What I made this summer…
Click on the image above for a You Tube video with all my summer makes
So about a week ago someone had posted in my comments something along the lines of “you need to post your makes more often, I’m the same size as you and I would like to know how it looks”. This person was right, I don’t really post a lot mostly because I don’t like getting my picture taken, not because of my size BUT because every time I have to take a picture I have to go get glammed up… and honestly some days I don’t really want to brush my hair or put on more makeup that I need to but I realized that I too would like to see more people in my size range aka “mid size range”, the size were we don’t need the bigger range pattern but we are right at the edge of the largest size in the small range and I gotta say, being in this size range can be a struggle at times. But I’m not going to get into that, we sew because we want clothes that fit. So without further ado
Here is what I made this summer!
I made what felt like a plethora of Zoey Tanks from True Bias. I made a total of five. Mostly because I was trying to nail the fit on this and perhaps I have to do a pattern review on this so you can see how it all went, and also show you my pattern pieces so you see where I adjusted things and why. But here is my last version, made out of remnants (go remnants stash!!!) along with some black rib knit.
Dani Shorts and Lander Pants - Most of the pictures you will see its these pants, and I’m not going to give you the whole view because these pants will be retired after this summer and perhaps moved on into the gardening clothing pile. They are done! What started as a really nice dark gray are washed out, but know I got GREAT use out of these shorts.
I also went shirt camping!!!!
Donny Shirt - Friday Pattern Company - I made one of these tops and I have to say it I didn’t wear it a lot but it was a really comfortable top for summer. It looks dressy in a casual kind of way. I wrote a pattern review for it on Sewing Pattern Review.
The Donny Shirt and I can’t pass up the fun inside of this shirt.
B6924 from Palmer Pletsch - I did a sew along for this, it is a great camp shirt and I actually wear this A LOT!!!! And I’m on the hunt for some more fabric because I can easily make two more. Perhaps I may migrate this towards fall into winter with a lightweight flannel. I made two of these! I posted a really cheeky review on Sewing Pattern Review with a few more pictures of it.
B6924 - Palmer Pletsch Camp Shirt
I made t-shirts too. I told you on my 5 Essentials video that I love a good white t-shirt… yes I do!
I made V8536 (OOP t-shirt pattern) with a great cotton jersey knit from Robert Kaufmann that keeps getting softer with every wash. I made view D and view C… and I wear them a lot! They are on heavy rotation this summer. The thing I love about them, they are good for fall and winter under a jacket or under a cardigan.
Vogue 8536
Vogue V8536 View C (Left) and View D (Right)
I made some more t-shirts but the Ringer type.
I made the Tilly and the buttons Tabitha T-shirt from her book Make it Simple. It took forever to find this lavender rib knit but I did (thank you Minerva!!)
Rio Ringer from True Bias - I wanted to test out some more ringer t-shirts and I do have to say they have their uses but I don’t quite knot if I love them. I would have to say I picked the wrong knit for this. It’s from Joann’s but it was a very stiff knit… nonetheless it got the job done.
Tabitha T Shirt from Tilly and the Buttons (Left) and Rio Ringer T-Shirt from True Bias (Right)
I made some skirts…. two actually!
I used the Mave Skirt from True Bias - I absolutely love them. I kept the pockets for one and for the second one I ditched the pockets altogether, nice to have but they create bulk around the hips and I don’t need any more of that. Super comfortable and great to wear for summer.
I made some pretty tops too with the same fabric from Liberty!
S9469 - I did a sew along for this pattern and it’s one of my favorites. LOVE IT! Made one for my Mom too (didn’t take pictures of this one!)
S9469 Pattern
Selwyn Top from Cashmerette - It was my first time making a Cashmerette pattern and I was really happy with the drafting on it.
Selywn Top from Cashmerette - Yes I used the exact same fabric…. it was some clever cutting.
It was Liberty Fabric I couldn’t let anything go to waste.
I made some dresses! Oh yes I did
Butterick B6208 - I Loved this pattern and I actually wear it quite often. My fabric choice was iffy since it was so sheer and I didn’t realize it until I tried it on and then I had to line it and that was not fun but in the end it was worth it.
Those pin tucks are everything and do you see the hidden darts on the shoulders? That’s what I call clever drafting
McCalls M8402 - This is a great pattern if you are looking for an easy pattern BUT makers beware, you throw this over your head so its somewhat loose. If you want to make it tighter you will have to either add an invisible zipper which you can do, or you can add on ties on the side for a quick tighten it up a little more.
McCalls 8402
Aster Dress from True Bias - I also worked on the Aster Dress from True Bias. It took me three toiles to fit mostly because I didn’t care for the square details around the arms, also making sure I didn’t need a SBA as I usually do with their dress patterns. I will have to do a full blown video on this so I can show you ALLLL the changes I made to this pattern.
Aster Dress from True Bias
I also did pattern testing!
I tested the Kia Dress and Camisole from Sew Love Patterns
I tested the Titatilling Dress and Top from Grace Steel Patterns
I tested the Riviera Trousers from NH Patterns
Kia Camisole from Sew Love Patterns
Titling Top from Grace Steel
Riviera trousers from NH Patterns (Not yet released)
and of course I can’t let summer pass me by without showing you my white denim jacket. Because friends fall is coming! At lest by me it is.
Simplicity S8845 from Mimi G.
Here I am thinking I’m a slacker but looks like I made quite a bit of garments this past summer and I can proudly say I’m wearing every single one of them more than three times and they have all served me well.
