Recently, I've been having fun sewing for ME!!
I've sewn closet-fuls of cloths for Lil' Miss- literally!! Dresses, pants, leggings, skirts, tops, pajamas, jackets and Oh.So.Many.DRESSES!!!! I love sewing for Katy and I will continue to do so as long as she'll allow me. However, sewing for myself seems like the next likely step in my sewing journey.
I've been testing some new women's patterns and participating in some fun blog tours. One of those fun blog tours is the Pattern Revolution "Sew Yourself Some Love" Blog Tour. Meant to promote the beauty within all of us, Pattern Revolution dedicates the whole month of February to encouraging sewists everywhere to, "...take a little bit of time (to) sew something for yourself- even just one thing!" It also reminds sewists to, "...take care of yourself so that you can better care for all the others in your life."
So.... here goes... I'm sewing myself some love, this February...!!
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I've sewn several Patterns for Pirates PDF sewing patterns. However, just as Lil' Miss loves her dresses, so do I! Dresses make for easy dressing- throw one on and you are instantly put-together. I wear a dress at least once a week. So, it only seemed natural to "Sew myself some love" with a dress pattern- the Patterns for Pirates Boundless dress, to be exact!
The Patterns for Pirates Boundless dress is written for knit fabrics. The dress is fitted in the bodice and sleeves. The Patterns for Pirates Boundless dress PDF sewing pattern includes the following features:
-The Patterns for Pirates Boundless dress is sized for XXS-Plus3X (A nice, large size range).
-The Patterns for Pirates Boundless dress includes three sleeve options- short, 3/4 or long.
-The Patterns for Pirates Boundless dress includes four skirt lengths- mini, dress, tea and maxi length.
-The Patterns for Pirates Boundless dress PDF sewing pattern includes pattern pieces for the bodice, sleeves, optional in-seam pocket and cutting measurements for the skirt (less to print!).
-The Patterns for Pirates Boundless dress can be empire waist, or at-waist. (Ready-to-wear dresses that hit at the waist tend to hit me funny and not be so flattering. By sewing my own Boundless dress, I am able to control where the waist hits and make the most flattering silhouette for me :)
-The Patterns for Pirates Boundless dress PDF sewing pattern includes a sizing chart, fabric requirement chart, cutting chart, finished length chart.
-The Patterns for Pirates Boundless dress includes step-by-step instructions with photographs for each step.
-The Patterns for Pirates Boundless dress features no-trim pattern pieces. This pattern does NOT include layered pattern pieces- can I make this post my personal request to make the Boundless dress pattern pieces layered? Pretty please with a cherry on top?! ;-) (The Patterns for Pirates Boundless dress came out before the designer started doing layered pattern pieces).
-The Patterns for Pirates Boundless dress is sized for XXS-Plus3X (A nice, large size range).
-The Patterns for Pirates Boundless dress includes three sleeve options- short, 3/4 or long.
-The Patterns for Pirates Boundless dress includes four skirt lengths- mini, dress, tea and maxi length.
-The Patterns for Pirates Boundless dress PDF sewing pattern includes pattern pieces for the bodice, sleeves, optional in-seam pocket and cutting measurements for the skirt (less to print!).
-The Patterns for Pirates Boundless dress can be empire waist, or at-waist. (Ready-to-wear dresses that hit at the waist tend to hit me funny and not be so flattering. By sewing my own Boundless dress, I am able to control where the waist hits and make the most flattering silhouette for me :)
-The Patterns for Pirates Boundless dress PDF sewing pattern includes a sizing chart, fabric requirement chart, cutting chart, finished length chart.
-The Patterns for Pirates Boundless dress includes step-by-step instructions with photographs for each step.
-The Patterns for Pirates Boundless dress features no-trim pattern pieces. This pattern does NOT include layered pattern pieces- can I make this post my personal request to make the Boundless dress pattern pieces layered? Pretty please with a cherry on top?! ;-) (The Patterns for Pirates Boundless dress came out before the designer started doing layered pattern pieces).
After reviewing the sizing chart, I sewed up an empire waist, 3/4 sleeve, dress-length, size medium Boundless dress with modifications. The cozy french terry was purchased locally at Hobby Lobby (on clearance-yay!).
My Patterns for Pirates Boundless dress modifications were as follows:
-I took length off of the skirt so that the dress would fit my petite frame. I wanted the dress to hit right at the knees.
-I also took about 1" off of the bodice. In hindsight, I probably should have taken another 1/2" off in order to get a more empire fit.
-Also, because I was using fabric from my stash, I did not have enough to fully line the bodice. Instead, I used bias tape to finish the neckline (flipped to the inside so that it's not visible from the outside).
