tunic / Handmade Frenzy

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!

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!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Sewing!

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

Friday, August 23, 2019

Trevi/Taos #sewcialmashup // Summer to Fall Style // Sewing For Women // Style Session

Hello friends!!

I am so happy to be sharing my #sewcialmashup make with you today!!

The full tutorial for mashing the Trevi Top & Taos Top patterns together is over on Imagine Gnats today, so hop over there to READ ALL ABOUT IT!

**Sources and Links are included at the bottom of the post**

I wanted to share a bit more over here about why I love this top so much, and just a few simple ways to style a base outfit by switching out accessories and layering so that this one piece can be taken from #seasontoseason.

Season-to-season is a fun hashtag that my new IG friend, @BudgetandBrunch started using recently. She also happens to live in NC, and I love following her for outfit inspiration that relates a lot to the way I dress for the seasons here! The idea behind that hashtag is that you don't always need to SHOP or MAKE for each and every season. Instead, lets make/shop and build our closets with pieces that can be transitioned throughout the year. LOVE IT!

This Trevi/Taos Top is also #sewrtwstyle inspired... I mean... How many hashtags can I cover with one make? Lol. Not that I was trying, but it sure checks a lot of boxes!!

Now if I'm being honest; just seeing these images online would not have sparked any ideas or inspiration, but I saw it in person in store and just KNEW I had to make my own version using two of my favorite TNT patterns! Psst; I like my version better. 😉

I also chose to make it in a beautiful creamy white, because I'm still building up my workhorse staple pieces in my wardrobe. I will always be doing this. Having a closet full of well-made, quality basics that work well together is a constant process. And that's just one reason why I love this craft so much!

Moving on to how I styled the top in this post. I kept the base outfit super simple. A pair of wide leg crop pants in a season-less color, and of course, the Trevi/Taos Top which also works as a season-less staple!

During these super hot, dog days, of summer, I keep things really simple with minimal accessories, like this woven circle bag and a pair of woven mules to pull the outfit together.

Transitioning into a little more fall appropriate look, I swapped out the circle bag for my Kelly Waist Bag (blogged HERE), a pair of heeled faux-suede mules, and added a hat for warmth and more depth to the outfit.

This outfit is absolutely perfect for fall days in NC. In the mornings it's cool and crisp, but in the afternoon we heat up into the 80s, so LOOKING like fall, but keeping the outfit cool enough so I'm not completely melting is key. 😉

For those cool mornings, it super easy to throw on another layering piece to keep things cozy! And of course, easy to remove when it get warm again later in the day.

Chunky cardigans are my absolute favorite thing in cooler weather! I love layering them over tanks and shirts, and even layering under jackets for optimum warmth.

It's just as easy to throw on a denim jacket with this outfit as it is a cozy cardigan. I put on my Hampton Jean Jacket with this ensemble and was struck with just how "worth it" it is to put time and effort into making somewhat "boring" pieces!

It feels insanely good to wear the three pieces on top proudly, knowing that I worked on them with my own two hands and that they'll be with me for years to come!

I hope you enjoyed another styling session with me today!! Leave some feedback in the comments if you have a moment, I'd love to hear your thoughts! ~xoxo

Some of the links below are affiliate links (Amazon), by shopping through these links you are supporting this blog and me and making it possible for me to continue providing content for you! Thank you! xoxo

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Hi everyone! I'm so thrilled to be a part of this pattern tour today!! Olga (Coffee & Thread) is one of the very first blogging friends I made in this amazing online community. She is super sweet, knowledgeable and creates amazing patterns!! I have sewn a few of them over the years. A couple of Mulberry Tunics here and here (which are now tucked away, impatiently waiting for boy #2 to wear them!) and last year's Eleena Dress, which she wore to church yesterday, and it still fits fine (yay!) except that it's turning into more of a tunic than dress length, yikes!

Image may contain: one or more people, child and outdoor

For the tour, I chose to make the Ania Tunic. I was smitten with this pattern from the moment I saw the first sample. There are many variations with this pattern (there is even a dress length version on the tour!!), with sleeve and pocket options, or you can choose to make it in a woven or knit! I love versatile patterns so much.

However for this version I decided to keep things simple. I used this amazing cut of linen/cotton blend from Miss Matatabi that I have been hoarding for a while and wanted to let the fabric shine.

*The fabric is sold out, but you can view the listing here for all the details on it*

I sewed short sleeves since those get the most mileage around here and went plain with no pockets. I made a size 4 with 5 length. As always, sizing is spot on with Olga's patterns.

I love the details in the back as well. I just so happened to have the perfectly matching button and Kona Cotton Solids laying around. The inside bodice is lined in the same fabric that you see a teeny bit of here at the bottom of the neck line split. I don't think I sewed the bias onto that little v part the way it was written in the pattern. Oops. But it turned out very well and I love the little additional pop of purple there.

