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Category: Self Care Sewing

Ice Dyed Remmel Tank

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I like to keep things simple in my wardrobe because honestly I rarely wear things that are  much more than jeans and a tee shirt.  Working at home and living the mom life means I generally grab for comfort but as I have always said you don’t have to sacrifice style when choosing comfort.  A woven tank is my newest obsession, it feels like a dressed up version of just a simple knit tank and is the perfect layering piece as we head into fall.

Sew News

Just over 2 years ago I had the honour of being featured in Sew News magazine in their Meet the Maker series.  I remember when I got the email about it I was overjoyed and felt like the real deal.  I mean being featured in a magazine that I could actually go to the store and buy was bonkers.  And if you are wondering yes I did go to the store and and take a picture of myself with the magazine.

Long Sleeve Leschi

I have a closet full of Leschi tops and dresses.  For awhile there it is all I was sewing because every fabric just seemed to go perfectly with the pattern.  Usually I either lengthen it into a dress or tunic or leave the sleeves off, but this time I wanted to try remixing it into a long sleeve dress.  I had this picture in my head of a simple elastic through the wrist to give the sleeves a bit of volume and the end result is exactly like I pictured.

 

Montlake Swing Dress

Montlake is a workhorse in my wardrobe, I am constantly finding new ways to remix it.  It wasn’t until I saw a picture of my Magnolia dress a couple months ago that I remembered how much I love the swing in the hem.  I figured I could use the same idea on my Montlake for a  more spring appropriate dress for Seattle weather.

Normally when you lengthen a shirt you do that on the lengthen line in the pattern.  But since this was a matter of making the tee into a dress I lengthened it from the bottom hem.  This allows for the dress to still fit you through the bust, waist, and hips since you haven’t changed those measurement.

Eastlake Pattern Release

Creating Eastlake was quite the process, there were multiple iterations of the pattern before I finally decided to just go for it and make a DEEP v-neck top.  I am smitten with how it turned out and with each new version that I sew I get even more excited.  With a closet full of these tops I can definitively say that this style top is going to look amazing on everyone!

The obvious striking detail of this pattern is the v-neck front which is finished with a facing, one of my favourite finishing techniques for knits.  It gives it such a pulled together professional finish without being any more difficult.  To secure the front facing I wanted a wide topstitch which mirrors the bottom hem.  

Magnuson Vest Sewing Pattern | Straight Stitch Designs

Choosing Fabric for Your Magnuson Vest

If you haven’t noticed by now, I love to sew my patterns in as many different fabrics as possible.  No one wants to buy a pattern that is limited to one fabric, or at least I definitely do not.  But what I also want to show is that you will get a different look depending on the fabric you choose.  Magnuson is the perfect example of this which you will see in the 3 versions I sewed.  So if you are unsure of whether Magnuson is even your style or if you aren’t sure which fabric to use, let me help you choose fabric for your Magnuson vest.

Magnuson Pattern Release

I couldn’t be more excited to share with you my newest pattern, Magnuson.  The evolution of this pattern over the last two years has been fun as the designer to watch happen.  What started out as a utility/military inspired jacket has turned into a more modern take in vest form.  So many of the original elements are still there with so many new and fun details.

Magnuson has a button placket, stand collar, side slits and oversized pockets, not to mention the gathered waist.  So many utility or military inspired vests have the waistband casing on the outside of the jacket giving it a very casual look.  I wanted the ability to cinch in the waist but not have the ties hanging down, so inside the waistband went.

Every sewing pattern is just a starting place for all of the things you can do with it. The Leschi blouse pattern has the lines that are perfect for a sleeveless dress. Just a couple changes and you are left with a completely new look.

Sleeveless Leschi Dress

Spring is here and I can finally share with you the sleeveless Leschi dress I made a few weeks ago.  I had been planning a sleeveless version since I released the pattern in October, so I thought why not go for not only sleeveless but also a dress.  This is the ultimate spring/summer dress! 

The fabric I chose really chose me while I was working the Style Maker Fabrics booth at Sew Expo last month, I was the perfect weight and drape for my vision.  Unfortunately they are all sold out, but check out these other rayons you can choose from, I especially love this floral rayon challis.

Madrona Tester Roundup

It’s that time again, the time where I get to gush over these ladies and their tremendous help with my newest pattern Madrona.  These ladies are so much more than just testers to me, they have all become friends as we work together on patterns over and over.  I am so excited to share these pictures with you because so many of these ladies are in different parts of the world so you get to see how it is styled for those of us freezing and the lucky ladies staying warm. 

Here are the lovely ladies that are a part of the Madrona Tester Roundup.

Fauntleroy Tester Roundup

I am officially the worst ever!  This post was started right before I left for Tanzania and then never actually posted, which is bad on two accounts.  Not only did I not share the amazingness of my Fauntleroy tester roundup but I also didn’t get the chance to make my testers feel loved and appreciated like they should.  While no excuse, I did have a lot happening in those few days leading up to our trip so I can understand why it didn’t happen.