loved the style after I first saw my friend's dress, so I was happy to find out I could make one myself!

 

The construction was so easy! I read the blog post and that same night I cut out the pieces to make the dress, which are basically two rectangles plus the straps. The instructions given in the post say to make the skirt by multiplying your hip measurement by 4. However, I thought that would make the skirt a little too gathered for me (and Tricia made the dress for a younger girl) so I multiplied my hip measurement by 3. I think next time, even doubling it would be enough.

 

In the back I decided not to cross the straps, but you can if you want to. I also used an invisible zipper, but any type of zipper would work just fine. I also didn't put the zipper up far enough when sewing it in, but it's not that big of a problem.

 

 

It's hard to tell in these pictures, but I used red thread for the topstitching. I made a wide 6 inch waistband and the skirt hits just past my knee. The fabric is some I've had in my stash for many years. It is wool and was given to me by a sewing friend when my interest in making clothing first began. There must've been 4 or 5 yards total because I have previously used this fabric to make both me and my mom a skirt. I had enough for this dress and there are still a few bits and pieces left.

 

I want to make more of these dresses in cotton. They would be perfect for the summer and I think my sister would like one too! The wool is perfect for the weather we're having now though. It is so warm to wear, but I was freezing when I took these pictures! It was only 3 degrees! Brrrrr!

 

The skirt is very full and so fun to twirl!

 

Linking up with Farmish Momma for the Pinterest Pin-along.

~Elizabeth

Go-To Cape and Winter Boots

This week, the challenge over at Project Sewn is "If the Shoe Fits". The idea is to pick your favorite pair of shoes and sew an outfit to go with. I live in Minnesota. And right now we have tons of snow! So for this challenge, I chose my winter boots because they definitely keep my feet warm and dry, which is perfect if you have to walk around outside in this weather!

Do you wanna build a snowman??

 

In case you're wondering, yes, I did build a snowman, by myself, wearing my Lady Skater dress, leggings and boots. I put my cape on afterwards though.

 

I thought my Go-To cape would be perfect with my winter boots. It is a fully lined cape made using purple plaid wool and plain purple flannel for the lining. I was actully getting hot standing in the sun while I took pictures. It is 40 degrees today - a heat wave compared to the weather we've been having here!

 

The cape has an oversized hood, which is one of my favorite parts! I also made the peekaboo lining - you can see the lining "peeking out" on the hood. The pattern calls for four 3/4" buttons, but I thought that size was too small, so I used four 1 1/8" buttons. They worked perfectly!

 

 

Andrea, of Go-To Patterns, designed this cape to hit at the hip level. However, I wanted a longer cape, so I cut out the long length, which is for people taller than 5'9" (I'm 5'7").

 I was having fun with the photo shoot! You can see the plaid in this picture too. It's harder than you think setting up a tripod in the snow and running back and forth after every picture. The snow is pretty deep too! There must be over a foot accumulated in the back yard - the snow almost came to the top of my boots.

Here's the back. I have always been afraid of sewing with plaid, but I did it! And the back seam matches up!!

I received the plaid wool from a friend and have had it for a few years. I knew I was keeping it for a reason! It is so warm and pretty thick. I bought the flannel at Jo-Ann Fabrics when it was on sale, and I was able to use a gift card, so I only ended up spending $15 for 4 yards of flannel. That's a deal!

Oh, you know, just contemplating life. :)

 

Finally, here's a better picture of my boots, since the snow covered them in almost all my other pictures. They were the whole inspiration for my outfit. As you can see, they're pretty wet in this picture, but they kept my feet dry!

Would you wear a cape?

~Elizabeth