Tag: mccalls

One Shirt Three Looks: The shirt that goes with everything.

Hi everyone! I hope all is well with you. Today I am coming to you with a top that has truly helped me create some wonderful looks. What I love most is that this top can be worn casually and dressy.

I found a beautiful laser cut ponte knit fabric at my local Atlanta fabric warehouse, Fine Fabrics. I am so glad that I bought quite a bit of the fabric, because I wanted to make more than one garment out of it.

I love the laser cut detail.

I used my favorite hackable pattern to create the top, McCalls 6886. I cut it about three inches below the waistline mark on the pattern paper. For the sleeve and hem, I stitched the solid border of the fabric to the end of the sleeve and the hem of the top. Next was deciding what I wanted to create to wear with this versatile top.

I found a very pretty gingham fabric at Jo-Anns, and I knew right away that I wanted to make pants using my favorite jeans pattern, the Ash jeans from Megan Nielsen. I am a stickler for matching stripes, so I cut each piece one by one, and slowly.

Next I created white pants from the laser cut ponte knit fabric using my favorite pants pattern of the summer, Simplicity 8841. These pants were so very easy to make, I added lining of course, I don’t need anyone seeing my private locations 😂😂.

The final look is my most favorite. I absolutely love my skirt, and the blast of color that it gave to my top. I used Simplicity 1369 to create my skirt. The only modification I made was by adding about 6 inches to the width of the skirt, and about 18 inches to the length.

I had so much fun creating these looks for my upcoming birthday, and I will be wearing them until the Atlanta weather tells me it’s too cold, and maybe then I’ll just add a coat and still strut 😂😂.

Thank you all for taking the time to read my blog. I hope that I have inspired you to create something beautiful.

FaithStJules

Pattern Mashup: Simplicity 8841 & Mccalls 7955

Hello everyone!! I hope all is well with you. Often times when we look at patterns, we see the photos on the envelope and set out to recreate it. How many of you look at the patterns for what it could be, and how many ways we can use that pattern to create your version of a look? For me, I often look at patterns as a foundation, a starting point to get me to the design that I have pictured in my mind, or was inspired by.

Two wonderful ladies in the sewing community on Instagram created a challenge called the #sewcialmashup challenge, and it was right up my alley you guys. I found a gorgeous cotton crepe fabric at my local fabric warehouse, Fine Fabrics here in Atlanta, so I decided to use it to create a jumpsuit by using my favorite pants pattern, Simplicity 8841 and for the bodice, I used McCalls 7955.

I cut the bodice at the waistline, which is marked on the pattern, omitted the drawstring on the side of the bodice and added an invisible zipper. For the pants, I made no alterations, I just omitted the waistband. After sewing each piece separately according to the pattern instructions, I attached both pieces together.

This was such a fun project and I absolutely love the outcome. I don’t know about you guys, but I always feel so beautiful and glamorous wearing beautiful clothes, especially when it is made by me.

Thank you guys for taking the time to read my blog. I hope it inspired you to create something beautiful of your own.

FaithStJules4 Comments

TWEED ALL ABOUT IT

Hi everyone! I hope all is well. I have not always been a big fan of tweed, but I must say that I have been converted, and I hold Pinterest responsible. I  saw so many gorgeous tweed looks on Pinterest that I was inspired to create my own modern twist on the tweed trend. I must admit that I was also moved to create a look due to the passing of the late great Karl Lagerfeld, who did wonders when he took over as Creative Director of Chanel’s Haute Couture and RTW line. In my opinion, he modernized Chanel.

I have seen quite a bit of tweed around, and it’s often been in the form of a dress or jacket. However, I wanted to stray from the norm. Therefore, I decided to add my own touch to my tweed design and I used one pattern and beautiful tweed fabric that I purchased from my local fabric warehouse, Fine Fabrics, here in Atlanta, to create two looks. That pattern is New Look 6524.

FIRST LOOK

My inspiration
Top made using New Look 6524
I wanted to add the button touch to the back. Shout out to my son for picking the buttons.

After creating my top, I decided to make a whole outfit, so I used McCalls 6930, my TNT (tried and true) to create shorts to complete the look. Once I realized there was extra fabric left over, I decided to create shorts for my mini me as well using the same pattern. She was so happy, she loves when we wear mommy and me looks. I sure hope that she still enjoys it once she starts middle school next year 😢 (they grow up so fast). If not, I can create her singular looks that fits her ever changing style.

