The Sew and Tell Project

After spending most of my August unable to sew, I sure have been making up for lost time! This past week I tested the newly-released Mama Ava from Made for Mermaids! I always love testing a good wardrobe builder. And it’s been even more fun since I got my new serger! It’s a 5 thread and it’s made my sewing time so much more productive!

This was a bit of a sewing challenge for me. Not because it is a difficult pattern – no, it comes together very quickly! It was a challenge because drapey knits are recommended for it and I am a cotton Lycra girl. I have miles of gorgeous cotton Lycra prints  in my studio, but didn’t want it to end up too boxy per the designer’s recommendation.

The Mama Ava has two neckline finishes  – scoop and v-neck. I was nervous about attempting a v-neck since it had been awhile, but the instructions for the v-neck are fantastic and the finish is so professional. There are 3 hem finishes as well – scoop, top, and tunic length. I’m modeling a lengthened top length.

Since I didn’t have any appropriate apparel fabric in my stash for this test, I hit up JoAnn’s during their Labor Day sale and used my 25% off coupon and 50% off red tags to get this soft, polyester blend knit. The Mama Ava is intended to have a very relaxed fit, and it is recommended to go by hip size for this pattern. I initially sewed an Indigo (my usual M4M size) based on my chest measurement and it was too flowy for my taste, so I went down to Blue.

Another note about this pattern to share is that fabric choice greatly affects how it fits and is styled. I personally found my version (modeled here) more flattering than a super drapey mini rib that I originally used. For my tastes, I think I will stick to fabrics that are thin with poly but still have a bit of body so they don’t sag.

If you have a little girl in your life, you can bundle up and get both the Mama Ava and the Ava together for only $10 for a limited time!