Simplicity 8084

So it's been almost a year since I posted. I didn't really sew for myself for 9+ months. I had a baby. I thought I would make maternity clothes, but since she should be our caboose, I didn't bother. 

Now that my body is a little bit stabilized I've been sewing for me again. I've made a few tshirt dresses but thought I'd post this first. 

Like lots of other sewists I've been getting on the shirtdress train this season. I chose to start with Simplicity 8084. I liked the details.

Fabric: I used a poly something that I picked up at Hancock's. So sad they're going out of business as they were one of my favorite local stores. I'm a bit obsessed with florals.

Fit: I added 3" to the bottom of the skirt. I'm tall and wanted to make sure this was a long enough maxi. I moved the casing down an inch. I could have used an adjustment to the back/shoulder because it's a bit tight for me.

the ASH Jumpsuit

I hope you all follow Celina of PetitaPetitandFamily. She's fantastic and a wonderful pinner. She's been on Project Run & Play this season as well.

She's releasing two patterns with Willow and Co. Patterns and one of them is this jumpsuit. (Willow & Co patterns will be launching on April 22) I don't know how I got lucky enough to test... or lets be honest I begged... and she said yes! My daughter lives for dresses and wears them daily... next on her list are jumpsuits. Not skirts... jumpsuits. She loves them, which is one of the major reasons I begged. I needed a good jumpsuit pattern in my arsenal and I knew it would be something my daughter would love.

Pattern: the ASH jumpsuit
Textiles Used: a silky print from the Simply Silky line carried at Joanns. I purchased this fabric last fall to make a blouse for myself and as soon as I even had a hint this pattern would go into testing I decided I would use this. The orange and green in the print really work with my daughter's complexion.
The Good: It's a stinkin' cute jumper and comfy enough for my daughter to wear days on end. Also the instructions are thorough. It's very nice that indie pattern designers add plenty of pictures and instructions to their patterns to help sewers of all skill levels.
The Bad: I wouldn't say this is a bad, but I wish there were instructions for making a casing for the waist elastic in the waistband seam. It's my preferred method. But when testing you follow instructions to a 'T'... so I just used my steam-a-seam to apply my casing and then stitched it in place and had no issues.
Changes Made: I was one of the few who didn't use a cotton. It was actually my favorite thing I did because the fabric I used draped beautifully. 
Changes for Next Time: Next time I would add an inch of rise to the back crotch/bottom seam and then taper the line down to the side seams. My daughter could use just a little extra length back there. It might be due to her size though. I cut the 4T because width wise she's a 4 but length she's a 5... Or next time I'll cut a 5 length and 4 width. Also turning under the fabric around the curves for the elastic casing was beastly with this fabric. Next time I'll interface my facing and serge the edge that would get turned under and then not turn it under and just stitch it down to make the casing... hope that makes sense.
Conclusion: I love this pattern, but the fabric I chose was difficult to work with... so I might not make another until next summer, but I will be making another every spring/summer until she's too big to fit the pattern.

the REESE dress

A little update. I got a part time job. I'll have less time to sew for myself. So whatever I make has to count. It's got to be special. This is my year of quality over quantity and trying new things. I was telling my mom today that I want to sew a coat, swimsuit, button down blouse and pants this year. She says pants are easy and I'll be hooked making my own. How's that for encouraging!

~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~

I was asked to test the Reese pattern a couple weeks ago and it's been released this week. It sewed up quickly and has so many cute details. I love the button tabs and asymmetrical back closure.
So let's get into the review.

Pattern: Modkid - Reese Party Dress PDF Pattern
Textiles Used:  Cotton print from the Michael Miller Glitz collection. When I was asked to test this pattern I knew I wanted to use this fabric. This will be my daughter's Easter dress. I think I have enough to make a tie or bow tie for my son... you know because matching kids are super cute ;)
Sizing: Right on. I made a 4T for my girl and it fits great. I can cinch in the waist with the ties so there's room in the waist and it's not tight in the chest.
The Good: Super cute pattern. Thorough instructions. Sews together rather quickly. Love the details.
The Bad: I still have a hard time getting V-necks to look super clean and pointy. Something I need to work on. The most difficult sewing aspect is sewing in button holes, but other than that it's an easy pattern. Also, you could always do snaps if you're terrified of button holes. I used to be scared but find that if I sewed a practice hole into scrap fabric I was ready to sew into my garment.
Changes Made:  I added pockets. I'll be sharing more about that soon.
Changes For Next Time: I think I'd still add pockets since my daughter is really into them right now. And I'd like to try some tulle peeking out under the skirt.
Conclusion: Highly recommend this pattern!  So cute and comes together quickly. 

~ ~ ~ Risa ~ ~ ~

Sneak Peek Saturday

Can I just say thank you to all that have stopped by and left comments in the last couple days. THANK YOU! 

Can Sneak Peek Saturday be a thing? A once in a while thing? A too excited to wait to properly blog thing? I hope so... because I'm doing it.

Ok, I pattern tested another little dress for my daughter. The pattern hasn't been released yet, I need to photograph it on my daughter, and then I'll properly blog this little number... but I couldn't resist sharing a couple pics.

Wide Leg Linen Pants

So I had to mend a suit jacket for my husband last night. Famous last words: "it'll just take 5 minutes..." Ha! I had to unpick the machine stitching and just hand stitch because it needed to look good and now I told him he has to baby that jacket.

Also, recently, I cut my hair even more. I'm still getting used to it but I love having short easy hair to manage. I've been making lots of earrings lately to feminize my look. I'll blog about them soon... when I can get the husband to photograph me wearing them. Oh and I got a remote and tripod so the pics below were taken by me. Hard to make sure you're in the frame and focused but I'll get it.

My cousin, the woman/mastermind behind Jocole, has been on a roll with her pattern releases lately. The newest one are these wide leg pants. They're great and can be made in a woven or knit. And palazzo pants are coming back ya'll so this would be a perfect pattern... just use a silky woven with good drape. Anyway here are my pics and review. Don't sew? These are available in my etsy shop.

  

Pattern Description: Ladies Wide leg Pants

These sneaky pants look super classy but feel comfy like pajamas ... shhhhh, we won't tell on you. 

Pull-on wideleg pants features an easy-on, comfortable, knit waistband (skinny, regular or fold-over -- wear yoga waistband up for more coverage and support).

The Wideleg version is straight down from the hips and Super Wide leg version is flared out below the hip.

Patterns includes 5 length length options: short length and capri length options, and Petites, Regular and Tall full length.

This pattern is QUICK to make.  The hardest and most time consuming part is printing, taping and cutting -- but it sews together fast.
 Pattern Sizing: XS - XXXL. I cut the Medium. When choosing which size my waist and upper hip are a medium but the widest part of my body would have put me in a large. I could have graded into the large but I measured the pattern pieces and felt there was enough ease to just stick with the medium and that worked out for me. If you're unsure you can always make a muslin in the short length.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes.
Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Love this pattern! It sews up so quickly just like the description says. They're comfy and look nice. I can't wait to make a khaki version or maybe white for summer. Also... maybe I'll actually try that palazzo pant trend with this pattern... who knows.
Fabric Used: Linen/rayon blend so I'd have less wrinkles. Also my knit waistband seems closer to a rib knit.

 
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I added patch pockets, and now the pattern includes patch pockets and instructions to add them. Love that!
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes and yes.
Conclusion: It's a great pattern and sews up quickly and everyone who tested loved them. I'll be making more.