Gallery Tour

I have made quite a few Gallery tunics and one Gallery dress (actually two, but one didn't last).  I fell in love with the pattern as soon as I saw it. I had visions of making it in all kinds fabrics!

I made a dress length version, with the full collar and cuffs, in black and white buffalo check first.  It fit wonderfully, but the fabric choice was all wrong for that style. I looked like I was wearing a giant table cloth!!  I took apart the bottom and shortened it to a tunic and now it is perfect!!

Then I cut another dress (also with the full collar and cuffs) in an amazing dot chambray.  I absolutely LOVE how it turned out.  I get compliments every time I wear it to work.  The fabric is perfect for this pattern.  Clearly this dress needs ironing. . . .

I decided to try the other length, sleeve and collar options.  I made a 3/4 sleeve, tunic-length top with the mandarin collar in blue double gauze.  The fabric is very comfortable and I think it works ok for this top but I am not in love with the mandarin collar and the 3/4 sleeves.  The full collar sits open and creates a nice neckline, but the mandarin collar seems flops closed and I think it loses something.  I knew I would regret the 3/4 sleeves the second I cut them.  I just don't wear that length very often.  There is nothing wrong with them, and I may find I get more comfortable with them in the spring, but for now, I wish I made the long sleeves.  My daughter, who was four at the time, took the photo.  Excuse my facial expression.

I then grew determined to try this top in flannel shirting.  I LOVE plaid flannel shirts, but I rarely find ones that fit the way I want (tunic length in a good quality, warm flannel).  I tried the tunic length Gallery with the mandarin collar (not sure why- I guess I wanted to give it another go?).  Unfortunately, the fabric really shrunk when I pre-washed it and I ran out  - I couldn't make the facing with the shirt fabric so I used some plain blue.  This one isn't going to last.  I don't like the way the blue facing fabric looks and the collar doesn't sit right.  Boo. In fact, I didn't even take a picture.

Next, I made a tunic length version with the full collar and cuffs in flannel as a pajama top.  I lengthened the sleeves a little because I like to pull my sleeves over my hands.

Next, I made a shirt in black and grey flannel shirting.  When I made my pajama top, my button hole making went on the fritz.  Since I am not dedicated enough to hand sew buttonholes, I lengthened the sleeves and hemmed them.  I miss the cuffs, but it works fine like this.  

And finally, I made another dress length Gallery in yarn dyed flannel shirting.  It is SOOOOOO comfortable!

Yet Another Washi Dress

The Washi Dress is by far my most-used pattern.  This is the small bow version from the expansion pack.  I used a really nice double gauze  The only downside to this one is that it is a little sheer so I need at least a half slip underneath.

This is one I made a few months ago (also with the small bow)

Leralynn Dress

I recently finished the Leralynn Dress by Blank Slate Patterns. This is the fabric.  I love how it turned out!

Next time I might lower the darts a little and use interfacing for the welt pockets.  I might also adjust the arm openings a little.  They are sort of a cap sleeve in the pattern.  I like them but if I want to wear a cardigan with this in the fall, a different opening might work better.  

Ruby Love

One of my favorite patterns to sew in the summer is the Ruby Dress.  The is one of the first versions I made and I LOVE it.  I only had a small amount of the red and white fabric, so I color-blocked it with the gray.

My 8 year old took these next two:

I made another Lisette B6244 coat.  I used sweatshirt fabric this time and I left the edges raw.  I also lengthened the sleeves so I could make a cuff.  I love the two-tone effect!  I have worn it non-stop since I finished.  And that is a Gallery tunic underneath.

Rowe's Tunic

This is Rowe's Tunic by Style Arc patterns.  I used another kit from Craftsy.  The pattern came together beautifully and the top/dress fits like a glove.  The fabric that came in the kit is a really nice interlock knit.  The only problem is that the light color makes me reluctant to wear this as a dress.  I feel like I will always need leggings under it unless I wear a slip.  I hope to make another one in a darker fabric.

As I said, the pattern came together very well.  The only problem I had was that I had to unpick the back of the collar and re-stretch/sew the neck band.  I had one or two puckers the first time and I wanted it to look perfect.

Lela Tunic

I recently finished the Lela Tunic by Green Bee patterns.  I purchased the pattern and fabric (a light weight voile) as a kit from Craftsy.    I love the finished product, and it is going to be a great top for spring!

I will probably make another soon.  I might even add some length for a dress version.  One change I will make is to draft a neck facing.  The pattern uses a long bias strip and though I was able to use it without any puckers on the curves, I think a facing would work better and be less aggravating.  I might also make a shorter sleeve for summer.

