Handmade Wardrobe // i made a raincoat

Pattern: Lara Sanner Truffle coat

fabric: water repellent raincoat fabric from Fabric Godmother UK (no longer available) Lining is just a black rayon I had in my stash

tee: older handmade Megan Nielsen Patterns Rowan bodysuit

skirt: H&M

—————————————————————————

I made a raincoat! I made a raincoat! I don’t know why I was so nervous about this one. Ive made a cold-weather coat before (for Miverva Crafts that hasn’t been posted yet) in cotton and sherpa, using the same pattern. So I knew what I was doing. But I think something about this slippery, almost plastic-y water repellent fabric kind of scared me. That, and I’d never applied snaps like these before. But the fabric was actually a breeze to sew and the snaps were easy to install. So there was nothing to be worried about.

We’ve had so many rainy days lately, so this is perfect timing getting this done. For a minute there, I thought I was going to have to hold off finishing it until mid-May! I had ordered the wrong zipper, and by the time I realized and went to re-order one, the shipping was saying it wouldn’t arrive to the second week in May. Cue tears, because I already had the coat started and I hate leaving projects half done. But then by some magical mystery, the zipper ended up showing up on my doorstep only a few days later anyway. A miracle! (the zipper was just ordered from Amazon, btw. And the snaps are just basic ones from Joanns).

Handmade wardrobe // thirty three

dress pattern: McCalls 8036

mask pattern: by Craft Passion

fabric: scribble dot by Erin Kendal on silky faille from Spoonflower

———————————————————————————————

Today’s my birthday, and obviously, it looks a little different this year. Some birthday stand out more than others, year to year. For example - I’ll always remember my 30th birthday because we got to spend it in Maui. And now I’m sure I’ll always remember my 33rd as the one where we had to stay home all the time and where face masks to go outside at all. But I was still determined to make myself a pretty dress and take pictures in front of this mural. So I whipped up a face mask to match and off we went.

I’ve been dreaming of a white with black dot wrap dress for awhile now, but I was pretty determined to find a specific dot print. I wanted black dots on white, but not white white. I wanted off-white/ivory/cream. And I wanted tiny dots, not big polka dots. And I wanted them to be scattered, and slightly farther a part, not uniform and close together. I told you - specific. And I was having trouble finding exactly what I wanted. I'd fond a fabric that was the right color and dot size, but uniform and close together. Or I would find one that actually had everything I wanted, but it was in a sheer chiffon, which I didn’t want. So I turned to Spoonflower, because you can find anything on Spoonflower. It’s not the most exciting print to have custom printed on fabric, but it’s finally what I wanted! I went with the silky faille, because I’ve worked in that substrate twice before and I was familiar with it and it was close to the weight I wanted (although I almost went with double gauze!).

I decided to go with McCall’s Sasha dress for the pattern, and went with the shorter, ruffled hem view. I didn’t alter anything, so this is pattern as-is. I only have two complaints: 1. it is shoooort. Or atleast for me. Maybe I’m just not used to wearing this length. But where it wraps in the front does make me feel like the slightest breeze will cause a wardrobe malfunction. and 2. I don’t think I love the shoulder pleats on the front bodice. I think I would definitely prefer for it to be laying flat there. Especially with the poof in the sleeves, the extra poof at the front feels a tad excessive. But I l do ove the big poofy sleeves! And all the ruffles! And overall its a very wearable and cute dress and turned out really well!

Handmade wardrobe // Denim blues

my top: Friday Pattern Company Adrienne blouse in a cotton modal jersey and embroidered cotton eyelet, both from Style Maker Fabrics

my jeans: Megan Nielsen Patterns Dawn jeans in bleached non-stretch denim from Sew Me Sunshine

Penny’s top: self drafted in same fabrics

———————————————————————————

Weeeeell, I think its safe to say that I’ve been pretty productive during this pandemic/time at home. I have now finished another pair of Dawn jeans (my fourth pair!), and another Adrienne blouse (also my fourth!).

