More Coco dresses

I made two more Coco dresses. And a fourth one is already cut out. 

The complete review of my first Coco Dress is here.

I got a bit of a sunburn there. The New Mexico sun is unforgiving. I swear I am using sunscreen. But my face isn't important here. Look at the dresses!

This is the perfectly adjusted version. The first version with the 3/4 sleeves is a size too big. 

For this one I cut a size 2 and cut out the armholes bigger. For that adjustment I usually just chop off a bit from the lower edge of the armhole after cutting out the pattern pieces. In this case I cut off 1/2. The size two sleeves still fit with a bit of stretching.  

 For this one I forgot to adjust the armholes and it is a bit snug around the shoulders and arms. What's with  armhole sizes anyway? Does everybody else have spaghetti arms?

Both fabrics are from Girlcharlee.com

Just a reminder to always wear sunscreen!

Fitted Tunic/ Mini Dress Alabama Chanin Style

My finished Fitted Tunic/ Mini Dress in Alabama Chanin Style. The pattern is from the book 'Alabama Studio Sewing & Design'. I highly recommend it if you like this style and hand stitching. 

I made the basic version without any embellishment. Just a double layer of pink cotton interlock jersey from my stash. I am doing some serious stash busting here. It is a test version to check the size and fit. This is a size M in tunic length, but I think it works just fine as summer dress.

I am not sure if the wrinkles in the front seam are caused by using too much tension in the seam. Well, it is still wearable.

The same is going on on the lower end of the side seam. Practice, practice, practice!

It was surprisingly fast to assemble this tunic. Not much to say about the pattern. I have read some reviews of the Alabama Chanin pattern where people complain about the low neckline. That doesn't apply to me. I see no problem there. I must have some lucky build. I hardly ever have to change any pattern.

My cretan stitch to attach the binding is getting more even, so yay!

Here another close up of the binding. 

Pattern Description:

Fitted top in different lengths - shirt, tunic, mini dress, long dress.
From the book 'Alabama Chanin Studio Sewing & Design'
 

Pattern Sizing:

S, M, L, XL
I made a size M
 

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes
 

Were the instructions easy to follow?
The book give very clear instructions. All the techniques are explained very clear and thoroughly.
 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I love all the patterns from the book. Some people complain about the low neckline, I don't.
 

Fabric Used:

Cotton Interlock Jersey
 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

No changes
 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

This is a test version without any embellishments. I will sew this again with stenciling etc. I recommend it.

More Skater Dresses

Just in case you haven't noticed, I love the Skater Dress by Kitschy Coo

I've posted about this pattern in detail here.

So today just pictures of my two newest versions. The fabric is from Girl Charlee.

 Isn't this fabric awesome?!?!

I shortened the bodice 3/4 inch for this version and it fits much better now. Less crinkles in the back.

I always knew I am a trendsetter. Look at this.
Taylor Swift with fox shirt. Can't believe what a copycat she is!

Skater Dress x3

And here they are, my Skater dresses. Because when I like a pattern I can't just make one. The pattern is by Kitschy Coo and you can find it here

It is a PDF pattern, so prepare for some printing and assembling. But it is well worth it!

This version is Crepe Jersey which I bought a year ago at Fabric.com. Anyone else annoyed about their new website?

 This fabric is from Denver Fabrics in Denver (not the website). It is a nice rather slinky jersey.

 

The Strawberry version. Heather Ross Briar Rose in Lilac. I am not sure if all that white doesn't look too much on me due to my rather fair skin tone. But I love the fabric. 

Here is a side/back view. 

Pattern Description:
This funky yet functional knit dress has a fitted bodice, scooped banded neckline, a curved flared knee-length skirt, and options for trimmed cap sleeves, or banded ¾ length sleeves or long sleeves. It's designed to flatter the figure with a waistline that hits at the natural waist and a skirt that gently skims over the lower waist and hips.

Pattern Sizing:
There are eight sizes included in the pattern, ranging from a 30” to 44” high bust, and a 24” to 38” high waist. I made a size 34"

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?
The PDF pattern comes with two different instructions. A long version with lots of photos and detailed instructions, and a short version without pics. Both very easy to follow.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Nothing to dislike.

Fabric Used:
All three versions are cotton jersey.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I didn't make any alterations. In a next version I might shorten the bodice a bit.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I will sew it again, and highly recommend it to others. Great pattern for beginners with knit fabric.

Conclusion: 
A super easy and fast to sew dress. Very cute and flattering.

This is my favorite song right now. The whole CD is running constantly on my playlist.

Alabama Chanin

I remember seeing the Alabama Chanin books at Barnes & Noble and looking at them briefly. Afterwards I went on their website and was enchanted by the style. But it wasn't until about three weeks ago that I finally ordered my first book, Alabama Studio Sewing + Design. Now my mind is set on one day making one of the gorgeous dresses myself. 