Schoolhouse Tunic

I remember reading about the Schoolhouse Tunic YEARS ago, but it didn't strike my fancy at the time.  For some reason, it popped into my mind a few weeks ago and I became obsessed with getting the pattern and sewing it.  I love my first one which is my wearable muslin.

 I made come changes:
-I added interfacing to the neck/bodice facing.  That wasn't in the directions, but it seemed necessary. -I lengthened the sleeve to give it a full length sleeve.  My personal message to pattern designers?  Enough with the 3/4 sleeves.
-I eliminated the top stitching around the front of the bodice and collar.  This fabric has such a clean, modern look to it and I thought the top stitching would mess it up.

Overall, I think this a great pattern.  It was easy to understand the directions and it didn't take too long to sew.

Washi With Long Sleeves

I made this dress over the summer, but I never blogged about it.  It is the Washi dress in blue linen.  I made a bias bound neckline and I used the same bias tape for the elastic casing in the back and the cuffs.  The pattern calls for shirring across the back, but my Brother just won't do it.  I know some people have solved this by fiddling with the bobbin case, but I am reluctant to try that.  I added a long sleeve- I used the free 3/4 sleeve Rae released a while back and I lengthened it to full length.

I am very happy with it!  It works well with tights and tall boots.  I just cut another in fine-wale cord and I can't wait to sew it up.

Great pattern. . . Bad photos

Here are 2 Washi Dresses I made this summer (I have made a few dresses from this pattern before but I never took pictures).  One is in light blue linen and the other is in dark blue double gauze.  They are comfy and they fit wonderfully.

Lisette B6168 in linen

I really wanted to make the other view, the tunic view, of Lisette B6168 (I made the dress version at the start of the summer).  I used a really nice medium weight linen.  I really like the pattern, but if I were to make it again, I would use a lighter weight fabric.  The linen is great, but it got quite bulky when putting all the mid-section pieces together.  

Cappuccino!

I just made the Liesl and Co Cappuccino dress from a pattern I bought a LONG time ago, but I never got around to making.  I loved the picture on the cover (first page) of the pattern so much and I wanted to replicate the dress shown there.  Usually I look at a pattern and immediately think of a different color or fabric I would like to use but not this time.  While browsing fabric.com, I came across this Art Gallery voile that had a similar look to the fabric on the pattern cover.  The dress is lightweight and a little sheer, so I will always need leggings with it but I don't mind. I really love it!  When my seven year old saw it she gasped in delight and said, "Mom, you look like outer space!"

Another Beatrix

I made another Beatrix top this week.  The fabric I chose is a light weight yarn dyed plaid - is it a gingham?  It has a very soft feel and great drape.  It was on a shelf of assorted out-of-season fabrics.  When I saw it a light bulb went off in my head.

I made view A again, but I added length to the sleeve.  I was torn between adding a button cuff (like the Oliver and S Gallery tunic) or making an elastic cuff.  I opted for the elastic cuff because I like being able to push my sleeves up and down with a minimum of fuss.

I love this shirt.  This morning was cool in my area and so I kept it on for quite a while!  This will definitely be in heavy rotation this fall!

Beatrix top

On the day it was released, I purchased the Beatrix pattern.  The teasers posted on Made By Rae had me hooked!

I opted to make view A with the 3/4 sleeves.  I tend NOT to like 3/4 sleeves, but the pictures of Beatrix tops with 3/4 sleeves Rae posted on her blog were the ones I like best so I decided to give them a chance.  I figured I could always change to short sleeves down the line if I was so inclined.

I used an Amy Butler voile that I had been saving for the project.  The fabric is buttery soft and very light.

I selected the C/D cup bodice with the size medium.  Here is my advice to anyone thinking of sewing this pattern - READ THE MEASUREMENTS SECTION.  My top ended up being too big and I had to adjust it to get the right fit.  I based my bodice choice on the cup size I usually buy, but if I had looked more carefully at the finished measurements of the garment, I would have made a better choice.  Next time I will either make the small with the C/D cup or the medium with the A/B.  I am leaning towards the latter because I can always play with the darts if needed.

The directions for this pattern are fantastic and the illustrations are very clear.  To me, it felt similar to working with an Oliver and S or Liesl and Co pattern.

For anyone who may be concerned about sewing a curved hem, it is really no big deal.  With a curve, you are working with the fabric on the bias so it is easier to manipulate.  Also, when  the curved hem is very narrow, as it is in this pattern, there are fewer issues of puckering.

I love my Beatrix!  It is so comfortable and it is a great pattern to highlight fabrics I love.  I think voile, double gauze, or linen would be best with this pattern because it is not super fitted.  A stiffer quilting cotton or heavier fabric would look awkward.

Here it is:

The bottom of the button placket is tucked under a little in the picture, but it is not usually like that! Below is another picture of the back, but the photo quality is TERRIBLE!  

One thing I need to point out is my pattern matching on this garment. The tips of my darts end at the EXACT same point in the pattern on both sides.  I also managed to match the pattern the button placket.  I am pretty proud of that!

Selfish Sewing

I didn't sew much this past year.  I won't re-state my home situation other than to say it can be completely exhausting.  Also, I took on a part-time job in addition to my full-time teaching job because i needed to buy a new, used car.

I volunteered as an independent study teacher at work this past school year.  I worked with a wonderfully creative student who is headed off to FIT in the fall to study fashion design.  Though she was brilliant at the artistic initial stages of fashion design, she had very limited sewing experience.  She worked with me after school to learn sewing and to create a couple of costumes based on YA novels she read. Each time I worked with her, I got the itch to start sewing more seriously again.  I decided to start sewing more for myself.

I started with the Liesl and Co Gallery Dress.  I thought it looked like a great piece for fall!  I made the 8 and I am thrilled with it.  It fits perfectly and it was fun to make.  I made this one in a really soft dot chambray.

When I finished, I decided to make some summer dresses.  Work is REALLY hot in the fall (no air-conditioning) and dresses are a huge part of my wardrobe.  My first dress was a Lisette pattern .  I LOVE the pleats in the front.  This is a red chambray which sewed up very nicely.

Then I made an Everyday Skirt.  I have used this pattern before and I knew I would like it.  I wear my first Everyday Skirt so much I thought a second would be useful!  I used chambray. . . again. The photo is terrible but you get the idea. I don't aspire to be a professional blogger!

Then I made two Lisette Round Trip dresses.  The first is made with Cotton and Steel fabric.  I hesitated to use a quilting cotton for a garment, but I loved the print so much I decided to give it a try. Excuse my facial expression.  My 7 yr old takes my pictures!

Then I made another in grey linen.  This time I switched the invisible zipper for an exposed zipper.

I have many more garments planned.  I have cut a couple of zippy tops (the full length version) and I just bought the Beatrix pattern.  I have some beautiful linen and double gauze I can't wait to work with!

Skirting the Issue skirts 3 and 4

These two skirts are size 5/6.  They are also cotton with lace trim.  All will be mailed out for donation later this week.

Skirting the Issue Skirt #2

This is my second skirt to donate - a cute cotton print

Skirting the Issue Donations

I just finished my skirts for Skirting the Issue.  I made three for little girls and one for an older girl.

This first one is a dark blue cord skirt with darts for shaping and an invisible zipper in the back.  It is a Juniors 11/13.

Ruby Dress

I decided to give Made By Rae's Ruby dress a try.  From Rae's blog posts,  have determined that she and I have similar proportions so since it worked for her, I figured it would work for me.

The first one I made was in regular old woven cotton.  I knew it was not the best choice for a dress since quilting cotton doesn't have great drape but I have had this piece of fabric in my stash FOREVER and I love the print.  I decided it was time to use it up.  I was a little short on fabric so I added a band at the bottom.  I also added a little to the length.  I am about 5'9" and I am teacher - I wanted to be able to wear this to work. These photos stink because I took them while learning to use the timer on my camera.

Even though the fabric choice was not ideal, I love the dress. I was actually really surprised that I like it so much.  When I saw the the gathering is ABOVE the fullest part of the bust I wondered how it could be flattering but it is!  I know some people are adding belts to this dress but I have never been able to getting into the cinching style; it just doesn't do it for me.

For my next Ruby, I decided to use a geometric print ponte de roma fabric.  I used stretch black denim that I had leftover from a pencil skirt I made for the top part.  I added a few inched to the length.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE this dress.  The only issue I have with this dress is that I used store-bought bias tape.  It is a little stiff and it makes the neckline gap a little.  I would love to make my own more often and I even have the little bias tape maker to use with my iron but I rarely have the time to do anything that requires an iron.

I have three more Ruby dresses planned.  The dress is a quick project and I highly recommend giving it a go.

Hide and Seek Dress

I made the Oliver and S Hide and Seek dress for Maya.  I really love it.  I read a few reviews before I started so I was prepared for the fact that it has a lot of pieces and that seam finishes would be an important part of this dress.  I see so many possibilities for other dresses from this pattern!