blazer / Handmade Frenzy

Evans Blazer Style Session // Fashion For Women

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

This post may contain affiliate links. All reviews and opinions are my own.

Happy Tuesday, friends!!

I am so excited to be here with a slightly different kind of post today! Over on Instagram, my good friend Teri and I are teaming up to bring you each a style session showcasing our newly finished Evans Blazers.

You can check out our videos on IGTV by clicking HERE! We each styled the blazer 6 different ways, so you have a huge selection of styles to glean ideas from!

I decided to write this post to provide you with sources for everything from all 6 of my looks! Happy reading and clicking!

LOOK #1:

Evans Blazer {HJ Aff Link} // Kind Tank // Crossbody Bag (Similar Black) (Gray) // Liana Stretch Jeans - Fabric: Cone Mills S-Gene (Same) // Heels (similar) (similar)

It sure is hard to pick, but I think Look #1 might be my favorite! I love the pairing of a graphic tee with heels. Maybe not super practical for my mom-life, but for girls' night or date night, I'm all in!! :)

LOOK #2:

Nikko Top // Scarf (similar) // Bag (similar) // Ash Jeans - Fabric: Stretch Modal Denim from Joann (no longer available) // Booties

LOOK #3:

Portia Woven Top (Blogged HERE) // Round Woven Bag (similar) // Cali Demi Boot Jeans (Mine are sold out - linked to current styles) // Sock Booties (similar) (similar)

Again with the favorites! But Look #3 is in the Top 3, for me. I love simple, and this outfit has all those simple pieces that are elevated by little details. My fave.

LOOK #4:

Union St Tee (hacked - blog coming soon!) // High Rise Skinny Jeans (similar) (similar) // Crossbody Bag (Similar Black) (Gray) // Suede Block Heels (similar)

Well, here's the third favorite in my personal Top 3. What can I say? Animal print has my heart right now! And in a bold black & white it is just perfect paired with the navy blazer.

LOOK #5:

Lightweight Ribbed Sweater Tee (sold out) // High Rise Skinny Jeans (similar) (similar) // Pink Crossbody Bag (similar) (similar) // Leopard Print Loafers

LOOK #6:

Trevi Top (Mash-up; blogged HERE) // Scarf (similar) // Crossbody Bag (Similar Black) (Gray) // High Rise Slim Boy Jean (Mine are sold out - linked to current in stock styles) // Woven Mules - Black sold out (similar) (similar)

There you have it! Thanks so much for taking the time to read and for shopping my links. I appreciate you so much!!

Friday, September 20, 2019

This post may contain affiliate links. All reviews and opinions are my own.

Evans Blazer Pattern Review // Sewing For Women

I had the exciting privilege to test the newest pattern from Hey June Handmade! Please welcome the Evans Blazer!

So many of Adrianna's patterns are staples in my wardrobe, and this classic blazer pattern for knit fabrics is joining those ranks as well!

The Evans Blazer pattern includes two views, View A as you can see here, is a very classic blazer style with darts, welt pockets, and a front button closure. This view is intended for sturdy and structured knits, such as ponte, sweatshirt fleece, and double knits.

View B is more of a cardigan style blazer, with a cascading front lapel, no button closure, and is intended for much more drapey knits.

The sewing went really well during this make. Adrianna's instructions are clear and easy to follow, as always. She guides you through each step and you just need to follow along with confidence to produce a lovely end product!

The only time I needed to pull out my trusty seam ripper was during the under-stitching of the collar facing. I just got myself turned around, since you have to switch sides at the break point where the collar folds back onto itself. Totally my fault, and not the instructions!

For sizing, I graded between 3 sizes. My upper bust put me in a size 10, my bust and waist in size 8, and my hips a size 6. Hello, inverted triangle. 😏

I decided to grade between all of these sizes for the best possible fit. I made the size 10 in the shoulders and sleeves, since I was most concerned about it being too snug in those areas. In the end, I could have definitely gone with a straight size 8 down to the hips as the shoulders are a bit wide and the sleeves have plenty of room. Overall, though, I am super super happy with the fit! I can't believe how tailored a knit blazer can look!

I did the tiniest sway back adjustment using the center back seam. A center back seam is so nice for this reason!

This fabric is Mini Diamond Quilted Jacquard Knit that I purchased from Raspberry Creek Fabrics. I don't know the exact contents, but I'm pretty sure it's 100% polyester, which makes this a very warm blazer that will be perfect for this winter!

The fabric was quite easy to sew and pressed surprisingly well. I was a little worried about how the welt pockets would turn out with such a lofty knit, but they turned out absolutely perfect! I did edge-stitch the top of the pocket to keep it from falling down onto itself, but otherwise it was not a problem at all.

I also was undecided about adding a button since I will probably wear it open most of time. However, in the end I decided to add it, and chose a very fun herringbone patterned, faux wood button.

I did manage to sew the buttonhole to the wrong side of the jacket, but I'm hoping no one will notice! 😂😆

Sweater blazers are a hot item in fashion right now, and I love that I have the option to make my own with this pattern! I would love to make a menswear inspired blazer next!

Between this and the Fulton Sweater Blazer pattern, all of my fashion dreams are coming true! 😄

Have you sewn a sweater blazer yet? I definitely recommend! It's not as tricky as you might think.

Monday, October 29, 2018

Fulton Sweater Blazer // Sewing For Women

Happy Monday, friends!

I love starting out the week with a blog post containing a fabulous new pattern! I had the privilege to test the Fulton Sweater Blazer, releasing today, by Alina Design Co.

Alina's patterns are the perfect classic wardrobe staples, and this one is, of course, no different! A sweater blazer is a must-have at the moment, and this one has a beautiful collar detail to set it apart.

It comes in two lengths, the shorter View A, which I've sewn here; and a knee length View B. It also comes with 2 sleeve lengths, 3/4 and long. The collar and front opening is finished with a facing, as well as the sleeves.

The roomy patch pockets in the front are of course a fave! It can hold your phone, keys, a sippy cup... All the things, lol. And plus, I just like having a place to put my hands when I'm wearing a cozy layer. 💚

The pattern is intended for sturdy, structured knits with no vertical stretch. I used a mid weight french terry from Joann's, and while it has no vertical stretch, it is a little less structured than intended. However, it works very well, and is a super comfy layering piece!

It's a little more casual than if I had used a more structured knit, but it still gives a polished look to an outfit that feels like I'm wearing a comfy sweatshirt! I love it paired with my white Union St Tee, and with a little tuck into some high-waisted jeans, I definitely feel put together, yet perfectly comfy for all the things I need to tackle in a day.

The collar was the only bit that was slightly tricky, but Alina has included all the tips, tricks, illustrations and instructions you need to be absolutely successful! There is also a sew-along coming to her blog that will be super helpful!

Otherwise, the sewing is as straightforward as sewing a t-shirt. Since my fabric was on the lighter side, I used my serger for construction and it was a quick sew!

The fit you see here is the final fit of the pattern, some ease in the hips was removed during testing, and my version reflects that. I also did a 1/2" swayback adjustment, which is individual to my body, but because of the center back seam, it was super easy!

I sewed a straight size 6, which my bust and hips fell into, and I LOVE it! I plan to make more, and wouldn't make any fit adjustments at the cutting stage.

I'm so excited to have this piece in my closet, it will be a fall, winter and spring staple for sure!

LINKS:

Scarf: Made by Me; Fringe Scarf Tutorial by Indiesew

Tee: Union St Tee

Blazer: Fulton Sweater Blazer by Alina Design Co

Jeans: Old Navy

Shoes: Target

SLIDER

Evans Blazer Style Session // Fashion For Women

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

This post may contain affiliate links. All reviews and opinions are my own.

Evans Blazer // Sewing For Women

Friday, September 20, 2019

This post may contain affiliate links. All reviews and opinions are my own.

Links:

Fulton Sweater Blazer // Sewing For Women

Monday, October 29, 2018