this is a page for
Category: Women
The Ella and matching Mama Ella tops have been updated! The top has always been adorable, with a ruffled neckline and low back, accented by a tie, but the new options and fit will make it an essential wardrobe piece! Now, the ruffle is optional, there is a higher back option, and in addition to the tie back, there are options for a plain band and bow back. Finally, there have been hemline additions; the regular top hem, which hits at the hip, a front tie option, and a dress option. The Mama Ella top has been updated to fit Made for Mermaids new, extended sizes. It has also added two hemlines, tie front with curved back and dress length, and a new cross back option
Today I’m happy to share with you the newest pattern from Love Notions – the Luna Loungewear set. This pattern for both girls and women is amazingly comfortable and surprisingly quick to sew up with lovely results.
The Luna Loungewear pattern is available in women’s sizes from XS-XXXL and girls sizes from 2t-16 and 8P-16P. There are options for a just-above-the-knee length nighty and a cami that pairs beautifully with the shorts or capri-length bottoms that include optional pockets. Seriously, who doesn’t need pockets in their loungewear? So perfect! The women’s version includes a shelf bra as does the girls version in size 8 and up. Everything can be made out of a cozy knit or the shorts/capris can be made out of a woven fabric.
When Amy from Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop released a sneak of the summer blouse she was working on, I knew I wanted in. It was light and flowy, and oh so cute!
The Barcelona Blouse is a loose, flowy top that is perfect for summer heat. It includes a sleeveless and petal sleeve option, and can be made with either knit or woven fabrics. The top yoke is lined, which makes it perfect for a lovely lace fabric. It is available in sizes XXS through XXXL; I tested the size XS in the first round, and the XXXL in the second round.
I don’t know about YOUR facebook feed, but lately my Facebook newsfeed has been full of selfies of enthusiastic fans of a new line of bold and colorful clothing. First there were rumblings over buttery soft leggings, then loud cheers for the fun and colorful designs. Well, leggings are one thing, but then – there was great applause for cute and comfy dresses and skirts. Gorgeous, practical, COMFY skirts. Sound familiar? Now, what woman doesn’t love a pulled together look that is just as easy and as comfy to wear as leggings… or even yoga pants. What is even better, if you love to sew like us, is making your own comfy and cute skirts. You pick the fabric, sew a few seams…. and a cute new piece is ready to wear a few hours later. NOW, what is EVEN better than sewing your own gorgeously comfy skirt, is a FREE PATTERN for one!! Introducing: the Chloe Skirt from Made for Mermaids – available in sizes for both girls and women!
Independence.
noun 1. Also, independency. the state or quality of being independent. 2. freedom from the control, influence, support, aid, or the like, of others. 3. Archaic. a competency.I’m so excited to be linking up with so many talented bloggers this week during the Sew Americana Blog Tour hosted by Wild and Wanderful! I love celebrating Independence Day with our family. We celebrate it small-town America style with parades, candy, and lots and lots of explosives. You will also see that Alisha and I share very similar tastes as we both used the same panel for our days on the tour. Make sure you check out Alisha’s darling boys from earlier in the week here. The 4th of July panels, cotton lycra solids, and firework print were all ordered from Peek-a-Boo Fabric Shop. My look was created with Riley Blake white and navy stripes purchased from the Fabric Fairy.
There is nothing I like more in summer fashion than a comfortable knit dress. Can I tell you all again that I am 5’10”? This doesn’t make clothes shopping impossible, but it often means that I am missing the perfect fit. If it is a hair shorter than knee-length, I can’t comfortably bend or crouch to care for one of my small children. If it is a maxi, I must wear flats to avoid it being awkwardly short. Throw in the dilemma of different bustlines and backsides that every women regardless of height can relate to, and shopping for a simple knit dress is really not actually that simple.
A handmade veil adds such a special touch to momentous occasions such weddings and first communions. In addition to creating a special memento of the day, making a veil can also be much more cost-effective while allowing the lucky lady to have exactly what she envisioned.
For this project, I created a wrist length veil for a petite bride who wanted to wear it more towards the back of her head, as opposed to on top. We started with a 29″ length of tulle to achieve the right length for her hairstyle and stature. Before actually making the real veil, I made up a quick veil, minus the comb, with a very visible rolled hem edge so she could see the exact cut of the tulle, for her to try on and play around with. When working with brides, especially from a distance, this added step can be well worth it. Tulle is relatively cheap so it is easy to play around with, but making the actual veil is a bit more time consuming. Keep in mind that a bulky wedding up-do can make a veil appear a lot shorter.
If you’re anything like me, May is driving you a bit crazy, right? End-of-year parties, finding or making those well-earned teacher gifts, First Communions, Confirmations, Graduations, recitals, field days, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc. All of these awesome holidays and milestones are crammed together right when it is warming up and looking pretty where I live. I’ve had to work hard to stay focused on the things that take priority in our house even though I often just want to curl up in my sewing room while the kids play in the back yard now that our cold spring seems to be disappearing. While I haven’t had time to do some of the more labor intensive sewing projects I enjoy, I have been able to squeeze in a couple hours here and there to sew some simple projects to keep me sane (and well-dressed) through the upcoming weeks.
I love mix and match patterns. When Amy over at Peek a Boo Pattern Shop put up a testing call for another new swimsuit top called the Blouson to add to her Bahama Mama line, I jumped at the chance to test it. I had never sewn a swimsuit or athletic material before, but I wanted to challenge my sewing skills. Plus us ladies here at Sew and Tell Project have challenged each other to a swimsuit sewing challenge this summer.
While looking through my spring and summer wardrobe, I realized one piece I was missing was a lovely sweater to layer over my tops and tanks for those cool spring and summer mornings and evenings. To my delight, Itch to Stitch, a designer I recently discovered, released a testing call for the Lisbon Cardigan right after I noticed this gap in my wardrobe!
The Lisbon Cardigan is available in a full or cropped length as well as with full or 3/4 length sleeves. As testers we were allowed to select which options we wanted to try. After great deliberation, I chose the cropped length and 3/4 length sleeves. I found a beautiful lightweight gray cotton lycra in my stash to use for a nice, neutral layering piece.