Tag: pattern testing

A new pattern and new fabric…yes, please!!!
sewing tutorials · Uncategorized

A new pattern and new fabric…yes, please!!!

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I know that I am usually here talking about bags but I just had to show you all this make! This skirt is the newest release from Sonia Estep Designs, Jessica (aff) https://soniaestepdesigns.com/products/jessica?aff=8! The beauty of this pattern, however, is that it has options…crossover skirt or dress, asymmetrical hem skirt or dress, crop top, plus dress it up or down with fabric choices!!! It is so good and ridiculously easy to sew! This adorable Jack fabric is in round 110 at Oh So Pretty Custom Fabrics https://ohsoprettycustomfabric.com/ and as soon as I received it, I knew it wanted to become a Jessica. My only issue was that I only had a yard and that is not enough if your fabric is directional. The dilemma…do I make the not crossover option or do I stick with my original crossover plan but use a coordinate to make it work??? I opted for the 2nd option and do not regret my decision!

This pattern is a bodycon dress, and I have made that option, but I wanted people to realize that it is also perfect for casual wear! I used cotton spandex (I’m basically wearing pj’s) and paired it with a Summer tank (also from Sonia Estep Designs). You probably noticed that the tank is the same pink I used on the skirt! Something awesome about this fabric…Oh So Pretty stocks the solids in retail!!! They ship super fast, tons of colors available AND they are around 70″ wide…this is huge, my friends! I made this entire outfit out of 1 yard of pink and 1 yard of Jack PLUS I still have scraps big enough for a bag or color blocking another top!!!

Sonia Estep Designs is, by far, my favorite pattern company ever! They are all so well drafted and tested…even before they get to the testers! The fit is spot on every time and the instructions are easy to follow! Oh So Pretty Custom Fabric has become my favorite for fabric! They offer a huge variety of bases during preorders and carry a lot of retail, including solids, vinyl and tons of custom print options! I highly recommend you check both of these fabulous shops out…you won’t regret it!

*some links in this post may be affiliate links, and I receive a small commission. I appreciate your support!

Happy Sewing! ~Christy~

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Binder Buddy tutorial is now on YouTube!!!

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The tutorial for Binder Buddy is finished and published to my YouTube channel!!! This is a scary but exciting journey, and I hope you all love it! This is a very beginner friendly pattern, however, it is made with vinyl or cork because the edges are exposed. Don’t be afraid, my testers all used a domestic machine!!!

Now, I will start going through all the old blog tutorials, and make videos for each of them! You can subscribe to my YouTube channel here to make sure you don’t miss any! https://youtube.com/channel/UCHLSJW6isikidPuWDbP2PYg

Thank you all for supporting me and happy sewing!

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A new adventure!

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I’m so sorry that I’ve been silent lately. Life has been crazy and my creative juices for writing a blog post have just not been flowing. I’ve been sewing… A LOT😂. But also trying to hang out with my kids for the summer. It’s been hectic!

I am currently working on a tutorial for an adorable binder pouch that my customers have named Binder Buddy!!! I’m still not much in the mood for writing, and I always get asked for videos to go along with the blog tutorials, so I’m going to head to YouTube! I haven’t fully decided if I will keep the blog but I do know that I am going to work on a video tutorial for each of my previous blog tutorials! The first video (hopefully next week) will be for the Binder Buddy! Here’s a sneak of this cutie!

When I have my first video up, I will come back here with a link to my YouTube channel! I appreciate all of your support to this point and I hope this change will be well received!

Happy Sewing!

Christy💕

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Mandy!

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We have all seen the super cute side tie tops and dresses on Pinterest. Well, Sonia Estep Designs has given us her take on the look…but better! The newest SED pattern is Mandy and I am thrilled that I got to test it. This pattern has tie or no tie options, dress or shirt length and short or long sleeves! The options are endless with this one.

