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Paperbag Waist Allegro Skirt Hack // Sewing For Women

Friday, July 31, 2020


Paperbag Waist Allegro Skirt Hack // Sewing For Women

This post contains *disclosed* affiliate links. All opinions expressed are honest and my own. If you make a purchase using the links, I make a small commission which helps support this blog. So, thank you!!

Hello, friends!! Happy Friday, again!! I have a super fun little tutorial for you today on how to hack the Allegro Skirt pattern {aff link} by Love Notions into this super cute paper-bag waist mini skirt! **Scroll to the bottom for some amazing sale news!!**

Paperbag Waist Allegro Skirt Hack // Sewing For Women

For the skirt, I used a straight size 8 (my W:29.5, H:38), and only made a couple of small, very simple adjustments to get a very different look!

The first thing was to straighten out the side seam from the pocket down to the hem.

Paperbag Waist Allegro Skirt Hack // Sewing For Women

Next, you will want to do the same thing to the pocket so that it still lays nice and flat inside the skirt.

Paperbag Waist Allegro Skirt Hack // Sewing For Women

I shortened the skirt by cutting straight across at the lengthen/shorten line. Now, cut all of the pieces out, including the waistband; making no changes to the waistband. 

At this point, I assembled the skirt as usual. When I came to the waistband, I attached it as per usual, and then sewed a channel for 1 1/2" elastic, rather than 2" like the pattern calls for. This super simple change gave me the paper-bag waist look I was after!

Paperbag Waist Allegro Skirt Hack // Sewing For Women

After I had the waistband attached and the elastic inserted, I tried the skirt on. The hem still flared out a bit more than I wanted, so I curved in the side seam a bit to create more of a pencil skirt shape. The ruler below reflects the type of curve I sewed to get the end result. I'm in looove!!

Paperbag Waist Allegro Skirt Hack // Sewing For Women

After trying it on, I also determined the hem length I wanted and hemmed accordingly. This is highly individual and will be different for everyone. For mine, I did a fairly deep hem and hemmed another two inches from the length I had originally cut.

Paperbag Waist Allegro Skirt Hack // Sewing For Women

I used the tencel denim from Joann for this skirt. Tencel denim was the perfect choice!! It drapes beautifully and wears so nicely as well. I also used traditional jean top-stitching thread for a classic denim look. 

At the hem, I sewed two straight lines, 1/4" apart for a more casual look as well.

Paperbag Waist Allegro Skirt Hack // Sewing For Women

I was 100% inspired to make this skirt by a skirt I tried on about 2 years ago at Target! I'm so glad I didn't purchase it back then and finally made it myself! I did buy the tank top though. 😉

Paperbag Waist Allegro Skirt Hack // Sewing For Women

The Allegro Skirt was the PERFECT base to work from. I couldn't be happier with how it turned out!

Paperbag Waist Allegro Skirt Hack // Sewing For Women

Let me know if you try this hack or something similar, I'd love to see it! 

Paperbag Waist Allegro Skirt Hack // Sewing For Women

Paperbag Waist Allegro Skirt Hack // Sewing For Women

Paperbag Waist Allegro Skirt Hack // Sewing For Women

Happy Sewing!!

**In celebration of Love Notions moving into a new space, they are running a FLASH SALE where ALL patterns (excluding LBD) are FIFTY PERCENT off!! (No code needed) That is an amazing deal, y'all! And likely one that won't be repeated! So if you have had your eye on any patterns, now is the time to grab them! I've linked to the Allegro Pattern as well as the entire pattern catalog below. Happy Shopping!**

LINKS:
 

La Bella Donna Tunic // Sewing For Women

Friday, July 24, 2020


La Bella Donna Tunic // Love Notions Pattern // Sewing For Women

This post contains *disclosed* affiliate links. All opinions expressed are honest and my own. If you make a purchase using the links, I make a small commission which helps support this blog. So, thank you!!

Happy Friday!! We've made it to the end of another week... One more down in 2020, woot!!

So to celebrate, how about a Feature Friday pattern!? Over at Love Notions, the La Bella Donna pattern {aff link} for women (Oh, and the Girl's La Bella Donna {aff link}, too!) is on sale for just $5 for today only!

La Bella Donna Tunic // Love Notions Pattern // Sewing For Women

The women's pattern has been newly updated with the extended women's sizing block, and includes so many options, as shown below. In celebration of the re-release, the pattern will continue to be on sale for $9 after today, through Thursday, the 30th.


