sewing blog – Page 4

I went Pinterest “shopping”, again

Pinterest scrolling led me to this fun outfit and I just knew I needed to recreate it.

I already had a similar looking fabric in my stash for the top, but nothing for the leggings, so I went fabric shopping. My shopping led me to The Fabric Fairy and their supplex category. I know people commonly use supplex for workout clothing, but I have found it can also be great for other things. Some supplex I have used in the past, has a kind of slick feel to it, but this was a little different. It had a smooth side and a slightly brushed feeling on the other side. This one is called Beyond Cream Supplex Lycra Jersey, and the description on their website says it is high wicking with a microsuede back. It sounded intriguing so I decided to give it a try. The fabric shipped pretty quickly ( I even got a fun pen! ), it washed up well, and sewing began.

I used the Patterns for Pirates Peglegs for these leggings. I like how quick they are and they had the right look for this outfit. Bonus, they are free. I like using the low rise on the pants, with the contour high rise waistband, from their add-on pack (also free). They keep things secure, I get no rolling, and they aren’t so tight that I get uncomfortable when I have health flares. I made a time lapse video, sewing up this pair, that you can see on my youtube.

Something to note, the Pegleg pattern, has negative ease like most legging patterns. I wasn’t sure how see through these would be, with that negative ease, but I figured with the longer sweater, it would be okay. I will definitely not be wearing these with anything other than nude underwear, ha ha ha, but even with the stretch, things stay G rated.

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To make the top to wear with them, I used the Nora from the DIBY Club. I was fortunate to have tested this pattern when it first came out a while ago and I still wear the two versions I made then. I knew one of the options it had was the split hem I wanted for this look, and with a little tweak to make it more of a high low split hem, it was perfect. I measure in a few different sizes, but since this has a bit of ease and I was under the finished measurements for the SZ 8, I just made a straight 8 for this look. I picked the 8 based on my upperbust measurement. I did my usual 1″ addition, for my 9″ sidewaist, and then added an additional 4″ to the back hem.

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I used some Burgundy Honeycomb Sweater Knit from So Sew English Fabrics, that I got last year. It is super soft and has that almost heathered look to it, that was like my pinspiration picture.

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Another pinspiration, made mine, and now I need to find some calf high, grey boots, and maybe a few more colors of that supplex 😉.

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.

Wardrobe Staples – Tank tops

Wardrobe staples are just that, staples. They are such great building blocks that can take a simple outfit up a notch or allow you to quickly expand your current wardrobe. Since I live in a pretty warm climate, year round, the wardrobe staple I use the most, are tank tops. When I got the opportunity to test the new Greenstyle Creations Staple Tank, I was excited. I enjoy testing and helping out pattern designers, but it can be a lot of work, fabric, and time. So when the item I’m testing, happens to be something I will get a lot of wear from, it’s a huge plus.

This particular tank is great to wear solo, layering over a sports bra, layering under a jacket or even a loose fit slouchy top. It fits the bust nicely and allows for a little breathing room throughout the rest of the bodice. The staple tank is available in the size range of XXS – 3XL. It has a pretty scoop back, perfect for showing off those fun bra straps if you wanted to.

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Another thing I love about this tank, is the option to finish your neck and arms with either a band or binding. I’ve become fond of binding on my clothes. I really like the low profile look it gives and I don’t find it more or less difficult to do than a traditional band.

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I used the binding method in the pattern for both my tanks. Yup, you read that right, I have already made two, and have a few more planned. Did I mention these are fast sews and don’t take up much fabric?? Both of my tanks were made from leftover fabric from my camo leggings and ombre maxi. I did my exact size per the chart and added my usual length for my height. Boom, done.

For the camo tank, I used double brushed poly, from So Sew English. I really love camo and I’m enjoying the addition to my wardrobe. I was so pleased with the versatility of this tank that I couldn’t stop trying different ways of wearing it. I kind of wonder what my neighbors were thinking as I paraded in and out of my house with all these outfit changes, ha ha ha.

