Elastic Waist Summer Dress

Hey Lovelies!!

Time to unveil a clients request! A friend of mine sent me a picture when she was shopping of a dress that she wanted but she didn't love the print of the price tag for that matter. We talked it over and we came up with a cute tank dress with an elastic waist. I ordered the fabric that she chose and after the store took 100 years (exaggeration) to send it to me, I got it knocked out in about a day...maybe a day in a half depending on how much sewing my 9 month old let me do. So lets get into it why don't we...

Here is the fabric she picked:

 Isn't it cute?!

It's a crinkled faille in a beautiful water color print. It's super soft and it flows beautifully. I loved using this fabric because it worked well with me and I didn't have to keep pinning and moving things.

Might have to order some more and make a cute paid of wide leg pants for myself :)

After she and I determined the style of dress she ultimately wanted, I drew a sketch to make sure that we were both going to be happy with the results.. Here is that sketch:

Looking at it now I could have added some more black to emphasize the design of the dress... But whats done is done..

This is the finished dress before I put my label in the inside. As you can see the waist gathers with a bit of 1/4" elastic. There is also a tie belt that is not pictured here but it is below.

Here is the pattern review:

Pattern Description: This is a Sew Simple Simplicity pattern. I think its OOP now but I picked it up at Walmart for $.97!

Pattern Sizing: 10-18

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yup.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Way too easy.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like that it was easy to understand and very quick to make.

Fabric Used: Crinkled faille in a water color pattern.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Sure would! It's a great quick dress for everyone.

Conclusion: This a great dress for beginners and if you can find it then I suggest making one and then a few more!

Studded Denim Clutch + A Pattern Review on Simplicity 2166

Hello Dolls!

I'm back from another break with great news! I just landed a great job...With....

Very, VERY excited about this! I have wanted to work there for years seeing as though I love fabric and crafts of all types. I know one thing for sure...My stash is going to grow like crazy!

Anyways on to the post! I made a denim clutch the other day while bored with nothing to do for a few hours. I was just going to make it plain but I ended up putting some studs down the front to change the look up a bit. I will put a photo down below. I also was trying to decide on a fabric for the inside and while rummaging through my stash I found the CUTEST navy and orange printed charmeuse. I figured why not! 

This is the photo collage that I put together of the clutch.

 So here goes the review:

Pattern Description: Clutch Bags

Pattern Sizing: One size

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, but I have made this before so I didn't follow them.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love how quick and easy it is.

Fabric Used: Denim and a printed Charmeuse for the lining

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I added studs down the front of the flap to jazz it up a bit.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes I LOVE this pattern! It's perfect for beginners and veteran seamstresses

Conclusion: This is a great pattern to have in your collection. I think everyone should have a pattern that is basic for a quick bag when you need one to match an outfit or just because you want to make one.

Thanks for reading and have a happy Saturday!

-Gemini

Simplicity Evening Clutch OOP Pattern Review

Hey Lovelies!

This week I have been taking on new clients and getting new requests, so I guess you can say business is booming lol. I did manage to fine time to make a quick project in-between clients. 

I made a black satin evening clutch with a bow on it. I found some scrap fabric that was enough to get it done without having to scale down the size. So lets get to it!

I used a pattern to make this one. I picked it up a while ago and I figured I'd give it a whirl. Its Simplicity 2166. It's an OOP pattern now, but it will come in handy. (Scroll all the way to the bottom for the pattern review)

Here is the pattern I used. I made view E.

I used black satin fabric that I had in my stash leftover from some other project. I also purchased some sew on stones to decorate the bow on the front. A few pictures are below.

This is how I laid the stones out on the knot portion of the bow to get a feel for how I wanted it to lay.  

This is the bottom half of the purse and the flaps before I put them together. The knot is there as well.

This the finished product!!


And now for the pattern review: 

Pattern Description: Clutch Bags with 5 different styles for the front.

Pattern Sizing: One Size

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?: Yes. The clutch came out just as the picture but the stones that I had sewn on the knot of the bow were different than what was pictured.

Were the instructions easy to follow?: Yes but I did not follow the instructions for the entire bag.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?: Nothing. This was a great pattern to use, and it was quick and easy.

Fabric Used: Black Satin

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I used a different stone pattern for the knot of the bow.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?: Yes I would sew it again and yes I would recommend it because if you cant buy a clutch to match something why not make your own and have it personal.

Conclusion: This pattern is a great one to have as I started above because you can make your own clutch to match anything that you have and you can also put your own twist on it! 



Well that's all I have for you right now. Once the fabric comes for the requested birthday dress that I am making I will update you with those pictures, or if I make something else in between that time lol.

Thanks for reading!!!

-Gemini

I'm back and I bring pictures.

Hey Dolls!!!

I'm sorry I've been gone for quite some time but I had some personal things that I needed to work out, but now I'm back!

I was working on a wine color petal peplum dress when I last left you guys, but that got pushed to the back burner. I have received some requests from clients so that is what I have been working on in my spare time. Of course each request will have its own blog entry, but this one is dedicated to the make-up and prom dress that I made for a good friends little sister.

Here is her dress:

The dress design is a mini dress with a sheer overlapping skirt overlay. It was done in turquoise satin with mirror organza in the same shade.

(The links are not the exact fabric that I used, but they are very similar.)

An up-close and personal shot of the dress.

I LOVE how the fabric shines from the camera flash!

Here is her make-up with eyes closed so that you can see the detail.

There is turquoise, lavender and a little bit of lime green and silver shimmer for her highlight; silver eyeliner with turquoise glitter liner over top...Mascara and lip gloss.

Here's eyes open so you can see the full look.

Oh, and I can't forget the foundation, blush, a little eyebrow powder....

So this is the latest prom look that I have done and hopefully there are many more this prom season coming!

Here is the pattern review:

Pattern Description: Strapless special occasion dress with a asymmetrically draped bodice with boning, side zipper & pencil skirt in mini length. Minidress can be made with sheer overskirt. 

Pattern Sizing: 12-20

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? Pretty much. I felt like a step was skipped but that could just be me. lol

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked the pattern it was easy and it turned out beautiful!

Fabric Used: Satin for the dress and mirror organza for the overskirt.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: The bodice was fitted for a 16 and the bottom was an 18. Other than that the pattern was pretty just the way it came.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes. Now that I have done it and understand what they were instructing on the directions I feel confident that I can do this without the instructions the second time around.

Conclusion: This is a great pattern if you want to try something different than your average prom dress. I recommend it and hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Just make sure you really read the instructions. If you get confused just start over!

-Gemini