Love Notions Olympic Dress

 I quickly made a dress to jump-start my sewing mojo. The Love Notions Olympic dress is a tried-and-true pattern for me. I included a tie/belt made from the same fabric. Short sleeves and a below-knee length skirt make this dress an excellent choice for everyday wear.

Love Notions Olympic Dress

Sewing has become more challenging due to my severe arthritis. On some days, I manage better, while on others, I'm unable to sew at all.  I just take it one day at a time.

Happy Sewing

Bonnie

McCall's 7969

 I am very late to the McCall's 7969 dress party!  I finally dug out my McCall 7969 pattern and made a quick bodice muslin then sewed up my version of the famous dress.  Overall it's very roomy but I liked the style and the fit of the dress.  I used a very thin rayon challis from my stash and this dress may weigh 12 oz. perfect for Florida summers.

McCall's 7969

Back View

Sleeve

I'm off to sew something other than raglan sleeves!

Happy sewing

Bonnie

Love Notions Timbre Peasant Dress

 Love Notions Sewing Patterns ranks among my favorite pattern companies. Their designs accommodate my shape well and are typically fast to assemble. The Timbre Peasant Dress proved to be an excellent choice for me. I appreciate a dress that's quick to make, and any garment that's comfortable for Florida's heat and humidity is a bonus. After creating a swift muslin, I noticed the skirt had ample room, prompting me to choose a smaller size.

Love Notions Timbre Peasant Dress

Muslin-Plenty of hip ease!

Mumu?

Reminds me of a one size fits all hospital gown!

After removing 4" of hip ease at each seam allowance I prefer this fit better.  Elastic at the waist helps too.

Revised muslin fits much beter

Elastic waist helps too

Back View of Muslin

I used a polyester plaid crepe fabric from my fabric stash for this version.  I added 1-1/2" to the length of the skirt and used the elastic bishop style sleeve.  No waist elastic but I made a self fabric tie/belt.

Timbre Peasant dress

Plaid poly crepe Timbre dress

I appreciated the dress pattern for its quick assembly. One day, I might attempt to create another version that's a bit more casual.

Happy Sewing

Bonnie

Itch to Stitch Comillas Dress

Life's busy pace, especially with two adorable grandbabies and another on the way, often interrupts sewing time. I don't manage to do much sewing during the day, and by the time the little ones leave, I'm too exhausted! However, the new Itch to Stitch Comillas Dress has caught my eye and inspired me to start a fresh sewing project!

I created my first piece using a polyester bubble crepe fabric bought from FabricMartFabrics online a while back. It's a three-tier maxi skirt. The construction of the three elastic casings at the waist was somewhat challenging but manageable. Although the skirt's length is quite warm for Florida's climate, it's beautiful to wear.

I made a shorter version with two long tiers, omitted pockets, used a 1-1/4" elastic at the waist and fashioned a tulip style sleeve.  I used a rayon snakeskin print challis from FabricMartFabrics.  This version says Summer in hot & humid Florida!

This rayon floral print challis voile version is almost perfect!  I made the skirt with a long and short tier, pockets and 2-inch elastic at the waist.  The skirt hits just below my knee and the voile is so light and airy for Summer wear.

Last week, while at work, Boy F. discovered these machines by the roadside, earning him the title of "favorite child of the week!" I've had to order new foot controls, but they all seem to be in good condition. There's something special about a metal sewing machine.

The White sewing machine is operational! It stitches beautifully and will make a wonderful addition to my collection of sewing machines!

Happy Sewing!

Bonnie

Love Notions Chorus Maxi Dress

With a few adjustments, the Love Notions Chorus Dress turned out to be a success. I opted for the version with a shallow front neckline, no sleeves, and a plain back, excluding pockets. It surpassed the muslin version in quality. However, I do find myself missing the pockets.

Love Notions Chorus Dress

Back View

I might attempt a version featuring a deeper draped neckline with a plain back. The Chorus dress offers so many variations that it might be impossible to sew them all!

Happy Sewing

Bonnie

Love Notions Chorus Dress (Muslin)

I'm a huge fan of Love Notions Patterns. Their latest release, the Chorus Dress pattern, caught my eye, and even though it's quite similar to the Styla Portofino Dress pattern I already own, I couldn't resist making it! The pattern was straightforward to sew, and I liked the pockets.

 For my trial version, I chose the short dress with a deep front neckline, draped back, and split sleeves. The draping is decent, but the dual drapes at the front and back make the dress prone to slipping off my shoulders. The sleeves are fine, but not exceptional. The combined bulk at the waist from the pockets, skirt, bodice, and elastic was overwhelming. Perhaps my choice of fabric print also played a part in my dissatisfaction.  Don't get me wrong, I don't hate the dress but I'm probably not going to finish the hem & wear it.

Love Notions Chorus Dress

Back View

Split Sleeves

I believe this pattern holds great potential, so I will attempt to sew another version of it.

Happy Sewing

Bonnie

Seamworks Benning Dress (Muslin)

I experimented with a pattern company new to me. Seamworks offered the Benning Dress PDF Pattern for free, so I decided to give it a try. The pattern was straightforward to sew, requiring only a few minor fitting adjustments. For instance, I lowered the bust dart by 1 inch, a typical alteration I need to make.

