Tag: sednicolette

Hannah Hem Hack-Skip The $68 Price Tag

This really isn’t a hack, more of a simple mod, but I couldn’t resist the title of Hannah Hem Hack. It was just too much fun.

I’ve made a Hannah in quilted, a quilted and brushed French Terry combo, and a poly skimo hacci. You can see them here.  So when I decided to recreate this pin ($68 price tag, no thank you), I pulled out my left over plaid super plush from last year.

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I really wanted to have the black contrast collar, so I cut into my hoarded black super plush, for the collar lining and it was just right.

The Hannah pattern is banded at the bottom and the sleeves are cuffed, so to recreate this pin, I needed to alter it just a little for a hem.

To start with I added the amount of the bottom band, to the hem of the bodice, plus a bit more for my 1″ hem. I usually like a 1/2″ hem, but for super plush I prefer a larger hem since it is so squishy. I made my marks off the bottom of the original bodice pieces, and drew a line to indicate my new bottom hem.

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Then I needed to draw my new side seams. Since it has a slight widening at the hem and I didn’t want to continue that line and make a flare, I brought it in a little and blended into the original side seams.

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When all was said and done, I ended up taking an inch back off the hem after I tried it on, which gave me a total addition of 3.5″. I did this to both the front and back bodice pieces.

I followed the same steps for the sleeves and added 4.25″ to them. The only difference to the sleeves was that they taper in at the hem. Since I didn’t want them too tight, I wrapped a scrap piece of fabric around my wrist to determine how snug of a fit I wanted. Then I added a little to the fabric length to account for seam allowance, and that was what I made the width of the sleeve at the hem. Then I blended the lines in to the original sleeve seams for my new pieces.

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I made no other changes to the pattern and with those two simple mods, I now have a hem option Hannah.

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The Hannah is on new release sale for $5 until Sunday 11/3, midnight EST. The fabric is super plush from So Sew English. With a total price tag of $30, it is a bit more up my alley, and it’s custom fit to top it off.B632F6C1-E61D-47F3-9C7B-DDC56AAAD428

This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through that link, I may get a % back, at no additional cost to you. Let’s be honest, we all know it goes right back to adding to my fabric stash. All opinions on this blog are my own.

Styling my first Red dress – Nicolette

I like solids because they really make it easy to include the pieces in several different outfits. So when I decided to make my first red dress and I wasn’t sure how I was going to wear it, I went through my closet and just let my imagination run wild. I came up with so many combinations but decided to just share these 7 with you all. It was 108* when I was taking these pictures and after number 7, things were getting a little rough 😂. So 7 it is.

This dress is the just released Nicolette from Sonia Estep Designs. If you missed my last post with all the details, the other two I have made, and my armpit sniffing pose, you can get caught up here.

First, my straight up red dress, solo. (Now I’m singing red solo cup in my head, as I type this).  I love the seam down the back, it adds just a little something to the dress. I have worn this with tennis shoes and with sandals both. It is perfect for errands, out to dinner, or just chilling at home doing kitchen DIY.

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For this look I grabbed an infinity scarf I had. A quick wrap around my neck and it changes the dress from summer to spring, or even fall if you live in warm climates. I could also see this with a lightweight woven scarf for summer.

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This next one I added my jean jacket to it. You can roll up the sleeves or even combine the scarf and jacket if you wanted to add another option.

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This cardigan was one of my first additions of red in my wardrobe and I was so happy it complements this Nicolette so well. This is perfect to take to those freezing movie theaters or even a cold grocery shopping trip. Can’t you just see it with some knee high boots too??  I can not wait for cooler weather to get here so I can wear this combo.

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Since it IS so hot here, I’m happy this breezy woven, kimono sleeve cover up, also works with this Nicolette. I was iffy on the color combo between the two, but I definitely will be making more with some other wovens I have my eye on. Pool party anyone?

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Did you know you could tie a knot in your Nicolette and make it a top to wear with your favorite pair of shorts?? If the knot look isn’t for you, the Nicolette also has a shirt option included.ED2968A6-4BDA-415D-8042-17143BE417F6

How about swapping your shorts for a pair of leggings? Just pull down the scrunch and now you have a booty covering top with a cute knot.