Be still my heart ❤

This look came together in the end, but there were a few changes made before I came to a final decision, which often happens in the planning and creating stage of any project. After trying on the top below, I just did not like the way it looked with the Peplum (it’s so important to constantly try on projects as you sew). I also decided to create gathered sleeves to complete the top.

This was my first idea for the top, but the Peplum was flat and was just overkill in my opinion. I decided to remove it and just keep it simple with the top.

LOOK TWO

For my final look, I decided to create a dress with a cute detail. My inspiration was this very cute dress that I saw on Pinterest. I did not want my dress to look exactly like my inspiration, but I did love the Peplum look on the bottom of the dress.

My inspiration
My version

With this look, I had extra fabric left over, and rather than throwing it to the side, I decided to get creative and make a head wrap with it. I think that it pulled the whole look together.

TWEED TIP

When working with tweed, it is very important that you serge the ends before washing and/or before starting your project. Once you cut out your pattern onto your fabric, make sure that you serge the ends then too. If you do not serge the ends of the fabric it will fray badly and fall apart depending on how long you have it sitting before you complete your project.

Thank you all for taking the time to read my blog. I hope that it has inspired you to start or continue sewing. That feeling of “I made it,” never goes away no matter how many things you make. Be blessed you guys, and remember to do everything with a purpose and with good intentions. Please like and comment below.

FaithStJules6 Comments

Day and Night Dress Challenge

Hi everyone!! I hope that you are all doing well. Today I am going to talk about two dress that I made for a “Day and Night Dress Challenge,” that I participated in for the first time this year. This challenge was created by the awesome Elizabeth of elizabethmadethis.com. This year’s theme is coffee and cocktails, which is perfect, because that’s often times how my friends and I get together when we get a moment from our busy lives to get girl’s time in. We either meet for coffee or cocktails.

Coffee With Friends Dress

For this dress, I modified Simplicity 8136

As you can see, it was designed by Mimi G as a peplum top. I lengthened the people portion of the top and turned it into a dress. I must say that I was completely pleased with the outcome. I couldn’t stop twirling in it.

Cocktail Dress

For this dress I used a pattern that I consider my T.N.T (tried and true) pattern, McCalls 6886

I sewed view A. The only modification that I made was to shorten the dress a little so that it would fit my 5’3″ frame. This is by far one of my favorite patterns, because I can use it as a foundation to create other designs such as any t-shirt or dress design that I can imagine. It’s also very quick to sew.

Thank you guys for checking out my blog. Please take a moment to check out elizabethmadethis.com for more info. on this challenge. There is still time for you to participate. Have a great day you guys.

FaithStJules4 Comments

Father-Daughter Dance 2018

Hello everyone!! Happy Saturday!! The time has come again, for the father-daughter dance. This year, the theme is Paris, which made my daughter so very excited, because all she ever talks about is being a famous pastry chef in Paris. Even her room is Paris themed.

Being the little fashionista that she is, my daughter sent me on a mission to make her a dress for the dance as I do every year, except this year she sent a picture from Pinterest for me to use as inspiration for her dress.

I decided that I would make her dress by doing a pattern hack. I used Burda Kids 9379 for the bodice. I did however, draft my own sleeves because I wanted to create a long sleeve puffed sleeve for the dress.

I also used Mccalls 7112 for the tulle skirt of the dress.

The dress turned out beautifully, and she was so happy with the finished project, which made me happy as well. Now, off to the dance she goes with the first man she ever loved, her daddy. Her dad told her that she was beautiful and that he was proud to escort her to the dance, and that made my heart so happy to see them have moments like this.

To top off her outfit, I made a necktie for her and purchased a beret to complete her look.

Thank you guys for taking the time to read my blog, I truly appreciate it.

FaithStJules2 Comments

McCalls 7723 and 7726: Black, White, and Red

Hi everyone! Happy Thursday! Today I am coming to you guys with M7723 and M7726. I have been drooling over both of these patterns since McCalls came out with their early spring catalog. As soon as I received my fabric, I got to work.

For both patterns, I did not have to make any changes. For the top I used a black and white floral stretch cotton from Fabric Mart. I used a red stretch cotton fabric that I purchased at Joanns to make the M7726 pants.

My favorite part of the top is the double peplum and grommet detail. I had way too much fun adding the grommet to my shirt.

I decided to add a red ribbon to give a pop of color to the top, and I love it. I plan on switching out different colored ribbons with fun prints as I wear this top from time to time.

I absolutely love my pants, and I plan on making many more over time. The fit is amazing and it is very comfortable.

Thank you guys for taking the time to read my blog you guys, it means a lot to me. Please feel free to comment below.

FaithStJules6 Comments