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Button Back Willamette Shirt // Sewing For Women

Thursday, February 28, 2019

Button Back Willamette Shirt // Sewing For Women

Hello my friends!

One of my favorite personal sewing challenges is to recreate an image I find, often on Pinterest, or even a RTW (Ready To Wear) clothing ad. I love the thrill of hunting down the perfect fabric, figuring out the pattern and finally styling it just right.

Sometimes, serendipitously, the right fabric almost falls in my lap from the sky, and I'm catapulted into action. This was the case with today's Willamette Shirt.

Button Back Willamette Shirt // Sewing For Women

I was innocently meandering (as one does) through the aisles of my local Joann Store, and this fabric literally made me stop in my tracks, gasp out loud, and as soon as my fingers grazed the fabric, I snatched up the bolt and placed it in my cart. My heart pounded and I barely glazed over the rest of the fabric before I bolted for the cutting counter. As if the fabric in my hands might disappear or something... You think I'm being dramatic...

This fabric is 100% linen, and really nice. It was easy to sew with, is super comfortable to wear. I'm looking forward to wearing it this summer when the weather is unbearably hot, but I'll still be cool and comfy!

I knew immediately that I would make a Willamette Shirt with it, and then feeling extra brave (apparently), only bought 1 1/2 yards of it, even though it was only 53" wide. It was a little on the pricey side and I figured I could surely make it work.

Button Back Willamette Shirt // Sewing For Women

I did make it work, but there was a lot of pattern tetris that had to happen, especially since I was matching up stripes and did a tiny little hack on the back pattern piece that took up ever so slightly more fabric than cutting on the fold would have. And since I'm sure you're curious, I was able to cut a size 6 from that amount of fabric with just the teeniest of scraps left over.

Button Back Willamette Shirt // Sewing For Women

From the front, this shirt appears to just be a straight Willamette as per the pattern, but in the back; surprise! It has a button placket!

Button Back Willamette Shirt // Sewing For Women

This was inpsired by this pin that I hunted down and tracked it to the source, which was, obviously, a shirt Madewell sold.


The inspiration shirt had a pleat in the front, but I decided to just keep things simple with the overlapping front placket as per the pattern. I did however, really like the button placket down the back and it was as simple as cutting the back in two pieces, rather than on the fold. I didn't add any extra seam allowance, simply cut along the fold edge on the pattern.



To do this, I just replaced the pleat on the Willamette with a placket! I cut a one inch strip of interfacing, and fused it to the wrong side of the center back, lining it up with the pleat notch. To create the placket, I folded in the raw edge by 1/4", and then 5/8" to cover the interfacing. Next, I edge stitched along the folded edge and that was my placket! From there you simply overlap the plackets and proceed on with the pattern instructions.

Button Back Willamette Shirt // Sewing For Women

Button Back Willamette Shirt // Sewing For Women

Such a simple hack, but such a fun detail!

Button Back Willamette Shirt // Sewing For Women

And of course, here is my recreation of the original pin that inspired me. I'm pretty happy with how it all turned out! :)

Button Back Willamette Shirt // Sewing For Women

So there you have it! My latest and favoritest (only because it's the last one I made ;)) Willamette Shirt! I have plans to make at least 3 more this spring, so don't be surprised if you see more popping up around here. It's such a great pattern base for hacking into the comfiest, and super stylish, shirts!

If you haven't tried this pattern yet, I highly recommend you do! It's definitely a staple for me.

Button Back Willamette Shirt // Sewing For Women

Button Back Willamette Shirt // Sewing For Women

Button Back Willamette Shirt // Sewing For Women

Button Back Willamette Shirt // Sewing For Women

Button Back Willamette Shirt // Sewing For Women

Outfit Details:

Top:
Pants:
  • Ash Jeans - Pattern by Megan Nielsen - unblogged (sorry!)
  • Fabric - Tencel Stretch Denim from Joann Stores, not availabe online
Shoes: 
  • Target - no longer available

Book Review: More Sewing To Sell

Thursday, February 21, 2019


Hey friends! I'm so happy to be here and sharing a project from my friend Virginia's new sewing book; More Sewing To Sell, a follow-up to her original book Sewing To Sell, which I also reviewed HERE.


This book includes 16 copyright free sewing patterns that you are free to make and sell. The projects are simple and useful, but also seriously cute and there are many ways you can dream up to customize them to your liking!

Now while the title of the book may lead you to think you must be a craft shop owner to appreciate it, I can tell you that from a non-seller, I love each of the projects in this book and find them to be useful and relevant to my lifestyle!


That being said, there are loads of tips and interviews in the book from craft entrepreneurs that are very helpful should you want to start or improve your hand made shop! And I will never say never, maybe someday there will be some sewing to sell in my life again.

Below are a few more sample pages from the book, the projects are so beautiful!