I helped test the new version of this pattern and made the tunic length. In truth, this is the first short sleeve tunic I have ever sewn, or worn. It's not a style I gravitate towards, but I'm so glad I tried it, because I completely love it!

La Bella Donna Tunic // Love Notions Pattern // Sewing For Women

I tend to stick to mostly shorts, tanks, and tees in the summer, maybe some flowy tops and a dress here or there; but tunics isn't something I've ever tried before. 

La Bella Donna Tunic // Love Notions Pattern // Sewing For Women

But the La Bella Donna in tunic length and short dolman sleeves is so perfect for pairing with some lightweight leggings!!

La Bella Donna Tunic // Love Notions Pattern // Sewing For Women

If you are looking for a quick, and I mean QUICK, and easy sew for this summer, this is the one for you! I sewed this up in about an hour, and for me, that is super fast. I even used the more time-consuming binding method on the neck and it was still so fast!

La Bella Donna Tunic // Love Notions Pattern // Sewing For Women

For sizing, I sewed a M on top, graded to a S in the hips. This is 100% the standard for me in Love Notions patterns, and the fit is spot on! I also shortened the tunic 1" for my height (also standard with LN for me), but if you preferred more length, more is easily added!

La Bella Donna Tunic // Love Notions Pattern // Sewing For Women

I made this up in a rayon spandex from my stash. I believe it is from Girl Charlee, waaaaaayyyy back in 2016. 👀 Their selection of tropical fabrics is fun to peruse from time to time! I've linked it HERE.

La Bella Donna Tunic // Love Notions Pattern // Sewing For Women

I really am enjoying my new tunic, and I can't wait to sew up some more of these quick to sew, and easy to wear, pieces for both summer and the rest of the year! Hoods, cowls, hem bands??? So many cute options!

La Bella Donna Tunic // Love Notions Pattern // Sewing For Women

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Sewing!

La Bella Donna Tunic // Love Notions Pattern // Sewing For Women

La Bella Donna Tunic // Love Notions Pattern // Sewing For Women

LINKS: 

  • Pattern: Love Notions -  La Bella Donna {affiliate link}
  • Fabric: Girl Charlee - sold out (similar linked HERE)
  • Outfit accessories - linked to similar in the box below

Vero Beach Set // Sewing For Women

Thursday, July 23, 2020

Vero Beach Set // Sewing Patterns // Sewing For Women

This post contains *disclosed* affiliate links. All opinions expressed are honest and my own. If you make a purchase using the links, I make a small commission which helps support this blog. So, thank you!!

Hello friends!

I had the privilege of testing another Hey June pattern, but this time it wasn't just one pattern, it's a pattern SET. YES!! You get two amazing patterns together as a set! Trust me, you're going to want both of these, so grab it now and start stitching!! You can go HERE {aff link} to purchase.

Vero Beach Set // Sewing Patterns // Sewing For Women

In the testing group, we like to discuss how Adrianna seems to have this uncanny knack for designing and releasing patterns just as we are yearning for the exact thing she's working on! One step ahead of us, she's a good cookie!!

Vero Beach Set // Sewing Patterns // Sewing For Women

Well, to be honest, this was the pattern set I didn't even know I NEEDED, yet! But as soon as I laid eyes on it, I knew I indeed, did NEED it!! Talk about uber comfy, and so perfect for casual wear. Or pjs. I won't judge! ;)

Vero Beach Set // Sewing Patterns // Sewing For Women

But in my opinion, there is something a bit more elevated in dressing yourself in wovens, casual or not, than pulling on knit shorts and tees. Though those certainly have a rightful place!!

Vero Beach Set // Sewing Patterns // Sewing For Women

Funny thing, as I was working on this set, my husband proposed a quick weekend getaway to the beach which is just a few hours away. UH YES PLEASE. No need to twist my arm! So my newly finished Vero Beach Set will indeed, be used AT the beach in just a short time!

Vero Beach Set // Sewing Patterns // Sewing For Women

I wore this set the whole day yesterday, and I can see myself wearing this non-stop during this weird summer being mostly confined to our home. But I'm even more excited to wear it thrown over top of my swimsuit and enjoy the warm beach breezes!