-Fabric choice matters (as it does in any pattern). In this case, the french terry fabric that I used was not super stretchy. Therefore, that affected the fit slightly.
The Boundless dress neckline is a bit lower than I typically wear (front and back bodice pieces are the same). So, next time I sew up a Boundless, I'll probably raise it a bit. However, paired with a scarf and a cozy cardi and I'm ready to go!
I had sew much fun sewing myself some love with the Patterns for Pirates Boundless dress!
I had sew much fun sewing myself some love with the Patterns for Pirates Boundless dress!
Can I get a "What-what!" for those beautiful, matched stripes?!!
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The Jalie Patterns Cocoon Cardigan, "...is a dolman sleeved, loose-fitting front open cardigan.". The Jalie Patterns Cocoon Cardigan PDF sewing pattern includes the following features:
-The Jalie Patterns Cocoon Cardigan is sized for girl's 2- women size 22. That means that with just one pattern, I can make myself AND my daughter matching Cocoon Cardigans!
-The Jalie Patterns Cocoon Cardigan is written in both French and English. (the designer behind Jalie is French Canadian. This makes the tutorial a bit cumbersome and a little confusing to follow, but it sure hits a wide market!).
-The Jalie Patterns Cocoon Cardigan PDF sewing pattern includes a sizing chart, a pattern layout diagram and fabric requirement chart.
-The Jalie Patterns Cocoon Cardigan PDF sewing pattern includes numbered step-by-step instructions with English on the left and French on the right. Shaded diagrams accompany the instructions.
-The Jalie Patterns Cocoon Cardigan is sized for girl's 2- women size 22. That means that with just one pattern, I can make myself AND my daughter matching Cocoon Cardigans!
-The Jalie Patterns Cocoon Cardigan is written in both French and English. (the designer behind Jalie is French Canadian. This makes the tutorial a bit cumbersome and a little confusing to follow, but it sure hits a wide market!).
-The Jalie Patterns Cocoon Cardigan PDF sewing pattern includes a sizing chart, a pattern layout diagram and fabric requirement chart.
-The Jalie Patterns Cocoon Cardigan PDF sewing pattern includes numbered step-by-step instructions with English on the left and French on the right. Shaded diagrams accompany the instructions.
After reviewing the sizing chart, I chose to sew up a size 8 Cocoon Cardigan. The gray sweater knit was purchased locally off the clearance table at Hobby Lobby (for less than $3/yard- score!).
While I sewed The Jalie Patterns Cocoon Cardigan as instructed, I felt like it was REALLY long for my 5'-0" height. There is a shorten/lengthen line included in the pattern and I'll be sure to use that with my next Cocoon Cardigan that I sew up (and there WILL be a next time!). Also, while the Cocoon Cardigan is meant to be over-sized, I felt like the size 8 was a little too over-sized. Next time, I think I'll size down a bit, on top of shortening.
I had sew much fun sewing myself some love with the Jalie Patterns Cocoon Cardigan!
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Sew Yourself Some Love
So- or should I say, "sew"?- do you feel inspired...? I hope that you do! Join us through the whole blog tour and don't miss a day!!! Now, go ahead and SEW YOURSELF SOME LOVE!!!!
Feb 1 Sew Thrifty
Feb 2 Feather's Flights
Feb 3 The Wholesome Mama
Feb 4 Sprouting Jube Jube
Feb 5 Shaffer Sisters
Feb 8 Mabey She Made It
Feb 9 Rebel and Malice
Feb 10 If Only They Would Nap
Feb 11 Sugarplum Cuties
Feb 12 Hibbadoray
Feb 15 Bee Quilted Beauties
Feb 16 Sew Starly
Feb 17 All Things Katy
Feb 18 Friends Stitched Together
Feb 19 Sew Happily Ever After
Sew Like My Mom
***Disclosure: While I received both the Patterns for Pirates Boundless dress and Jalie Patterns Cocoon Cardigan for free (from the designers), the opinions expressed here are my own.***
I want to say a special thanks to the brains behind Pattern Revolution for putting together the "Sew Yourself Some Love" blog tour. Thank you for coordinating patterns, posts, designers and bloggers. Most of all, thank you for inspiring, encouraging and creating! I truly enjoyed taking the time to sew myself some clothing that I will proudly wear! Thank you!
3 comments:
Heather, both of these pieces are so pretty on you! I'm 5'1" and hesitated about buying the Boundless dress pattern--you have encouraged me to go for it. :) Thank you for the helpful tips!
I love both of these pieces. I am a sucker for patterns that have no hemming. Bands and bindings are our best friends!!
I love that dress on you!
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