Even though this is my fourth version of this knit top, it is my first time using a woven for the sleeves. The color of this embroidered cotton matched perfectly with the coordinating knit, so it was a perfect opportunity! I also created this look with the sleeves by simply creating the elastic casing a couple inches above the hem, using bias tape, instead of the casing right at the hem. I love how extra poofy it makes them! And of course, I used the leftover of the embroidered cotton to make this cute little top for P. It’s made the same way a basic elastic skirt is made - two rectangles sewn at the side seams, and an elastic casing along the top edge. I just simply added some tie straps to make t a top instead of a skirt!

Now, these jeans. Do they look a little tight? Because they’re a little tight, ha. My other three pairs were also tight to start, but broke in eventually after a few wears. So hopefully the same happens here. But these are a fun denim! Its not actually a white, even if it appears to be in the photos. Its more of a really really really bleached blue. Barely blue/grey-ish tint. It’s something different , and I love it. I stuck with the gold topstitching and hardware for contrast (although I haven’t added rivets yet. or even ordered them yet, whoops).

P.S for anyone that might be wondering - We take these photos in a spot close to our house where its quiet and there are no other people. If we expect to pass by or even see other people when we are outside, we wear our masks.

Handmade Wardrobe // living in loungewear

fabric: floral jersey french terry from Style Maker Fabrics (old, no longer available)

hoodie: Style Arc Fitzroy hoodie

pants: Style Arc Como pants

Penny’s jumpsuit: Lowland Kids overalls

——————————————————————————

this set is probably one of the most realistic of all my makes right now, haha. LEt’s be realistic - I’m still making all the pretty dresses and jeans, but all I’m really wearing during this pandemic is loungewear. Sweatpants. Sweatshirts. Hoodies. All day every day. And you know I loooooove a good matching set. A matching loungewear set is no different. I feel like a matching set elevates it and makes it feel like you actually got dressed in an actual outfit, instead of pajamas haha.

But anyway - this is my second pair of como pants. I’m usually a jogger type of girl, but I’ve really been feelin the cropped wide leg sweats look lately. I do feel like this pattern runs a bit small. I want to go up a size next time. Even though its a stretchy knit, it does feel a bit tight around the hips, and pulls the pockets open. Nothing too horrible, but I do want to address it for pair number 3.

on the other hand, this is my first Fitzroy hoodie! Loooove the fit. The only change I made is switch out the sewn in pockets for a self-drafted kangaroo type pocket instead. Nothing much to say, just super comfy, and I’m super happy with it.

Same goes for P’s matching outfit - I could not get over how cute this jumpsuit was on her as she was running around playing. I can only imagine how comfy it was, too!

handmade Wardrobe // mayfair showcase

fabric: Piccadilly rayon designed by Amy Sinibaldi for Art Gallery Fabrics

my skirt: SewDIY Lela skirt

Penny’s skirt: self drafted

————————————————————————————

Hey everyone! Today, I am the next stop in the Mayfair Showcase! Amy Sinibaldi is one Art Gallery Fabrics talented designers, and her latest collection is called Mayfair. It is a collection reminiscent of flower filled neighborhoods around London, and it is gooooorgeous.

I got the chance to sew up these skirts using the rayon option in the collection - the Picadilly in sunset rayon. The coloring definitely comes across as more of a brighter orange-red in the photos, but IRL, its more rust-y, and a tiny bit more muted than in the photos. The print is so delicate and elegant and so pretty. I wanted to let the print shine, without to much frill, so I went with a simple skirt for my look. The pattern is the Lela skirt by SewDIY with the knee length curved hem, angled pocket, and a widened waistband so I could add a little paperbag waist ruffle detail. Pretty simple overall, but oh so cute. Now, the rayon fabric is opaque enough, but it is very lightweight. I didn’t add a lining because I have a few slips that I usually wear under skirts. But you may want a lining, depending on what you’re making and your comfort level.

Penny’s skirt is a quick DIY skirt - just a a rectangular piece with an elastic casing for the waist, and an added second rectangular piece that has been gathered for the bottom ruffle. I love how my skirt has a little ruffle at the top, and hers has one on the bottom. Oh, and I did line hers with a lightweight white lining.

That’s it! Hope you enjoy them. Make sure you check out Amy’s instagram to see the other makers participating in the showcase. There are some super talented quilters using all of the pretty cottons in the collection!