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I was really having a good time trying out so many new looks with this one dress. I even got commentary from the kids on which was their favorite. Any guesses as to which?

If you haven’t gotten your Nicolette yet, you haven’t missed out. It is still on sale for 50% off until Sunday, 7/7 Midnite EST. How will you wear it?

This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through that link, I may get a % back, at no additional cost to you. Let’s be honest, we all know it goes right back to adding to my fabric stash. All opinions on this blog are my own.

My first sew in 5 weeks – Nicolette

I have been unable to sew for 5 weeks due to our DIY entire kitchen remodel. More on that in a later post. As this remodel was winding down I was able to sneak in a little sewing time this week and make the most amazing dress!

I am so blessed to be part of the team over at Sonia Estep Designs and we just launched the first pattern, Nicolette. Let me tell you about Nicolette. It has two neckline options ( v neck and scoop), three sleeve options ( tank, short sleeve, and cold shoulder short sleeve), and several length options. You can do a shirt, above knee, knee, and maxi length. If that isn’t enough, there is even a color blocked maxi and optional slit. I like how the back is cut mirrored for extra design options, easy sway back adjustments, and most important, squeezing a swingy dress out of less fabric.

The Nicolette covers the 00-22 size range and has an amazing feature I just love. You ready for this?? It comes with both the overlap pattern option and the edge to edge pattern option, plus A0. If I have to print at home, I prefer to use the edge to edge since my printer likes to mess with me and it allows me to just fold up the pattern quickly into a nice pile I can slip into a manilla envelope. But if you like your overlapping patterns, you can totally do that option too.

When this pattern was being created and tested, I made two versions.

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This blue above knee length tank, in a bamboo spandex from So Sew English Fabrics. I have worn this dress so many times, it’s not even funny. The pattern changed a little after this one, but to add a little more swing and get this look, you can just flare out your skirt portion a little.

My second one was this maxi.

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I have been hoarding this ITY from So Sew English from last year. I knew it needed to be a maxi but was indecisive on which one. Nicolette won the day and adding that slit option really takes it up a notch for me. They don’t have this ITY in stock anymore, but there are so many other gorgeous ITY options that would be stunning as a Nicolette.

Now, for the one I made this week. I seriously had a small window of time to sneak in some sewing. If you saw my IG post, you probably saw me sewing it up at our makeshift kitchen counter/kitchen everything. It was such a fast sew that my husband ran to the hardware store for supplies and I made it in the time he was gone. I know, I’m impressed, I’m usually a super slow seamstress.

I saw a picture on Pinterest and it was my inspiration for using red. I’ve done red here and there and have branched out to include it more, but this was my first red dress. I was nervous. Turns out I like red and so does my family. Both my kids and husband complemented me on it when I was heading outside to take my pictures.


What Pinterest inspiration picture would be complete without trying to recreate the pose?? Ya’ll, I feel like I’m sniffing my armpit 😂. Can I hashtag this?? #notamodel

I used a new fabric from So Sew English for this red version. It is Modal Ponte. Modal and Ponte are two of my favorite fabrics so I was really interested in trying this blend. I love it ! It doesn’t have the structure of Ponte, so no leggings, but it definitely has the smooth handling I love about Ponte. It has a little less drape than straight modal, and is a bit more opaque than regular modal as well. AND, it breathes so well! I really think I need to get a few more of the colors to have in my permastash. It sewed up so nicely, no curling edges like rayon spandex either. They have some left in stock if you are interested in checking it out yourself. Enabler Alert – So Sew English is having a mostly site wide sale until 7/6 midnite PST. Use code 4TH25 to get 25% off your order.

Since Nicolette just released, it is on sale as well. 50% off!! Until Sunday, 7/7 midnite EST. You can get it here.

Curious how to style your Nicolette? Look for my next blog post where I share the 7 ways I plan to wear my red above knee Nicolette.

This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through that link, I may get a % back, at no additional cost to you. Let’s be honest, we all know it goes right back to adding to my fabric stash. All opinions on this blog are my own.