I've been a True Bias fan girl since way back when I discovered the Southport Dress. The Southport Dress was one of the very first patterns I sewed for myself, 6 years ago! I've loved so many of Kelli's patterns since the beginning and every time I get news that a new True Bias pattern is releasing, I get so excited!
The Mave Skirt is another absolute winner that is sure to be an absolute staple in my wardrobe! The pattern includes so many options! Included are 3 lengths, with a total combination of 8 skirt options ranging from no tiers to 3 tiers. The pattern is available in two size ranges as well and covers a span of size 0-30.
My favorite feature of the pattern is the genius cut chart which shows all of the views and a detailed checklist of which pattern pieces to cut for each specific skirt option.
The skirt is a very simple construction, but is elevated by the details! Included are optional side seam pockets, a wide 2-inch elastic waistband, and an optional drawstring in the waistband. You can also choose to sew a lining with the included instructions.
The pattern included markings for exact stitching on the waistband. The stitching on the waistband is another favorite feature of mine! I absolutely love, love, love it! That statement really is true for the whole skirt, lol. I love how it all comes together.
For my skirt, I chose a rayon challis that has been hanging out in my stash for quite a few years. It was a Joann find that caught my eye on the bolt and I had to have it! I've always really loved it but was never quite sure what to make with it. I'm so happy that this skirt brought it to life, I think it is a really great match!
I definitely need a few solids in my wardrobe as well. Kelli's samples really have me swooning!!
The pattern is on sale for release until April 23rd, use code MAVESKIRT for the discount! 🎉
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!
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!
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.
But the La Bella Donna in tunic length and short dolman sleeves is so perfect for pairing with some lightweight leggings!!
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!
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!!
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! ;)
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!!
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!
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!
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.
Hmm. I think I need to make another set for Day 2!! 😄 But talk about easy packing! It doesn't get better than that!
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".
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.
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.
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!
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!!
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!
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!
For my Seaforth Pants, I shortened the rise 1/2", but opted not to on these Vero Beach shorts. Mostly out of laziness, lol!
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.
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!
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!
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. 😉
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.
I'm so happy to be kicking off the week with this adorable tank!! This is the newest pattern release from Chalk + Notch, and I am absolutely in love!
The Marcel Dress + Tank Top is the perfect, breezy, swishy, tank and dress I didn't know I needed in my life! I was a tester for this pattern, and made up the tank view.
One of my favorite details about the pattern is the front and side panels that allow you to play with pattern direction and even some AMAZING print mixing like some of the testers did! (See the tester round-up HERE) The dress views allow for even more fun with the panels as the dress tiers on the way down. Seriously, the swish is DREAMY.
I plan to sew a dress view for myself before the summer is over, because a tiered sundress is without a doubt a must have!
The strap placement is perfection straight off the pattern, I did not have to shift or move them at all. Obviously, this is a very personal adjustment to each individual body, but for the most part, it is very close to spot on! And can we just talk about the back view!? Swoon.
I don't typically reach for this type of silhouette, but for the life of me, don't know why!? I seriously want to fill my closet with this pattern! The tank is so easy to pair with both shorts and pants, and is impossibly cool and comfortable.
I threw it on one day last week with cut-off shorts when temps soared into the high 90's, with real feels of over 100, and it was absolutely the perfect outfit choice!
There is a Mini Marcel pattern, as well!! There will be mommy-and-me versions happening in this house, very soon!
I made a size 10 bodice, and cut the center panels a size 8. My upper bust measures a size 10, with the rest a size 8, or between the two. I'm absolutely thrilled with the fit! (Measurements: UB:35.5, B:36.5, W:29.5, H:38)
My fabric is rayon from Hart's Fabric. (Linked HERE) The textured stripe is everything I love in a drapey fabric, and made the perfect Marcel Tank Top!
Since it is so drapey, and a fairly loose weave, I chose to interface both the main and lining pattern pieces with tricot interfacing, as well as the straps. The pattern instructions suggest to do so with a very drapey fabric, and I think it is the perfect choice. The bodice has structure, but doesn't feel stiff or uncomfortable to wear at all.
The sewing went very well, the pattern instructions are wonderful, and no really tricky bits! My least favorite part of the sewing is the gathering, haha. But the end result makes it more than worth it!
Thanks so much for stopping by! If you would like to grab your own copy (you do!), I've linked it again below and both Marcel and Mini Marcel are on sale, now through next Monday July 13th!