For this outfit, I paired the tank with a new pair of Greenstyle Stride tights, in Supplex, and my black tennis shoes. This was super comfortable when I rode on my recumbent bike and for running around with the kiddos. This supplex was my first and I got it from So Sew English (SSE). It has a GSM of 440 and has totally been squat proof, plus it was a dream to sew up.

I changed my shoes into my white tennis shoes and threw on my cuffed sleeve jean jacket. Perfect for those cool mornings and evenings, or whenever I want to pretend that I don’t live in tanks and leggings most days. There is just something about the jean jacket and camo combo I can’t get enough of.

Change the shoes. Switch to some stretchy jeans and add a long necklace. Tucked in or left out. With a cardigan (This one is the Coffee & Tea from Annelaine, in a ribbed sweater knit from SSE) or without. Another three looks! SERIOUSLY!! 5 looks so far and I didn’t even get to take pictures of this tank with my slouchy tops, darn laundry.

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ITY is one of my favorite fabrics to wear for summer here. It has a cool touch to it and it feels so flowy that I wanted to try it as this tank. This particular ITY is the blue ombre Venezia from So Sew English. It’s only been available in bundles recently, but they do have other Venezia ITY options. I hung on to my three yard cut for a while and finally used it for my recent maxi. I was left with around two yards of not quite half the width of fabric. Turns out it was the perfect amount to make this tank. I really like how it looks with the white shorts. I’m thinking I need to add pair of loose leg white pants to my wardrobe soon. Wouldn’t that be cute??

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The Staple Tank is available from Greenstyle Creations and is on release sale right now, ending Wednesday, March 27^th. How would you wear your staple tanks??

Comfort Zone Redefined – Sew Expo

I have made it my goal, the past two years, to get out of my comfort zone. I had a health scare, I guess that’s the best way to put it, and my entire world was shaken up. It impacted things to the point where I had to stop normal daily life, sewing included. I don’t like dwelling on it, but it is reality, and I am “not supposed to be here”, or “supposed to be in a wheelchair”. As you can see from my pictures and this blog, neither is the case, and for that I am so incredibly grateful. Hence my blog and Instagram name.

These health issues are a struggle I will always have and some days are better than others, but I truly am grateful for where I am today. When I talk about my comfort zone it is mostly relating to the things I sew and wear, but it also encompasses so much more. This blog, my Instagram, going to a local Sewcial (my husband came with for moral support, he rocks), taking pictures of my makes and posting them online for all to see, testing patterns, helping others with their sewing journey, and sewing for others. All these things have been out of my comfort zone and usually I talk myself out of them, repeatedly, before I give myself the mental butt kick and go for it.

I know I mentioned I was going to a Sewing Expo in this blog post. Well, I did it, even though I was so nervous! I was nervous about traveling solo, meeting people in person that I had only met online, the weather, my health, my clothes, so many, many things. In reality, it was amazing. I realized that these were my people. I fit with them and our mutual love of sewing and fabric. I met so many new people, people I had seen online, and friends I had made online but never hung out with in real life. I laughed and smiled so much, my jaw and neck muscles were sore, ha ha ha. Life lesson – Laugh more! I wish I had gotten more pictures but I will forever cherish this experience and I can’t wait until the next time.

While at the Expo I took a class on “The Ins and Outs of Fitting the “Booty”, by Lorraine Henry. It appealed to me as something that isn’t typically spent time on in the groups I’m in, yet is so important. Since one of my sewing goals is involving more pants and shorts, I saw it as the perfect opportunity. I wish the class was longer because I wanted more info and I am curious how some of the fitting adjustments would vary depending on the type of pants I was making. She used a neat tape measure to easily measure her rise and crotch depth, among other important measurements. I took a few notes and can’t wait to research more and incorporate the info in my future makes.

There were so many neat machines and gadgets at the Expo too. It was pretty cool seeing them in action. I got myself something new to try. It’s called a Lil’ Hookey. I have been looking for a more efficient way of finishing off my serger tails and I’m hoping this is it. You can join me here as I try it out for the first time.

If you ever get the chance to attend a sewcial or sewing expo, I would highly suggest giving it a go. You never know who you will meet and what you may learn. I am eagerly awaiting my next opportunity. My comfort zone has been redefined, yet again, and I love it. Here is to sewing and growing ❤

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