Ebony Dress with fabric from Oaxaca

I love fast and easy sewing projects! They are so fun and satisfying. The Ebony pattern from Closet Case Patterns is the perfect quick project, in a few hours you can have a new dress! I've been wanting a swingy dress for awhile, so when the Ebony pattern came out I snatched it up right away. I finished the dress about two weeks ago and I have already worn it 4 times. I love how swingy it is!

It was very easy to sew, I don't have a serger so I did a zig-zag stitch on all my seams. I actually cut one of my pieces too small (when I traced the pattern I was watching Anne of Green Gables and not paying attention to what I was doing) but it didn't even matter! That's the beauty of sewing with knits, if you cut something too small you can just stretch it to fit! Another thing I love about knits is that they don't unravel so you don't have to finish your seams, which saves soooo much time.

The fabric for this dress is from a store in Oaxaca, Mexico. Josh went there for a film festival 1.5 years ago and brought me back tons of fabric (he's a keeper)! The simple silhouette of the Ebony works perfectly with the large pattern and bright colors on the fabric. I lined the fabric up so the pattern would go straight down the center in the front and back. I made sure to have the front neckline start in the center of one of the orange shapes, so the orange has kind of a necklace affect. The only other dress I've attempted with all my Oaxacan fabric was a Colette wren dress. I wear that one all the time too  :)  I went to Oaxaca with Josh this year and it is a beautiful city with very talented people and delicious food!

Pattern: Closet Case Patterns Ebony Dress

Size: 6

Fabric: A silky knit fabric from Mexico

Did I like the pattern? Definitely. It was super fast and easy, and it's cute so that's a win-win.

Captain of Sewing!

Next On My Sewing Table

I have all my fabric cut for another Grainline Linden. My fabric is a really fun textured knit that I got at an antique store! 

Archer Button Up

I looooove my new button up! I've been eyeing all the lovely Archers on Instagram and I finally decided to take the plunge and make one myself this winter (yes, it took me an entire season to make it because I'm slow - haha). It's only been done for less than 2 weeks and I've already worn it 3 times!

For the longest time I was really intimidated by the idea of making a button up top. It just seemed like there were so many steps and so much precision required. Spoiler Alert: there are a lot of steps (many many steps) and there are a ton of pattern pieces, BUT Grainline Studio's online tutorials make it really easy. The tutorials show you step-by-step (with photos and videos) how to do everything. And when you take it one step at a time - it's not that difficult and it's actually really rewarding because you are learning so much. I had already made the Grainline Alder shirtdress so that helped a lot, and between the two patterns I learned: how to make a collar and collar stand, how to make a button band, and how to make pleated cuffs! Yay - so many amazing skills!

Following the size suggestions on the pattern, I made a size 6 in the top and graded up to a size 8 in the waist. It is suppose to be a loose fitting top, but I think for future versions I'll do a strait size 6 or maybe even a size 4. The waist and arms turned out a little looser than I prefer.

There are so many things I love about this shirt - I took my time on the craftswomanship so the stitching and all my corners look nice. I bound the inside seams with a blue gingham print binding so it is pretty on the inside too. The butt ruffle is super cute! But, my favorite thing about this shirt is the fabric and buttons. I got the fabric at an antique shop in Iowa City, it is really soft and I love the beautiful bird pattern on it. The buttons are antique Czech glass buttons from my stash. I was debating if I liked the ivory or the black buttons better, and I decided to be crazy and use both. I actually love how it turned out with the alternating buttons, I was worried it would look too holly-hobby but I think it works because the buttons are so small.

My gingham binding!

Pattern: Grainline Studio's Archer Button Up

Fabric: Vintage (I'm not sure exactly what it's made of) and antique Czech glass buttons

Size: The top is a size 6 and I graded the waist to a size 8

Did I like the pattern? Very much! I want to make a ton more.

Next on my sewing table:
I started a Fancy Tiger Crafts Double Star Quilt in February and I finished the top, but then I learned that quilting is difficult. Soooooo I need to get that finished at some point. Also, I cut fabric for a Closet Case Patterns Ebony Dress and started sewing it last week. Yay!

Linden Sisters

I love making things for my family. For Christmas this year, I gave my adorable sisters Grainline Studio's Linden sweatshirts. The Linden being a loose fitting knit makes it PERFECT for gifting! You don't have to have the size exactly right and it still looks great. It also sews up really fast and easy, and if that wasn't enough it is super stylish. Love it!

