Rock Your Style/Summer Plans

Hello everyone!

I am back to share my second look for the recent photoshoot I did with Atlanta Sewing style.  The theme was "Rock Your Style."  In other words, do your thang!  It actually took me a few weeks to figure out what I wanted my "thang" to be.

I have talked before about how I have a classic style with a bit of trend, and love to air on the side of sophistication.  Keeping this in mind, and wanting to do something with stripes, I decided to make the beloved Isla dress in black and cream stripes:

I have made this dress many times before, so please see here if you would like details on the construction, and a review of the pattern.  

We also took more group photos!!  

You can see the myriad of styles, and how well they blend together.  

I am forever grateful that I got to participate in this event, and look forward to more in the future (wink, wink).

For now, I am getting ready for the summer!  My kids are officially out of school, and I am officially off of work.  It is one of the best times of the year, but it is also when I tend to fade away from blogging.  This year I plan to RESIST the fade...(lol)

While I have been pleased with keeping my sewing plans to two garments a month, I am going to switch that up some for June, July, and August.  I will still do the SYV sewalong, but I would like to work on a mini-capsule.  I have been following along with TomKat Stitchery on YT, and love seeing all of the lookbooks from the garments that she sews.  Currently, she has been sewing "modules" recommended by another Youtuber named Christie Ressel.  

Once I checked out an explanation of the modules, I was hooked!  I can't wait to try it!  Here is the premise of it:

6 pieces of the following create 12 outfit combinations:

• 1 topper
• 3 tops
• 2 bottoms

Each top must coordinate with each bottom, AND if you sew another module up in a complementary color, the outfit combinations go way up!

So, taking this simple formula, I pulled out my favorite kimono as an inspiration piece:

I will use it as a topper, and pull colors from it.  Here are some of my thoughts so far:

1. Sewaholic Renfrew scoop neck tee in a solid navy knit

2. Simplicity shorts in denim

3. Simplicity shorts in white or cotton twill in teal (wouldn't that be pretty?)

4. Still undecided about the other two top choices, but they will be something that coordinate with the pants.  Maybe a sleeveless blouse and sleeveless top?

So expect a slight change of directions for until Fall cycles back around.  I look forward to posting again soon.

Stay sew-filled!

Springing Florals

Hello everyone!  

I hope you are enjoying the weekend!

Today I am so excited to share the reveal of Atlanta Sewing Style's recent photoshoot!! The first look I made was for the  "Springing Florals" theme.  As soon as Spring gets here, I find that florals are on my mind. I just love that they feel bright, beautiful, and full of life.

However, when I first heard of the theme, I admit to being stumped as to what I would sew. That's when I found this teal jersey print at Fine Fabrics.  I was immediately drawn to the bold beautiful colors, and loved that the floral motif was whispered throughout.  I found the Mccalls 6073 maxi version in my pattern stash, and my look was born:

This is a size 12 with the following adjustments:

• 3/8" forward shoulder
• 1/2" dart removed at bustline for neckline gaping
• front crossover tacked for modesty

Though the adjustments do not sound like much, the main amount of work for this maxi was the bodice.  It took me three tries to get rid of the neckline gaping, and get the fit to a place I was happy with.  In hindsight I should have anticipated this because I have had issues with gaping in other necklines many times before.  Gladly, once I got the gaping under control, the front crossover fell at a really nice place, and all I needed was a tack to keep it comfortably closed.  Voila! No cami or tank underneath needed, lol!

This maxi dress also has lovely features like gathering at the bodice, and slight gathering at the back waist.  When I read reviews of other versions for this dress on Patternreview I saw that the elastic casing was a lot of times left out.  In my opinion, I decided to put the waist elastic in because it cinches my waist just right, and enhances the back gathers.  While sewing this, you may want to take that into account and adjust this feature for what works best for you.

Overall, this is a lovely pattern for a confident beginner and up--once you get the bodice fitted for your liking.  