But first I have to practice on some smaller projects. I bought a second book and the basic needed tools and started with a little project from Alabama Stitch Book.

I ordered the two scissors at Amazon.com (it was a bit cheaper), the thread and needles are from the Alabama Chanin website. I really like that she doesn't keep it a secret how to copy her wonderful designs. And even more, offering on her website the exact same high quality tools she is using to create these wonderful garments. 

My first project were these gloves. It was a nice way to try out the stitching technique. I used some cotton jersey from my stash. I want to practice a bit before I buy the fabric from the website.

Here a close up of the embroidery stitches on the gloves. I used to do some cross-stitch embroidery when I was younger and have quite a bit leftover embroidery thread. 

The first two panels from the next project, the Reverse-Applique Corset. The outer layer is the same cotton jersey as the gloves. The underlayer is also from my stash. I didn't think these two colors would work that well together, but I really like the effect.

Here a closeup of the Reverse Applique. I am still practicing :-)

I don't have a paintbrush gun or any fabric paint (yet?), so my stenciling technique was a Sharpie marker. 

Simplicity 1916

Here is another knit top I finished. Well, so far I only made a wearable muslin. Simplicity 1916.

I made view E, it's the cutest of all the options, in my opinion anyway. I don't car much about flowers or flounces hanging off my wardrobe. But view D and E are really cute. A and C are in consideration as well. 

I bought the fabric dirt cheap at a local store. It's quite sheer, but it works for lounging around the house. Another quick and easy top for the summer. More to follow for sure.

Here the back view. The only thing I want to change next time is omitting the seam at the center back. It seems quite unnecessary.

 

Simplicity 1716

Here is my first go on Simplicity 1716. I made view F without sleeves.

The fabric is some kind of structured knit. Another fabric from the big pile of fabric I bought last year at the sales section at Denver Fabrics in Denver (not the website). It's a really easy and quick pattern. And the hanging neckline makes for a fancy look. I am not sure, if I will ever be making the tunic or dress version though. Not quite sure if it is a style that fits me. But we will see. I will for sure make another top or two.

I have some jersey in my stash with a nice soft drape, which I will use for view F with the sleeves of view E. I also got a lot of use out of my serger the last couple of weeks with this and a couple of other projects, which I will share in another post.

A close up of the neckline.

And the back view.The stripes don't really match up, but I don't care. It was supposed to be only a wearable muslin anyway.

And another Kyoko Dress

How many Kyoko Dresses does one need? A lot! 

It's just such an easy and quick pattern. I love it!

This one is made out of some fine jersey I got on sale. I think it was about $4.

What? The stripes don't match? Who cares. I don't! I actually think it's rather nice to break off the symmetry. 

One week from now I will sit in a plane to Germany wearing this dress. I like to wear comfy things while traveling, and thought a knit dress would be perfect.

Another Kyoko Dress

Last Sunday I finally had some time to take pictures of the finished projects of the last weeks. But most of them didn't turn out good enough to post here. I will do it again sometime this week. I did finish the Thurlow Trousers in time with the sew-along, and will post about it as soon as I get some decent pictures.

In the meantime another Kyoko Dress. The fabric is a very flimsy jersey with border print. I bought it off the sales rack at Denver Fabrics in Denver. (not to be confused with the website)

I am still debating with myself if I should hem skirt and sleeves or just leave 'em.  This is such an easy and quick dress pattern. And it makes for a nice casual dress.

I like Corduroy!

I am starting to sew more for the cold time of year. Here is my first fall ensemble. The Renfrew Top Version A in Navy Cotton Jersey. First time that I've sewn it with long sleeves. I absolutely love this pattern and have at least three more fabrics in stash for more. The skirt is Barcelona Layered Skirt by Amy Butler in grey corduroy.

After I finished the Lisette Passport Jacket I knew I wanted a fitting skirt to go with it. So I went to JoAnn's and bought more of the corduroy for the skirt. It was unintentionally that the top fits in color as well. 

 

My Renfrew Tops

I just ordered three patterns from Sewaholic, and absolutely LOVE them!! I cannot recommend them enough! First patterns I tried was the Renfrew Top. This is my first try. The fabric is Rayon-Jersey. It's also the first time that I worked with this kind of fabric, and it wasn't all that bad. It took me a while to find the straight, and I had to be careful while pinning because of its lightweight, but in the end it turned out quite well. But I don't think I will use this kind of fabric again for this top. It is just too flimsy. And this was meant to be a wearable muslin anyway.

According to the pattern envelope I would be an 8, but because I was using stretch knit I cut out a size 6 and it fits perfectly. My second try is from Organic Cotton Jersey. Thicker than the Rayon Jersey, a breeze to sew with and very comfortable to wear. There is already some Cotton Jersey in dark blue and Tencel Jersey in gray waiting in my stash to become a Renfrew Top.