On my original Linden I sewed a straight size 4, but my sisters are pretty tall (5'9" and 6'1") so I lengthened both of their Lindens a few inches. Other than that, I kept everything the same. I was really happy with the fit on both. They look relaxed but still really stylish.

Both of their Lindens have the same dark green french terry fabric. I paired Amanda's with a variegated gray french terry. For Maria's I used the looped side of the green french terry for the sleeves and the smooth side for the body. I spiced her's up with a metallic gold knit fabric for the neckline. The french terry was really nice to sew with because it is sooo soft!

Pattern: Grainline Studio's Linden Sweatshirt (again!)

Fabric: Lightweight french terry and a metallic knit from Fabric.com

Did I like the pattern? I want to make this pattern every day, it is such a joy to sew!

In other sewing news, I'm still working on my Grainline Archer. Tonight I will be sewing the side seams together, so it's coming along! Thanks to my future brother-in-law for taking these awesome photos of Amanda in LA! 

Striped Linden Sweatshirt

After wearing my Grainline Studios Linden Sweatshirt for MONTHS.... I guess it's finally about time to post it! Oh my gosh, have I been slacking on posting or what? Anyways, this was my first time making the Linden and it was an amazing experience. I love using Grainline patterns because the fit is always sooo great. This pattern is especially great because it is fast and super easy to make. After making my own I made each of my sisters one for Christmas. More pictures of them to come!

Mom wore the Seamwork Astoria sweater I made when I was home for Thanksgiving!

I wore my Linden when I voted!

I made view B with the cropped waist and sleeves. It looks great with skinny jeans and still keeps me warm. The best part about view B though, is that it only has 4 pattern pieces which makes it really fast to cut. ONLY FOUR! That's hard to beat. I made a straight size four and it fits really well. The waist on the Grainline Alder was a little short for my waist, but the waist length on this pattern is perfect for me.

The fabric is a french terry from Fabric.com. I love the color, but I was a little disappointed in the quality. It is much thinner than I expected and started getting pilly after the first wash. Now I only wash it by hand. It was not very expensive though, so I guess you get what you pay for. It still looks really cute, so I'm happy.

Pattern: Grainline Studio's Linden Sweatshirt

Fabric: Lightweight french terry from Fabric.com

Did I like the pattern? I love this pattern. It is definitely going to be a go-to for me!

I want to make a million more of these short sleeve Lindens. I found a really interesting textured knit fabric at an antique store recently and I'm thinking that will be my next Linen. In the mean time, I started sewing my first Grainline Archer (with fabric from that same antique store) and a self-drafted backpack. Hopefully I'll have pictures of my sister's Lindens for you soon!

Beaded Moneta Dress

I love the scooped neckline in the back!

Last week I finished my first Colette Moneta Dress! I was so excited when the Moneta pattern came out, because it is exactly the kind of easy dress I like to wear. I'm always inspired/distracted by the new patterns that come out, so somehow actually making a Moneta got lost in the shuffle for a few years. It's a good thing I finally tried it out, because it's an easy pattern and a very wearable dress.

Gotta love a dress with pockets!

I love how this dress is casual and business casual at the same time. I've already worn it 3 times! Now I need to make it in a bunch of colors and fabrics!  :)

I made version 3 of the dress in a straight size S. Overall, the fit is pretty good. I have some pulling under my bicep, I don't know if there is too much fabric there or what, but it doesn't really bother me. The fabric is a lightweight sweater knit, I bought on sale at Hancock Fabrics. It's difficult to see, but I sewed little glass seed beads following the pattern on the bodice. They shimmer a little in the sun, which is really pretty! I feel like Queen Elizabeth with my beaded dress, haha! I didn't do a ton of beading, because it's kind of tedious, so it would be like if Queen Elizabeth had some really lazy seamstresses. Ha!  :)

Pattern: Colette Patterns' Moneta Dress

Fabric: Lightweight sweater knit from Hancock Fabrics & glass seed beads

Did I like the pattern? Yes - sweet & simple!

I'm having a hard time deciding what to sew next - I have too many ideas. I started cutting fabric (really cute fabric) for another Mesa dress, so I'll have to finish that up. I also just bought the Grainline Studios Archer pattern and I have some fabric that will be perfect for a test run. Most importantly, Josh and I are going to Mexico in a month, so I want to make some cute things to wear with the fabric Josh bought me in Oaxaca last year (I used some of it for a Wren Dress). I'll just have to get to work and do them all!!!