She is pleased as punch with this dress because purple is here favorite color "except GOLDEN is my VERY favorite color, Mom", so if you use your imagination, she has a little bit of both in this top. :)

It's been a little while since we did a photoshoot with her outside, and apparently she has developed some top-notch new modeling skills since then! :)

I love how this top looks with shorts and I know it will be just as great in the fall with a pair of jeans and cardi!

Make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom for an amazing giveaway!

Enter the giveaway here - and also you can take 20% off ANY patterns in the Coffee & Thread shop! Just use the code 'coffeeandthreadtour'

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to follow the tour, using the links availabe here! There is so much amazing inspiration and sewing going on, wow!

April 3
Enjoyful Makes || Idle Sunshine || ZowieZo Handmade || Angie Burgett

April 4
Handmade Frenzy || Replicate Then Deviate || Fairies, Bubbles & Co || Coral + Co

April 5
Made By Sara || Naeh-Connection || The Bag of Unexpected || Circle Meets Line

April 6
Skirt Fixation || Sewing Like Mad || Hello Holli || Buzzmills ||

April 7
Little Cumquat || Thread Bear Garments || Pearl Berry Lane || Plus 2 is 5 || Sew Chibi

April 10
Stahlarbeit || Knee Socks and Goldilocks || Bonnie and Lottie || Sew Sophielynn

April 11
Mouse House Creations || While She is Sleeping || Mix it Make it || By Dagbjort

April 12
Gaafmachine || Beletoile || LBG Studio || My Cozy Co || As It Seams

April 13
Moineau & Petit Pois || Just Add Fabric || Sweeter Than Cupcakes || Frances Suzanne || Sew Liberated

April 14
Stitched Together || S is for Sewing || Boevenbende || Lafolie Sewing Booth || Sew Pony ||
With Love By Eva

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Women's Waterfall Raglan // NEW Pattern Release // Sewing For Women

If you saw my post last week about the original Waterfall Raglan pattern for girls, it should come as no surprise that the women's version of this pattern is just as fabulous!! And it is now available for purchase! You can find it at UpCraft Club, or in the Chalk and Notch shop.

The women's pattern comes with the same options as the girl's version. It includes 3 sleeve lengths, an optional chest pocket, and a top or dress option.

The pattern is designed to cover the front rise, and dips slightly lower in the back to cover the bum as well.

It is semi-fitted through the bust and fitted in the sleeves.

The construction is straightforward, and as always, Gabriela's instructions and illustrations in the pattern are top-notch. She suggested putting elastic into the sleeve seams and I opted to do just that, because the fabric I chose is super stretchy, and in past experience I have found rayon-spandex to stretch out if kept on a hanger. This was the only tricky bit to the whole thing, but with just a little practice, that will be no problem. (As in, don't stretch the elastic as you're sewing it in! I didn't realize I was doing this until I finished. Oops.)

I really wasn't quite sure how I was going to like this design on my frame, but turns out, I love it! In fact, every one I have seen is very flattering to the wearer. To be honest, I have never found a truly flowy top that I found flattering on me, but something about this top is different. I think the weight of the ruffle pulling the top portion down helps to keep it from seeming so overwhelming. Plus, I need more tops to wear with skinnier jeans. I can't wait to sew up my next version with just a few tweaks!

The fabric, as I've mentioned is a very drapey and stretchy rayon-spandex, and because of this I took 1.5" out of the length to get the intended fit. I'm 5'3" for reference. In a less stretchy fabric I would probably leave the pattern as is.

This lovely fabric is Rayon Spandex Luxe Teal from LA Finch Fabrics. It's some of the yummiest rayon-spandex I have used! It's sooooo soft! And it sews like butter. Despite being super stretchy, it has amazing recovery! It does not get stretched out when sewing, and the neckband is perfection, no stretching there either.

Summary:

Top Pattern: Women's Waterfall Raglan

Size sewn: 6
Did you sew the size recommended in the pattern based on your measurements? Yes
Changes made? Shortened length 1.5" - my height is 5'3"
Options: Long Sleeve, Top version,

Fabric: Rayon Spandex Luxe Teal (from LA Finch Fabrics)

Necklace: DIYed with supplies from Hobby Lobby

Jeans: Target

Booties: Target

SLIDER

La Bella Donna Tunic // Sewing For Women

Friday, July 24, 2020

Trevi/Taos #sewcialmashup // Summer to Fall Style

Friday, August 23, 2019

Links:

Coffee & Thread Pattern Tour // Ania Tunic

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Women's Waterfall Raglan // NEW Pattern Release

Wednesday, January 18, 2017