Vero Beach Set // Sewing Patterns // Sewing For Women

I'm sorry if you're not a beach person, but I'm imagining wearing the set the entire day over my swimsuit. It will take me from the salty beach air and back to town; a bit of sight-seeing, as well as lounging at the place we're staying. 

Vero Beach Set // Sewing Patterns // Sewing For Women

Hmm. I think I need to make another set for Day 2!! 😄 But talk about easy packing! It doesn't get better than that!

Vero Beach Set // Sewing Patterns // Sewing For Women

The Vero Beach top is a casual, loose fitting, long sleeve top, featuring a hood, a kangaroo pocket, and a split neckline with a placket detail.

I made a straight size 8 in the top with no modifications at all. My current measurements are; B:36.5,W:29.5,H:37.75, Height 5'3".

Vero Beach Set // Sewing Patterns // Sewing For Women

Sewing the Vero Beach top is quite simple; the placket, hood and pocket details add a little bit of time, but it's very doable, and straightforward. The instructions direct to finish off the seams with a serger for a quicker sew, but with 1/2" seam allowance included, you can easily use french seams for a clean finish, or if you'd like to use a very sheer fabric, like some of the testers did.

Vero Beach Set // Sewing Patterns // Sewing For Women

The fabric for my Vero Beach top was pulled from my stash, it is a Telio cotton/rayon voile and is so dreamy. It is still available on fabric.com, linked HERE. There are lots of other prints available as well, see HERE.

Vero Beach Set // Sewing Patterns // Sewing For Women

I was certain this print was called something super beachy appropriate like "Anemone", but alas, it is something super boring like "Retro Dot". LOL. No matter. I think they look like sea anemones and in my mind, makes the top even more perfect for beach wear!

Vero Beach Set // Sewing Patterns // Sewing For Women

The shorts are SUPER fun to sew! The entirety of the shorts aside from the waistband is finished with a bias binding, which is turned to the inside. I am in looooooove with the tulip hem!!

Vero Beach Set // Sewing Patterns // Sewing For Women

Alternately, you could wrap the seams/hem in double fold bias for an exposed look as well, that I think would be super cool. I also thought of using the same method included in the pattern but reversing it, so that the bias shows on the outside and a clean finish on the inside. So many possibilities!

Vero Beach Set // Sewing Patterns // Sewing For Women

The Vero Beach shorts are drafted from the same block as the Seaforth Pants (see mine HERE), so if you've sewn those, any alterations you may have needed to make can be applied to this pattern as well!

Vero Beach Set // Sewing Patterns // Sewing For Women

For my Seaforth Pants, I shortened the rise 1/2", but opted not to on these Vero Beach shorts. Mostly out of laziness, lol! 

Vero Beach Set // Sewing Patterns // Sewing For Women

But I feel the fit is super awesome on both patterns, no matter the rise height. Which is just an added bonus to sewing easy fit elastic waist pants/shorts.

Vero Beach Set // Sewing Patterns // Sewing For Women

I did apply the same size grading to these shorts as I did on the Seaforth Pants. I cut a size 8 waistband, graded to size 6 high-hip and down. I used 31.5" elastic lengths for each pair I've made, and I like the fit so much!

Vero Beach Set // Sewing Patterns // Sewing For Women

The fabric I used for the shorts was also pulled from my stash, and is the past very popular Ikat (?) print in rayon/linen blend that JoAnn carried a couple of years ago. I only had a yard of it and this pattern is the perfect stash buster for those smaller pieces you have lying around!

Vero Beach Set // Sewing Patterns // Sewing For Women

I don't know if I've convinced you that you need these two patterns in your life yet, but I'll just let the photos do the talking now. 😉

Vero Beach Set // Sewing Patterns // Sewing For Women

Vero Beach Set // Sewing Patterns // Sewing For Women

Vero Beach Set // Sewing Patterns // Sewing For Women

Vero Beach Set // Sewing Patterns // Sewing For Women

Vero Beach Set // Sewing Patterns // Sewing For Women

Vero Beach Set // Sewing Patterns // Sewing For Women

Happy Sewing!!!

LINKS:

  • Pattern - Vero Beach Set {aff link} Sizes sewn: Sz 8 top, no mods, sz 8 waist to 6 high-hip and down.
  • Fabric for top - fabric.com
  • Fabric for shorts - JoAnn (linked similar)
  • Hat, Sandals, Sunglasses - linked similar in box below
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