Tag: rayon challis

Trying a new pattern company – SeaChange

Have you sewn any patterns from Pattern Emporium?? I have almost purchased a few in the past, but always forget to go back and miss the sale, and since I try to only purchase when on sale, I have yet to make a PE pattern.

Side note, I love watching Kate’s preview videos. Even if the pattern isn’t my style, I just love to listen to her talk and see all the different ways she styles her own pattern. All the fabrics she uses, and her personal thoughts on why she likes which ones. I just love them and her passion for sewing her own clothing.

The video for the SeaChange was no different, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Except this time, I was determined to catch the release sale and make one for myself.

When I was shopping for fabric at Fabmere, for my Siena ( you can read about it here), I saw a gorgeous red floral, with an almost paisley look to the flowers. It made it into my cart and was earmarked for my SeaChange. I have said it before and I will probably say it a million more times, I LOVE RAYON CHALLIS, especially for our spring and summer.

The SeaChange is a jumpsuit (3/4 or full length) & playsuit ( short or mid length) romper. It has short, regular, or tall cutting lengths, wide or narrow straps that can be fixed, adjustable, or tied. Plus optional side ties, sash, and pockets.

I chose the short length playsuit, with narrow fixed straps, and pockets. For fun I did a narrow rolled hem for the legs.

I know the mantra of making a muslin first, I also knew that I only had a couple yards to make this pattern, and this was my very first time making a PE pattern, all very good reasons for making a muslin first. BUT, I have heard great things about Kate’s drafting, I read her tutorial ( the amount of tips and fit help and steps on how to check fit, were amazing!!) and felt really comfortable with just going for it. With not having much time to sew this past month, it was a good call and I had absolutely no fit issues.

I really appreciated the attention to fit that was provided. I know I usually need to make certain adjustments to patterns for my body, and I can’t even begin to explain how nice it was to know if I actually needed to make those adjustments. For an example, the straps. I almost always have to adjust the straps on cami type tops, and usually longer, which means I need to recut. Kate actually made the straps longer, included a note about it, and I was able to do one fit check and use the original straps, vs multiple fit checks and having to recut new longer straps.

I chose to wear my SeaChange loose with no tie or sash. It really feels very springy, breezy, and super comfy (especially with my current health flare). I love how it almost looks like a dress, but I have no worries of things blowing up and being exposed.

Since our weather is currently fluctuating from the 70’s in the morning and evening, and the 90’s during the day, I decided to try it on with some white tennis shoes and my jean jacket.

I love how this looks!!

I am definitely making more of this pattern, and I’m determined to not miss another PE sale 😂

Fabmere Fabrics has this Rayon Challis still in stock, plus a few other solids and prints.

All the Boho-ish feels – Siena

April has been a really busy month for our family with birthdays, events, schooling, and the home renovation we are doing. Because of it all, my sewing time has been little snatches of 15 minutes to an hour, here and there. As someone who hates incomplete projects and being in the middle of multiple projects at the same time, it’s been a source of annoyance and I have had to get really creative with fitting things in.

I missed out on testing a new pattern from Made for Mermaids, but knew I wanted to purchase it as soon as it released, and then I fell in love with a new pattern from Pattern Emporium and had to add it to my list. Since I knew these were both patterns I wanted to make right away, I ordered fabric for them and slowly worked on them both, at the same time. You can read about my first Pattern Emporium experience here.

The Made for Mermaids Siena is almost the exact skirt I pinned a bunch of times on Pinterest and as a woven pattern, I knew it would still be comfy to wear even with our rising temperatures.

One of my favorite woven fabrics is Rayon Challis and the Honey Gold color from Fabmere Fabrics was spot on for what I had envisioned.

The Siena has 6 different hemlines ( mini, knee, high-low in both above the knee or below the knee, midi, and maxi length), each with different tier amounts, plus the option to sew the tier seams with an enclosed or exposed raw edge. There are two different elastic waistband options, with three different elastic configurations, and an optional faux tie.

For this one I did the full maxi length with enclosed tier seams, and the basic elastic waistband, with one piece of wider elastic. I’m feeling very boho and crazy comfortable in this skirt.

For my height I added 2″ total to the skirt, adding 1/2″ to each of the four tiers, to keep it even. Once I got to the hem, I realized the length was almost exact for where I like to wear maxis at, and I decided to finish it with a rolled hem.

I love rolled hems, so fast, so clean, and such a fun little detail!

I like that I can wear this with my most worn Hey June Handmade, Union St. Tee, tied up, or this tank tied up or tucked in, and get a few different looks. I think the tied up tee is my favorite though. Which is your favorite top?

The Siena is available in Baby, Youth, and Women sizing.

Fabmere Fabrics has several Rayon Challis in stock, including a little of the Honey Gold I used.

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