My first version was a no tie, short sleeve, shirt length in a black/white polka dot single brushed poly from So Sew English Fabrics https://sosewenglishfabrics.com/ . I love the fit of this top, however I may go back and add a waistband to it. I have an average 8″ sidewaist that patterns are drafted for but I am 5’7″ so sometimes I have to add a little length to the bottom…usually I don’t know if I need to until I make the first one! This is one that I think I would be more comfortable with an extra inch at the hip, but it is super cute so I’m definitely not going to let it sit in my closet unworn!

Now, I don’t know if you can see it or not but this pattern has a seam down the back. What is the benefit of this? #1 is you don’t have to cut the back on the fold which makes it easier to save fabric! I was able to get this one from less than a yard! #2 and the most important is that it gives you a beautiful fit and a little extra shape at the waist!

For my second one I made long sleeve, dress length with the tie in a brushed hacci sweater knit from Surge Fabric Shop https://surgefabricshop.com/. I cannot even begin to tell you how soft and cozy this sweater knit is…you are going to just have to trust me!!! I will say that a sweater dress with leggings and boots in August will make you sweaty while you are trying to get somewhat decent photos! And can we just talk about that adorable knot!

Now to tell you the best part about this pattern…it is such a quick sew! I made the basic polka dot one in under an hour, cut to finish, and the dress only took me just a hair over an hour!!! I love patterns that look so fancy and complicated but really are just as simple as a basic tee! This is a pattern that I highly recommend…actually I love all SED patterns! The tutorials are so easy to follow and the fit is always spot on!

*If you would like to purchase this pattern or any others (they are all fabulous), I would greatly appreciate your support! My affiliate link doesn’t cost you anything extra but it does give me a little incentive to keep sewing! #affiliate https://soniaestepdesigns.com/?aff=109

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Oh, Lucy! You are a cute little tank!

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One of the things I have discovered that I love doing is testing new patterns! It is a lot of fun being one of the first people to try out a pattern but my favorite part is that it pushes me out of my box. Before I started making my own clothes, my wardrobe consisted of a basic top (that I usually bought in multiple colors) and jeans. I hated shopping because nothing fit me correctly which put me into a mindset of hating my body. It turns out that my body is not the problem…the problem is ready to wear clothes and their goofy sizing. *I got sidetracked~back to testing!* I have tried so many styles that I typically would not even try and it has forced me to try new techniques that I never learned! I have made rompers, dresses, shorts, cute tanks, learned to do buttonholes, learned about grading to get the perfect fit(I’m still learning though) and tried so many new types of fabric! I don’t always love every single garment but I do always love the way I feel after I have made something that fits me.

The newest pattern I got to test is Lucy from Sonia Estep Designs…isn’t it just adorable?!?! For this tank I chose an ity from So Sew English Fabrics and I really am in love! I love to be warm and snuggly, so I always choose dbp and it is so hard to get out of that box…and let’s face it, I will probably always choose dbp when I can! But sometimes it is hot outside and you need one of those cool, lightweight fabrics (and I am trying to push myself to try new things)! ITY is so easy to work with and has a beautiful drape. And what do you know, SSE has this exact fabric in stock: https://sosewenglishfabrics.com/products/royal-pink-blush-lilly-floral-bulgaree-ity-knit-by-the-yard?_pos=3&_sid=01ef10460&_ss=r

SED patterns are all drafted so well plus the instructions are very easy to follow, making them the perfect patterns for beginners and experienced sewists alike! Lucy is no exception…the only thing I struggled with is topstitching the binding, but that is not the patterns fault! Sometimes my machines like to fight me plus I have never been great at binding! But you had better believe that I am going to be practicing so that I can have that perfect binding next time around!!! Even fighting (re: seam ripping) the binding, this top still only took me an hour from cut to hem!

As an added bonus, this tank looks so cute with the Iris shorts I made using millenium woven, also from SSE! We all know that fall will be here soon, but don’t worry because Lucy looks super cute layered under a Juliette cardigan too! If I haven’t convinced you yet that you need this tank…it is also on sale for release weekend! Using my affiliate link does not cost you anything extra but it does help me to keep sewing: https://soniaestepdesigns.com/?aff=109

I hope you love Lucy as much as I do…and try to not be super jealous of my awesome tan lines! LOL

Let’s all sew something beautiful today!

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