After browsing the book, I had a really hard time making up my mind on what project to tackle first! I finally settled on The Big Trendy Tote, and not after changing my mind a few times! I always find myself in need of another tote and handmade versions are my very favorite. I'm glad this is the one I chose to make first!


Like the book encourages, I changed things up a little bit to make it exactly what I wanted!


First of all, I used heavier fabrics than what is suggested in the book, because I wanted an active, hardworking bag for summer activities. I also added some inside pockets and a clip for hanging my keys, etc., from so they don't get lost in the depths of the bag. Because, y'all, this bag is ROOMY!


My plan is to use this bag for outings with my kiddos that most likely require beach towels and water bottles. This bag can easily carry 2 full sized beach towels plus the accessories needed to go along with that! Now, I do have 3 kids, and I could fit 3 towels, just fewer other items, but the pockets would allow me to pack a few snacks and bottle of sunscreen.


In reality, I hope to be mostly using this bag for myself in my backyard this summer! I'd love to have it stocked with my favorite book, magazine, sunglasses, a knitting project, and my water bottle for lifeguard duty. :)


With the size of this bag, the uses are endless. I can see myself making it in lighter fabrics and using it as a shopping tote!

I had so much fun mixing and matching fabrics for this project, the end product just makes me so happy because it reminds me of sunshine and warm days. Which I miss so much this time of the year!!

In celebration of the book release, Virginia is giving away a copy of the book to five lucky readers! Just enter in the rafflecopter below, and be sure to check out the other ladies on the tour for more chances to enter! The giveaway is open internationally, US winners will receive a physical copy of the book, and international winners will receive an ebook. Good luck!!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cone Mills Chambray Emerson Crop Pants & Shorts // Imagine Gnats Contributor

Wednesday, February 13, 2019


Hi friends! I'm over at Imagine Gnats today with not one, but TWO versions of the Emerson Crop Pants and Shorts! I am absolutely in love with both of these.

Of all the versions I've made, and there have been a lot, this is the first time I used real chambray and they are perfection!!

Head on over to the Imagine Gnats blog and read the post with all the details and changes I made HERE.





Ochre Waffle Knit Taos Top // Sewing For Women

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Ochre Waffle Knit Taos Top // Sewing For Women

Happy Day, my friends!!

I am bursting with excitement over my latest Taos Top! As you remember, this is a newly released pattern by debut pattern designer Leslie of Threadbear Garments. A couple of week ago, I posted about my tester versions of this pattern, see them HERE if you'd like!

My tester versions were both sewn in the exact same fabric (modal/poly jersey) and the same view. Time ran short and I didn't have a chance to sew my dream version of this top until last week, and oh boy...

Ochre Waffle Knit Taos Top // Sewing For Women

My dream version turned out like, well, a dream!!!

I used the most amazing, warm, cozy, comfy, and deliciously textured waffle knit from D&H Fabrics Co. Tammy has some of the most amazing fabrics available in her shop! One of my favorites, hands down. This Ochre color is currently sold out, but there is an amazing Cream option still available! And hopefully the Ochre will restock. ;)

Ochre Waffle Knit Taos Top // Sewing For Women

As for the Taos Top pattern, I was so excited to try View B this time around. That cowl neck had me swooning! Not to mention the glorious split hem and side vent.

Ochre Waffle Knit Taos Top // Sewing For Women

I sewed this top in the exact same size (sz 8) and with same slight mod (shortened 3/4") as my tester versions. Even though this waffle knit had quite a bit less stretch than the other versions I made, the fit turned out absolutely perfect.

*My measurements are: B:36, W:28.5, H:37, 5'3" tall*

Ochre Waffle Knit Taos Top // Sewing For Women

I also made no modifications to the length of the arm bands and the finish there is superb.

Basically, I just made the top of my dreams, even though I didn't know it was! :) I have been a life-long mustard/ochre/yellow color avoider. I always thought that it made me look like death, lol. Either things have changed, or maybe it was all in my head! I do still avoid bright yellow, that's just a nope...

Ochre Waffle Knit Taos Top // Sewing For Women

But this sophisticated and stunning ochre/gold color has my heart. I will be on the hunt from now on for ways to incorporate this into my closet!

Ochre Waffle Knit Taos Top // Sewing For Women

As for the Taos Top pattern, well, I already have another sweater version of View B cut out and just begging to be sewn! My collection is growing, and not all that slowly. :)

Ochre Waffle Knit Taos Top // Sewing For Women

Ochre Waffle Knit Taos Top // Sewing For Women

Ochre Waffle Knit Taos Top // Sewing For Women

Ochre Waffle Knit Taos Top // Sewing For Women

Ochre Waffle Knit Taos Top // Sewing For Women

Outfit Details:

Top - Taos Top
       - Fabric: D&H Fabrics Co.
Jeans - Old Navy
Mules - Old Navy

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