But I would be remiss if I didn't tell you a little bit more about our photo shoot!!  There were a lot of crazy talented sewists there, and they brought the "heat" in so many ways!!!

Personally I was just SO inspired by everyone's interpretation of florals for Spring!! So many sew sisters coming together, showcasing their craft, and letting their creativity speak for itself.  We represent Atlanta, and we love to sew!  

The host location was Topstitch lounge--the cutest fabric shop inside of Ponce City Market.  If you ever get a chance to visit, please go.  You will be glad you did! And if you like Indie patterns, then your heart will be fulfilled because they have an entire wall of just about every independant pattern company.  

Here are a few photos of the inside:

The day was so amazing and I was glad to be a part!

Would you like to be a part?  Check out @Atlanta Sewing Style to follow along with the fun, or join in with us too!  Stay tuned for more looks to be announced next month.

Now, who's in love with the maxi dress as much as I am?? More maxis please!!!

Stay sew filled!

Catching up, and May plans

Hello everyone!

I am beginning to believe that there must be a few times when you follow the plan, and other times that you just go rogue!!! LOL!  For April, I pretty much went rogue.  I loved my plans for the month, but since I was working on a prior commitment, all of my sewing time got squeezed out.

However, I did have a BLAST at Project Sew Atlanta!!!!!  I don't even think I can find the words to describe all of the beautiful sewists I met, or how nice everyone was.  The event was a collaboration between @thatssewmonica and @atlantasewingstyle.  Monica, who also hosts the monthly Sew Your View on IG, was AMAZING!!!!  So humble, so sweet, so beautiful, and such a warm personality.  I only wish I would have taken more photos!!!  Nikki, who co-hosted the event, heads up Atlanta Sewing Style. It was also a pleasure to meet her!  She has a wonderful vision for Atlanta sewists, and has created this group (which I am a part of) to bring the local sewing community together in a fun and creative way.

This is the only photo I captured, and it was near the beginning of the event, so everyone was setting up their spaces. We were all in a big room filled with tables and outlet access for all our machines.  There were groups of four to each table, and additional ironing stations in multiple corners.  There was also a cutting table in the center of the room, and some benches pushed together for additional layout space.  The setup gave everyone a chance to chat with their respective "group" but also not feel cramped in the space.

For the morning there was coffee and light refreshments, followed by pizza during the afternoon.  I stayed and sewed until 12:30pm, but I wished I could have been there for the entire event which ended at 4.  Right before I left there was a time of sharing where everyone gathered around and shared their social media handles and information.  There was just so much inspiration in one room!!! So many creative minds working on such beautiful things.  

Actually, there is already another event coming up on May 25th!  If this sounds like something you would love to attend, and you live in the Atlanta area, or are willing to travel (we had someone drive from Florida) then follow @atlantasewingstyle. There will be some exciting things showcased starting the weekend of May 4th!

That said, here is the Isla dress I completed at Project Sew:

I have really learned to maximize my time at sew events!  Yes, I love to socialize, but I also want to go home with a finished garment.  So, I usually bring TNTs when I have extended sewing time.  That way I can sew without pattern instructions, and still chat with others without gettting distracted from what I am doing.

I am sure you are wondering what I will be doing for Me Made May 2019.  Last year I had so much fun taking daily photos, and participating in an online FB group contest, BUT this year I won't be as intensive.  I will still be celebrating my handmades "in the spirit of MMMay, yet at this point in my sewing journey I think my next challenge would be to work on pants. 

I haven't chosen any patterns for the month yet, but I am excited about the Sew Your View pattern choice for May:

I really love the longer length variations, and the sleeve detail on View C is such a different take on a shirt dress.  Again, I will be looking through my stash to see if I can utilize fabric I already have.  The fabric recommendations are: chambray, cotton, linen, seersucker and shirting.  I am certain I still have some shirtings, though not positive I have enough yardage.  This one is a real fabric hog, lol!

Overall, I am SO thankful to be moved back into my home! I am looking forward to this month, being back in my sewing closet to sew, sew, sew!

Stay sew-filled!