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Paperbag Waist Allegro Skirt Hack // Sewing For Women

Friday, July 31, 2020

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!!**

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.

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

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!

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!!

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.

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.

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. 😉

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

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

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:

Skirt: Allegro Pattern - Love Notions {affiliate link}
Fabric: Tencel Denim - Joann (similar linked HERE)

Friday, October 4, 2019

DIY Anthropologie Inspired Ciao Tee // Tutorial // Sewing For Women

Happy Friday, friends!!

I am bursting with some exciting news for you today. First of all, I finished up this adorable Ciao Tee earlier this week, and I get to post about it!

I used the Union St. Tee pattern by Hey June Handmade {aff link}, a linen blend jersey knit from Imagine Gnats, sold out, but there is currently a similar knit in the shop HERE.

I made a size medium for a more oversized fit, shortened the bodice 1 inch, and otherwise sewed as per the pattern. My sweet spot with the Union St Tee is a size small for drapier knits, such as rayon or bamboo spandex jerseys. For knits with less stretch such as this linen blend jersey, or cotton knits with little to no spandex, I prefer to sew a medium and tuck or tie at the waist.

For reference, my measurements are B: 36", W: 29", H: 38". I could probably stand to grade down at the hips in a size medium, and that would eliminate the need to tuck or tie, but I'm a huge fan of that look so I'll probably just keep making them more oversized. 😊

For the letters, I used scraps from another Union St. Tee that I will post about a little later (IT'S SO GOOD). I fused the letters to the tee using EZ-STEAM II {aff link}.

This brings me to the second part of my exciting news. I put together a little video to show you how to stitch around the edges of the letters in a way that won't pull and distort your delicate knits!

You can watch that on my IGTV channel right here in the post, or you can click HERE and watch it on the Instagram app!

View this post on Instagram

Sew with me! I'll walk you through the steps to applique letters onto any tee! Outift Details: Handmade Tee (@heyjunehandmade #unionsttee ) Whole outfit, plus links to RTW items 👇 : #LTKunder50 #LTKstyletip @liketoknow.it http://liketk.it/2FvOH #liketkit Music by: Ikson Official

A post shared by Heidi || Handmade Frenzy (@heidi_handmadefrenzy) on Oct 4, 2019

Bear with me as I'm still learning with these IGTV videos. 😉 I feel quite amateur putting them together, but I'm finding out exactly what info I need to add/record/photograph, etc. So hopefully they will get better with time!

Regardless of all that, I'm super pleased with how my tee turned out! And I can now twin with my good friend, Teri! 😄 Click HERE to see what I mean!

The third and final piece of exciting news is that I now have a LIKEtoKNOW.it page!! This is a place where I can post all of my daily outfits and link to the items I'm wearing for easy shopping for you all, if you are interested!

I get a lot of questions about where I purchase my shoes, accessories, and other items that I wear that are not handmade, so this is a place where I can easily gather all of that information for you!

To view my outfits, you simply need to find my account on LIKEtoKNOW.it (My name is Handmade Frenzy) and click on the pictures for all the info. HERE is the link to my account!

I will still be linking all the info in my blog posts here as well, and it will look a bit more polished as you can see below! Simply click on the little icons to shop.

I'm really excited about this little addition, and I hope you all are too! I cannot express how much it means to me for you to support my blog through these links. Thank you!! 😘

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Happy Hump Day friends!

We've made it to the middle of the week! If you're like me you're gasping a little and thinking "already!?!" 😉

Today I wanted to share some details of my Danube Skirt I made recently using denim from Minerva. This fabric was gifted to me, and my style post will be live later on on the Minerva blog, so I'll be sure to share that as well!

I wanted to detail how I hacked the Danube Skirt pattern {aff link} by Itch To Stitch today, since the outcome is quite different than the original pattern. The steps are pretty simple, and I've included pictures I took along the way, but please be sure to reach out via email if you have any questions!

Let's dive in to the tutorial!

I cut the pattern to exactly the size my measurements placed me in on the size chart (a straight size 6), but then made a few alterations to the pattern before cutting out my fabric.

Since the pattern is meant to be quite fitted with side vents, and I was eliminating the side vents, I added a little bit of width to the skirt so that I would still be able to move around with ease.

I did this by simply adjusting the hip curve starting at about the base of the hip, adding width to meet the original seam allowance for the hem vent. It looks like this; notice the extra piece of fabric taped to the right side between the lengthen/shorten line and the hem vent.

I did the same thing for the back pattern pieces, adding in the extra paper, then laying the front piece on top of the back and traced out the new curve. Adding the width was as easy as that!

The next thing to do was to create the front button placket. Disclaimer: I miss-calculated the width I need to add, my center front was off by 1/4", and therefore made my skirt a bit more snug in the front! In the end it all worked out just fine, but as a reference point, I only added 1 1/2" to the center front of the pattern piece and I should have added 1 3/4"!

Since I wanted to keep my original pattern pieces intact as much as possible, I simply folded the fly flush with the center front seam, rather than cutting if off. Then I taped my button placket extension piece to the existing pattern with just a few small pieces of tape to hold it in place.

To create the button placket, *FIRST: INTERFACE the button placket area!!* I forgot to do this before the next step, so I had to press the placket twice, haha. Then fold the raw edge of center front in by 1/4" and press. Next fold it in by 1 1/4" and press. Edge stitch the outer edge and top-stitch at 1 1/8" to catch the edge of the placket.

Now you are done with altering the front pieces! From here, I just assembled as per the pattern.

The other two changes I made to the pattern was to shorten the skirt, and I made a construction change to the waistband.

For the length I determined how long I wanted the skirt to be and cut my front and back panels to that length (taking into consideration the height of the waistband), plus 1" for hem allowance.

The waistband adjustment was a personal preference. The pattern includes a one-piece waistband that is attached to the right side and then folded over and stitched to the wrong side. I do not like one-piece waistband constructions, so I simply cut it in two pieces, adding seam allowances and attached it the way I normally do my waistbands. I follow the method described HERE.

The waistband included in the Danube Skirt is also straight, not curved, which is not usually as much of a problem in high-waisted garments. But for my shape I do prefer a curved waistband, so for my next one, I'll be swapping in a curved two-piece waistband.

I had one little fitting issue while constructing this skirt. I had some strange pulling and excess fabric in the back. I didn't muslin (don't be like me), so I had already top-stitched the yoke and center back seam when I discovered the issue. While the fit is not "perfect", it is good enough for this one with the adjustment I made!

I essentially made the back skirt piece a size smaller from about mid-hip to about 4 inches above the hem. I will reflect this change to the pattern pieces before cutting out another one!

I also scooted the back pockets 1/4" toward the center instead of attaching at the distance suggested by the pattern. This is individual to each person, but that is what worked for me!

I am so pleased with my final skirt! I can't wait to style this so many ways this fall and into the holiday season!

Links: {Affiliate - thank you for supporting me and this blog!💕}

Skirt:

Danube Skirt Pattern: Itch to Stitch
Denim: Minerva (color: Indigo)
Buttons: Amazon

Sweater: Target (unfortunately this color is sold out, dark colors available) (similar) (similar)
Necklace: Target (similar)
Mules: Target (Color: Blush)

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

SLIDER

Paperbag Waist Allegro Skirt Hack // Sewing For Women

Friday, July 31, 2020

DIY Anthropologie Inspired Ciao Tee // Sewing For Women

Friday, October 4, 2019

Danube Skirt Hack // Sewing For Women

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Trevi/Taos #sewcialmashup // Summer to Fall Style

Friday, August 23, 2019

Links: