: : :Flowy and Feminine: : :

Butterick 5463

First of all, this chiffon was love at first sight for me--it is so soft and feminine...which is exactly what I like to wear. It drapes nicely, too, and the colors are gentle and sweet.

This entire top was made on a last minute whim. I had a much excitedly anticipated date :) the next day and wanted something flowy and feminine to wear...and just happened to wander into this fabric. Problem solved--it was meant to be. So I bought it and the pattern and rushed home to whip it out, haha.

The pattern I chose is Butterick 5463, and I made view A in a size 8. I chose it because it looked flowy. The top only took about 2 hours to make as it is basically two rectangles with a flounce attached to each sleeve. The most difficult part was hemming the chiffon. I learned to just go s.l.o.w. As difficult as it was to not zip along as I like to (hehe), I was happy that I took my time because my hems came out better than they normally do when I use chiffon.

The only gripe I have with this top is that when I wear a belt with it and move my arms alot, the sides pull up...but it's not a huge deal and I guess I can live with it ;) you can see this happening in the front view in the pictures above.

Altogether a simple top to make. I love how it came out--the chiffon is really what makes it just lovely :)

: : :Polka Dots: : :

I made this dress to accompany a friend to a wedding. I love polka dots, so I thought this dress would be perfect...and black and white is always a classy combination. So I decided on a jersey knit polka dot fabric, and then chose Simplicity 1612 because it looked fairly simple (am still new to knits!).

Simplicity 1612. I made view A, which is a knee length knit dress with a twisty tie front and cut-out back.My fabric was a stretchy jersey knit. I made a size 8.

This was a super easy dress to make. I had no issues with fit or construction. The only alterations I made were taking in the back seam and elastic about an inch and adding the black ribbon just under the bust. Oh, I also left off the sleeves because I wanted to pair this dress with the little black jacket (also made by me).

It can easily be dressed down by leaving off the jacket and wearing a black T-shirt underneath for a sort of jumper dress effect--which makes the dress more casual. So there it is! There's not much else to say, except that it's altogether a fun dress! :)

The wedding was lovely, and yup...everybody liked my dress. ;)

: : :Blue Floral Top: : :

I've had this floral blue fabric for about 6 years now because I was saving it for I don't know what. Well, I finally decided to dig it out of my stash and make something with it. I thought a lightweight overshirt sort of top would be nice for summer. I'm not sure what type of fabric it is, but it looks like chiffon and feels like cotton. It is see-through as well...and very soft.

I made view A in a size 8. It's a super comfortable top that can easily be dressed up or down.

Construction was super easy. I didn't make any changes besides gathering 2 inches on the sleeves and then securing the gathers with a button. I also added a button to the back tuck---but these are just aesthetic changes...nothing to do with fit. The fit of this top is not very flattering, but I don't really mind because the fabric I used is very flowy and sort of moves with me.

I probably won't make this top again, but I am overall satisfied with how it came out.

: : :Black and White Blouse: : :

Butterick 5711. View B.

Another great blouse pattern. I used woven chiffon some sort of thin seersucker (thought it was a woven chiffon...but no it's not, lol), and it came out sooo comfy. It has tucks in the front and the back, and gathered sleeves with a band at the bottom of each. It also has a collar.

The instructions were great for this pattern, I had no troubles with the construction. I made a straight size 8 with no adjustments. This top is super flattering and has a great silhouette. I like it. :) It is easy to dress up with a skirt or to wear casually with jeans. Perfect for work and play.

Definitely will make again. I think it is suited to drapey fabrics, though, because it might lay a little bulky if you use something heavier...I'm not sure though, it just seems like that might possibly be the case. So I'll wait for another cute lightweight print to "jump out at me" before making again.

: : :Romantic Blouse: : :

Simplicity 2936. View C.

I've made this blouse three times. Third time's the charm. The first one was two sizes too big. The second one was plaid, and my lines didn't match up. This one came out purrrrfectly lovely.

Everything about this blouse from the tied sleeves to the sweet collar to the delicate tucks remind me of the perfect blouse to wear on a date--hence my title, haha.

I made a size 8 straight through, but ended up taking in the side seams 1/4". I had absolutely no problems with this pattern. I've made it three times after all, but the construction of the first two versions went smoothly as well.

My favorite feature of this particular blouse is the scooped collar and the tied sleeves.

(

this fabric makes it so hard to capture details in a picture

So, there it is. My romantic blouse. (:

: : :another skirt: : :

I fell so in love with the "minnie mouse skirt" that I had to make another version. :D

Here it is....

soooo fun to wear! =)

hand-stitched hem

: : :Minnie Mouse Skirt: : :

Simplicity 1664

I bought Simplicity 1664 about two days ago because I fell in love with the jacket and the pants...but...when I got home I realized there was this cute little skirt included! :) Sweet. Especially since I spent more than I like to normally spend on a pattern. Anyway, I dug up this red and black cotton that I've had floating around for months now. And...wah-lah...a new skirt.

Simplicity 1664 is a quick and easy pattern. There were no issues...and it literally took 2 hours (that includes hand sewing the hem and yoke facing, lol). The pattern is basically two rectangles gathered onto a yoke. I made a size 12 and used an invisible zipper. I made the hem 1.25" wide.

This skirt is nice for winter as I have it above...and it will be great for summer, too. Double win. :)

Only thing is...I sorta feel like minnie mouse in it, haha...but that might be related to my choice of shoes ;)


<<<check out my second version here>>>

: : :Infinity Scarf: : :

To infinity and beyond! Okay, sorry...but check out the infinity scarf!

 I adore scarves in general...but am in love with infinity scarves right now. :) This particular scarf is perfect for sitting in freezing classrooms. I crocheted it a few days ago using homespun Lionbrand yarn and a free pattern from Lionbrand.com...and the best part about the pattern? It only took about 2 hours to finish. That's what I call a sweeeet pattern! :D

: : :Simple Linen Dress: : :

 Simplicity 2174....can you tell I'm excited to be finished with it? ;)

yeeesssss!!!! finally finished :)

pair with a narrow belt and long necklace...and this plain little dress is adorable ;)

Oh my! Is it nearly February already? Seems like yesterday was September and the beginning of my junior year. And it's sad to say, but I've not sewed a.n.y.t.h.i.n.g. since September. I started this dress in August, and had it all finished except for the hem within a week. I finally hemmed it last week. January 21. Yes, I know. Extreme procrastination, right? But...it is really, actually finished now...and I can hardly believe it! Now I can move on to other projects....

So...Simplicity 2174...a versatile pattern with several combinations for nearly any look you're going for. I had some plum-ish linen laying around, so I decided to make a winter dress with 3/4 sleeves. This pattern was exactly what I was wanting. There are two features about this dress that I love--the neckline and the pockets! Cute, cute, cute. It's subtle cuteness...but cuteness nevertheless.

I made a size 8 straight through. I had no problems, no frustration, no roadblocks, no troubles--this dress was smooth sailing. I don't know why I didn't just hem it back in August. haha. But movin' on from that...I used an invisible zipper, hand-stitched the hem, and it was a fantastic pattern. What I love about the Amazing Fit pattern line is the bust options...sometimes I get exasperated with always having to decrease the bust size on other patterns. So...I had no fitting issues with this pattern, and that in itself definitely makes it a keeper (plus it's cute, right!). I might just make a summer dress using this dress pattern...but haven't quite decided yet. I highly recommend it, and hope you'll give it a whirl if you're thinking about trying it out! :)