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

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.

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.

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.

March 13, 2019June 21, 2019

FaithStJules6 Comments

Gingham and Sneakers

Hey you guy!! I know it’s been a while since I blogged, but it has been a very busy summer. We took a 10 day cruise vacation, the kids had sports, and I also home school them during the summer to prepare them for the new school year. However, with all of that on my plate, I did manage to get quite a bit of sewing in, which I will share on a future summer round up blog post. Today, I have come baring gifts of plaid. I found a beautiful plaid fabric at Joann’s Fabric, and when the associate at the cutting counter told me that it was on sale for $4. 99 a yard, I had to get it. As soon as I saw the fabric, I knew exactly what I wanted to make with it.

The first look that I created comes from @McCall Pattern Company early fall collections, M7813.

screenshot_20180827-135836~21496487990723351537..png

I absolutely love the style and the easy sewing of the skirt pattern. I am already making plans to make other versions for fall. I felt fun and comfortable in this skirt. I styled it my way with my favorite pair of Guess sneakers and I also threw on my favorite leather jacket with it to give it a fall look.

Paired it with a blue bodysuit that I made using McCalls 7606, and heels to dress it up a bit.

As you can see, I was really feeling quite confident in this ensemble, especially this cool hat that my husband actually gave me the idea to wear with the outfit. I must say, he has a good eye, because the hat pulled the whole look together. Below is a video review that I created of M7813

Sewing Project #2

The next look that I created with this fabric was a mashup between two of my favorite patterns, M7783 and V9100. I used V9100 for the skirt portion of the dress, and I shortened the length about 5 1/2″ so that it would be my desired length for the dress. For the lining of the flounce sleeve, instead of cutting four of the pattern piece out of the fabric, I cut two of the fabric and two of the solid navy blue lining that I used. I used a solid blue lining for the flounce sleeves to give it a little contrast. I used M7783 as the bodice, but I lengthened it by three inches, because the pattern was created as a cropped top.

img_20180827_104410~4388335190934504839..jpg

mvimg_20180827_104508~38294434665499009452..jpg

mvimg_20180827_133404~27778556324756959231..jpg — I taped the pattern piece to white craft paper and adjusted the length by three inches. If I decide to use the pattern as intended, all I will have to do is cut the bottom piece and tape it back to the top portion.

At first, I was only going to make a top with M7783 view C, but then as I was getting ready to lay out the fabric to cut, I realized that I would have quite a bit of fabric left over, so I decided to turn the top into a dress. I absolutely love how everything came together once it was completed. I absolutely love modifying patterns as making my own look with it.

I also paired the dress with sneakers to give it a more casual fun look. Now I’m picnic in the park ready, I just need to go grab Toto and my picnic basket.

Thank you guys so much, I really appreciate you taking the time to read my blog. I hope that my content is enjoyable and you continue to come back. Please give me your thoughts in the comment section below. Have a wonderful and blessed day.

August 27, 2018August 28, 2018

FaithStJules

Mommy Makes It

Hi everyone!! I hope all is well with you. It has been a while since I created a blog post, but life has been so busy with work, life, and everything in between. If you all have been following my blog long, you know that my daughter is the reason that I started sewing. She loves fashion, but I am very careful that she expresses herself with fashion while still looking age appropriate. One of my favorite things to do is sew mommy and me looks for my her and I, and sometimes, my son gets in on the fun. I truly treasure these moments, because I know that one day, they will grow up, and may not want to dress alike any more, at least I know for a fact that my son will not. However, as of right now, they love when I make their clothes. When asked by others where they got their clothing, they would proudly say, “my mommy makes it.” Seeing them so proud to wear what I make in a time when so many are label driven, makes me feel wonderful and accomplished.

For this mommy and me look, I used New Look 6487 for my daughter’s dress, but I did a few modifications such as adding a zipper to the front instead of buttons, and adding ruffles to the bottom to make it a bit more unique to her taste.

I created a few pieces for myself out of the fabric that I used. The first thing that I created is a spring jacket using M7730 view A from McCalls Pattern Company. I did not make any modifications with this look, because it is one of those patterns that is beautiful just the way it is. I also made shorts using M6930 view A. I have made these shorts a few times. I also made a ruffle shorts DIY with this pattern. I have a tutorial up on my YouTube channel. I also have a sleeve tutorial on M7730 on my channel as well.

People always tell parents to enjoy their kids, because the days are long, but the years are short. I must agree, because my little girl whom I was just holding in my arms feeding what seems like yesterday, just turned ten and I find myself wondering where the years went. My son will be taller than me by his tenth birthday, and I have been investing in more heels for this occasion. I feel blessed to watch them grow, and I pray for the world that they are growing up in everyday. However, I will continue to enjoy everyday, and hope that they remain long, and I will take more opportunities to share many more mommy and me moments with them while I can. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, I hope you all have a blessed and joyful day.

continue scrolling down for more photos. I also added a photo of our me made looks that I created for Mother’s Day at the end.

MOTHER’S DAY EXTRA

For Mother’s Day, I created a shirt for my sun using Simplicity S8180 view A, I modified S1453 view A and turned it into a peplum top for my daughter. I also modified Megan Nielsen’s Matilda Dress pattern and turned the bodice into a cropped spring jacket for myself. I will be doing a YouTube tutorial on this at a later date, so subscribe to my channel to stay on top of new uploads.

May 21, 2018May 21, 2018

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.

February 18, 2018February 18, 2018

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.

February 15, 2018February 15, 2018

FaithStJules6 Comments

McCalls 7691: Running Errands

Happy Saturday everyone!! It is a bit gloomy and wet here in Atlanta, GA, but it’s still a beautiful day to me because I woke up healthy, and have been blessed to see another day with my family. Being a working mom means that the weekends are when I have to run most of my errands, because my weekdays are taken up by work and activities for the children. Today, I don’t mind running around because I feel comfy in my new me made sewfit.

I used McCalls 7691 and used a fun Premium Paola Brushstrokes Black Liverpool Knit from L.A. Finch Fabrics to complete this look. I also used a ribbed knit fabric from my stash for the sleeves and the upper bodice of the top to give a little contrast.

The only change that I made was to shorten the leggings by two inches because I am 5’3″.

I absolutely love this pattern, I am definitely adding it to my TNT (tried and true) list. I am going to make this and the other option in different fabric choices.

I ran around town, went grocery shopping, and was comfortable and stylish through it all. Though the weather was a bit gloomy, this outfit brightened my day.

Here’s another way to style McCalls 7691. I paired mine with a DIY knit pencil skirt, booties, and layered necklaces. Now I’m ready for a date night with the hubby or a girl’s night out with my favorite ladies. This is a TNT (tried and true) pattern, because I can make it, dress it up, dress it down, and feel fabulous either way.

Thank you guys for taking the time to read my blog. Follow me on Instagram to see other sewing projects that may not make it to the blog.

February 10, 2018July 19, 2018

FaithStJules2 Comments