I created a quick muslin using a repurposed bed sheet and followed the pattern instructions closely. The skirt tiers required sewing three rows of stitches for gathering, which I liked. The neck facing and side seam pockets turned out perfectly. Overall, I liked this pattern, but I believe a softer fabric would be more suitable.

Seamworks Benning Dress

I think a 1-1/2" round back adjustment is necessary for the final version since the dress tends to shift towards the back on the shoulders. The lengths of the skirt tiers seem more reminiscent of a nightgown, so I might consider altering them in the future.

Back View

Happy Sewing

Bonnie

Love Notions Melody Dolman Shirt

I don't often wear shirts as I prefer dresses, but the Love Notions Melody Dolman Shirt piqued my interest. Sewing it was straightforward, although it took me four days due to frequent interruptions from visiting little ones. The pattern is excellent. Now, I need to sew a skirt to coordinate with it.

Love Notions Melody Dolman Shirt

Back View

Button front camp shirt

Upon examining my closet, I've realized I lack a camp-style shirt. Could you suggest suitable bottoms? Perhaps a skirt or capris? (I prefer not to wear shorts.)

Happy Sewing

Bonnie

Ellie & Mac Diana Fuchsia Tiered Skirt Dress

 I'm usually not keen on solid-colored dresses because they tend to reveal bra lines and other imperfections. However, I've just finished sewing a new version of the Ellie & Mac Diana Tiered skirt dress using a Fuchsia ITY knit fabric. This time, I added short sleeves with elastic to create a playful look. I'm quite fond of the dress, but I'll reserve judgment until I wear it to decide if it's a keeper.

Ellie & Mac Diana Tiered Dress

Elastic sleeve

Back View

Happy Sewing

Bonnie

Ellie & Mac Diana Tier Skirt Tropical Floral Dress

 I had to sew up another version of the Ellie & Mac Diana Tier Skirt dress!  I had this Tropical print ITY knit fabric in my stash that begged to be sewn into a summer dress. I made the scoop neck with lined flutter sleeves and a three tier skirt.  I love how you can mix & match this pattern!

Ellie & Mac Diana Tier Skirt Dress

Scoop neck & flutter sleeves

3 tier skirt

I only lengthened the bodice by 1-1/2" since three tiers would weigh down the seam a bit.

Back View

Happy Sewing

Bonnie

Ellie & Mac Diana Tiered Blue Paisley Dress

 I just had to make another version of the Ellie & Mac Diana Tiered Dress.  This time I made the square neckline with the runched center front making it look like a sweetheart neckline.  I also made the 3/4 length sleeve with the shirring.  I love this dress!

Ellie & Mac Diana Tiered Dress

Shirred Sleeve

Runched neckline

Back View

Happy Sewing

Bonnie

Ellie & Mac Tres Belle Wrap Maxi Dress

 I have quiet a few Border print ITY knit fabrics in my stash and really need to venture out use them.  I thought the Ellie & Mac Belle Wrap dress with the straight maxi skirt was a great choice.  I used one of the border lengths for a self fabric belt.  I really love the look and fit of this dress the only downside once I wore this was remembering that living in hot & humid Florida a maxi dress is VERY warm!

Ellie & Mac Tres Belle Wrap Dress

Back View

I hope to find more inspiration for border print fabrics.

Happy Sewing

Bonnie

Ellie & Mac Diana Tiered Dress

The Ellie & Mac Diana Tiered Dress caught my eye when it was released, and I finally found the time to sew it up.  I liked the idea of the square neckline and the tiered skirt.   The pattern did not disappoint and I think it may be a TNT favorite now! 

I sewed this wearable muslin version up in a jersey knit I had in my stash from Fabric Mart Fabrics.  I lengthened the bodice by 2" per the instructions to measure my side waist.  The fit length was perfect!  I made this version sleeveless with a two-tiered skirt.

I may raise the neckline in the future for my modesty choice but overall it's a great pattern!

Ellie & Mac Diana Tiered Dress

Happy Sewing

Bonnie

Pattern Emporium Take the Chance Shirt Dress

 I sewed another version of the Pattern Emporium Take the Chance Shirtdress.  I made this version midi length with three tiers. Two long and one short. I used the Pattern Emporium Meet You There sleeve shortened to bicep length.  This could have been a quick sew but it took me a week to complete.  

Pattern Emporium Take the Chance Shirtdress 

Back View

Meet You There Sleeve

Button up shirtdress bodice

I like making the skirt tiers without the button placket since finding 12 matching buttons can be a headache and I prefer not having any oops with the buttons.

The fabric I used was a 100% polyester shirting fabric I purchased from FabricMart Fabrics last year.  

So?  What's next on the machine?  Who knows?

Happy Sewing!

Bonnie

Pattern Emporium Take the Chance Shirt Dress

The Pattern Emporium Take the Chance Shirt is probably my most Loved dress pattern.  It usually takes me most of the day to sew it up but it's nice to have slow sewing once in a while.  I used a cotton gauze fabric from Fabric Mart Fabrics that has been in my stash for years.  I lined the bodice for a little more structure and modesty, and it helped finish off the armholes nicely too.

Pattern Emporium Meet You There Dress

Collar sewed up perfect!

Back View

Buttons

Two tiered skirt with button front bodice

I am thinking another version will be in the works soon!

Happy Sewing

Bonnie