SLIDER

Trevi Top in Rayon // Imagine Gnats Contributor // Sewing For Women

Friday, August 25, 2017


Hi guys!! Today I am hanging out over at Imagine Gnats again. This time sharing my first Trevi Top experience. It's awesome and amazing. One of those perfect marriages of pattern and fabric. This print. The shape of this top. I'm swooning.


I adore button up backs!! And the high neck combined with the slight racerback style is so flattering.


So head over to Imagine Gnats and read the post HERE!


I paired it *of course* with my all time fave Chi-Town Chinos (post here).

Fringe Dress // Sewing For Women

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Fringe Dress // Sewing For Women

Hi everyone! I'm so excited to show you my Fringe Dress that I made as a tester for the Fringe Dress and Top Pattern. It was just released this week from Chalk and Notch. AND, it's on sale through Monday, August 28th! There are several options to buy; the Chalk and Notch shop, Chalk and Notch Etsy, and also through UpCraft Club.

If you are a newsletter subscriber, make sure to check your email this morning as there may be a surprise for you to use in the Chalk and Notch shop!

Fringe Dress // Sewing For Women

So let's dig into this pattern, shall we?! This dress is incredibly flattering on every body I have seen it on! It is a woven dress pattern and features 2 views. Both views include front and back darts, dress or blouse length, optional dress pockets, optional front or back waist ties, a shaped hem, gathered skirt and interchangeable cuffs.

I sewed View A, which features a button up front and elbow length sleeve cuffs with a sleeve tab. View B is a pullover style with a notched front and shorter sleeve cuffs.

Fringe Dress // Sewing For Women

I made no changes to the pattern at all, sewing a straight size 6. This is where the hem length hits me at my 5'3" height. Next time I would probably shorten the skirt 1-2 inches, so that the front hem hits right at or above my knees. But it would also be fun to lengthen by the same for a slightly longer look, or even lengthen to a maxi!! I've seen 2 maxi versions so far and they are amazing.

Fringe Dress // Sewing For Women

I added the optional waist ties, sewing them into the back darts. I like the little bit of extra shaping it gives the dress.

Fringe Dress // Sewing For Women

The details in this pattern are just stunning! I can't wait to sew a View B. I just can't decide if it should be a dress or blouse first!

Fringe Dress // Sewing For Women

If using a fabric such as rayon for this pattern, I do have a little tip for you. I chose to do the optional interfacing on both the bodice and the facing pieces. And even in doing so, I managed to stretch out my left side just a bit (you can tell ever so slightly above). I gave it my best effort at steaming it out, but it still gapes open slightly. It's made much worse when I sit down, so I'll need to sew in an invisible snap at the intersection of the bodice pieces. This is an easy fix, but just something to keep in mind while sewing your version!

Fringe Dress // Sewing For Women

The fabric I used is a Telio Rayon Voile, from fabric.com. Sadly no longer available, but here is a link to the description if you're interested.

Fringe Dress // Sewing For Women

This was my first time sewing with rayon voile, and I explained it to some of my friends as sewing with air. Funny because a few days later I read that Anna Maria Horner describes it as "challis moves like water and voile moves like air". This could not be more spot on. I was expecting this to be similar to rayon challis, which is what I'm used to sewing, and it is. Just lighter, and has much airier movements.

Fringe Dress // Sewing For Women

But even with it's lightweight properties and light color, this is really quite opaque. I was expecting more sheerness, but this really nice! I'll probably always wear a half slip under it, but you can't even tell that I'm wearing one.

So there you have it! I'm in love with my Fringe Dress. I plan to make at least 2 more versions of this pattern soon!

If you need more inspiration (and fabric buying motivation, there are COUPONS people!), there is an amazing post chock full of all that goodness on the Chalk and Notch blog today. I highly recommend you check it out HERE!

And don't forget to grab your copy by Monday, August 28th at the sale price!

𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽𑂽

Pattern: Fringe Dress
Fabric: Telio Rayon Voile


Charlie Caftan // Imagine Gnats Contributor Post

Monday, August 7, 2017

Charlie Caftan // Sewing For Women

It's a week all about the Charlie Caftan over at Imagine Gnats!
*FYI, you're going to want to check out the post today for a surprise for you all!

I am sharing about this ERmazing Charlie Caftan I made in a double gauze from her shop. The pattern/fabric combo could not be more dreamy!!

I made several changes to the pattern for this dress, so be sure to head over to check out all the details!

You can find the post here.

Charlie Caftan // Sewing For Women

Charlie Caftan // Sewing For Women

My Sewing Space // Homespun Magazine Feature

Thursday, August 3, 2017

 Hello, all!!

Today a little thing happened. My sewing space was featured in this month's Australian magazine publication 'Homespun'. This magazine can be found in print in Australia only, from what I understand, but can be found online in various locations such as Amazon, Zinio, & Barnes & Noble. There are options to subscribe for the whole year or purchase only the current issue through the online resources as well.

I am so honored and blown away to have been asked to be featured in this issue! I was given permission to publish the article here. It's a little surreal to see my space showcased in magazine format!

My Sewing Space // Homespun Magazine Feature

BY JANAI VELEZ

"A stylish, functional and kid-friendly sewing area in 10 square metres may sound like a bit of a squeeze. But with vertical storage, mood lighting and plenty of toys, Heidi Polcyn has achieved the trifecta.

   Heidi describes her sewing space as the "centre of the action". It's the intersection of five doorways and it doubles as a play area for her three children, which means "navigating the war-zone of toy landmines" every time she leaves her chair. But Heidi admits that she loves having her kids close by. "It allows them to play and be with me, and we can interact while I sew. It can be distracting at times, but this is truly the only way I can get any sewing done. Of course, the most productive times happen when baby is snoozing in his room!" she says. But once awake, there are plenty of play areas nearby. "off to the left of the space, there is a corner by the stairs that houses the play kitchen and baby book nook, so baby can 'read' while I'm pottering around my space. The dining room is also off to the left, and the table serves as my cutting table when needed. The big kids have all of their craft supplies and Lego in that room, as well. They love to work on some little project while I'm working creatively."

   Although Heidi was never really keen to sew as a teenager, she took to stitching with gusto after she married and wanted to furnish her home with bespoke pieces. "My mum used to sew frequently when I was very young and occasionally during -----

My Sewing Space // Homespun Magazine Feature

--my adolescent years. I remember watching her, but was never very interested in trying it for myself. It wasn't until I started sewing more frequently in my early 20s that I realised just how much I'd picked up simply by watching my mum." Heidi hopes the same osmosis process happens with her own children. 

   Since then, Heidi has extended her repertoire from home decor to clothes for herself and her children. "There is something so satisfying about making a garment from nothing but a pile of fabric and having it fit well and that you can wear out in public proudly."

   From wardrobe to home decorating, Heidi strives for a cohesive style. She especially loves lots of bright white spaces with pops of colour - as seen in her thrifted sewing chair, which she reupholstered from a solid cream fabric (that had seen better days) to a distinctive floral print. "I may have squealed a little after I put it back together and saw that it turned out just as I had imagined and hoped," she says. This has become the focal point of the room, doing the decorative heavy lifting to support simpler Ikea installations around it.

   The finishing touches - lights, photos, greenery - transform the space into something special. However, Heidi emphasises the importance of having a functional, as well as pretty, space. "My favourite furnishings are probably my desk top, with the Ikea Alex drawer units. Everything I need is there at my fingertips."

   Working in such a tight space does mean that Heidi has to be practical when I comes to storage. "If I don't have a place for something, then it (or something else), has to go." But that's sometimes easier said than done, as fabric-hoarder Heidi admits, saying she has a hard time letting go of material.

   Heidi has waited to have this special sewing spot, and says the interim didn't dampen her enthusiasm. "My sewing space has travelled literally around the whole house. It started out as a tiny, ugly little desk that was just barely big enough for my vintage sewing machine. If you love your craft. it doesn't matter where you do it. Just make time for it, and someday you may be able to find a dedicated spot in your home for it. But don't let it be a roadblock to doing what you love to do!"

A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS

PEG BOARD SPICE RACKS - These little racks have so many uses, and in my sewing space they are perfect for holding overlocker spools

MY BERNINA 305PE - It was a splurge purchase, but one I don't regret one penny of! It handles anything I've thrown at it and sews it well.

THE LIGHTS AROUND THE PEG BOARD - They add such a whimsical and homey feel to the space, plus some much needed light. For just a few dollars, they add a lot of punch!

MY CHAIR - It was thrifted, but looked new when I bought it. Originally, it had cream coloured upholstery. Needless to say, after a few years of regular use, it needed to be recovered. I decided to go from plain to a big pop of colour and now it's one of my favourite pieces in the space.

GIANT PEGBOARD - It is the statement of the space. I can easily store things that are used frequently out in the open, but still in an attractive way. And it's easy to switch things up if I feel the need for a change.

ROW OF WALL HOOKS - I like to hang frequently used patterns and in-progress or finished garments. It's handy to have the patterns out and ready to go, and fun to admire a pretty garment for a while.

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If you are interested in finding the current month's issue, look for this gorgeous crochet cover!

My Sewing Space // Homespun Magazine Feature

I hope you enjoyed reading more about my sewing space! If you have any questions for me, don't hesitate to email me directly, or leave a comment below and I will reply. I'd love to hear from you!
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