The Willamette Shirt

1 Comment May 11, 2017 apinchofsewing

Now that Me Made May is in full swing and I am organising my wardrobe for warmer days, new summer shirts are very welcome, especially ones with a good fit and that you can use for a more casual look as well as for a dressy one. The Willamette shirt is Hey June’s new pattern and definitely covers these requirements!

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The Willamette shirt it’s a boxy dolman popover shirt with three views, cap sleeves or cuffs and optional front pockets, available in sizes 2 to 22. For the test I made version B, cap sleeve, without pockets in size 2, according to my chest measurements.

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Although, I was very tempted in making version A using a fabric with a good drape, as I think it will look lovely, I end up using Chambray (from here) that gives this shirt a boxier look but I actually like it and I know it will get a lot of use. For the bottom part I used a broderie anglaise for a summery look.

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For a shirt, this pattern is a fast sewing, the construction is actually quite easy and the instructions, as usual, are really good, so you end up with a very good looking shirt without being complicated at all! 😊 As I’ve mentioned before about Hey June’s patterns, Adrianna is careful with how the garments look not only outside, but also inside. This one is no exception and there are French seams inside this shirt. 😉

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Have a great weekend! 😊

I have a new dress!

Leave a comment March 20, 2017 apinchofsewing

Today was released the Trevi Top & Dress, the new pattern by Hey June Handmade. I am not going to mention again how much I love Adrianna’s patterns (oops! Just did it!) because you already know and this new pattern is no exception. 😉

The Trevi Top & Dress is a trapeze top or dress for woven fabrics and love how versatile and comfortable it is. Depending on the fabric and accessories you use you can achieve different looks and it also looks great paired with a cardigan.

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This pattern is available from size 2 to 22 and I made the dress version in size 2. I didn’t used it, but the pattern also includes a separate front piece with a darted full bust adjustment for cup sizes above C.

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The recommended fabrics for this pattern are the lightweight with drape and I used a lightweight viscose crepe that I really like but it was not the easiest fabric to work with, probably because it is not the kind of fabric I usually work with.

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The top/dress closes at the back with buttons, a feature that I really like! I like the fit of my dress but next time I will take a few centimetres, because I am not tall other than that, I will not make any changes and I am sure I will wear his dress a lot. How could I not? It’s perfect for hot Summer days in Portugal (I’m already dreaming with those days!).

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I probably didn’t have to say this, but just like all the other patterns I’ve tested or used from Hay June, the instructions are clear and helpful and the pattern pieces all match perfectly.

Hope you are having a lovely week. 😊

I’ve got a new sweater!

1 Comment January 26, 2017 apinchofsewing

Yes, I’ve got a new sweater and I love it! It’s no secret that I love Hey June’s patterns. Having tested few of them, I know how much work and care Adrianna puts in every new pattern. This time is no exception!

I immediately loved the pattern when I first saw it, just what I like the most in a sweater, comfortable but stylish. No doubt a sweater is really comfy but I also like a bit of style.

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The Tallinn Sweater certainly is comfortable but the cross-over bodice is such a stylish feature! The pattern is available from sizes XS to 2XL, with options for a turtleneck or cowl neck. As usual, all pattern pieces matched perfectly and the instructions are clear and helpful.

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For the test, I opted for the cowl version made in size XS, based in my chest measurements, because due to the sweater design the hip measurement is not so important and I really like the fit and won’t change anything next time.

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The fabric I used is a quilted knit from here that I bought last year and is very soft and warm. It might not be the best fabric if you are looking for a style, with a bit more drape, but certainly is great if you’re looking for comfort and warm, I’ve been wearing mine as much as possible!

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The pattern was released today and you can grab it on sale. Next time I want to make the turtleneck version, just need to find the right fabric!

Hope you’re having a great week! 🙂

The Santa Fe Top!

8 Comments May 12, 2016 apinchofsewing

If there is one pattern that you can use to make so many different tops, it is the Santa Fe Top, a Hey June pattern that was released today!

The Santa Fe is a loose flowy tank or dolman sleeve with options to play with colourblocking that depending on the kind of fabric, print or accessories you choose can be worn in many different styles.

For the test I’ve made two versions, both in size XS. The first one I’ve made was a version C, with a fabric that I am not sure where I bought it or even the composition, but I believe it is a viscose.

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The second one is view A using a lovely viscose fabric from here that gives this top a great drape. You can’t really see it very well, but in this version there is a front (and back) seam that is great to add some interest, like using a different colour thread! The seams at the front and back are optional and the instructions include both options.

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This pattern was made for knits with good drape and the sizes go from XS to 2X. The instructions are very clear and as usual, Adrianna paid close attention to detail.

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It has layers for printing only the size (or sizes) needed and instructions to print only the view you want so that you don’t have to print everything (really helpful!)

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My favourite thing about this pattern is the drape. I love how stylish yet comfortable this pattern is. I am sure they will have a lot of use this summer!

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Have a nice weekend. 🙂

The Charleston Dress!!

8 Comments March 25, 2016 apinchofsewing

I have mentioned before how I like Adrianna’s patterns, but the Charleston dress is different. Somehow I like it even more, if that is possible!

The Charleston dress was released today and is a fitted knit dress which means you get a dress with a great fit allied to the comfort of a knit. Winning combination, trust me.

The dress has two skirt options, view A is A-line with pockets, front pleats and darts at the back and view B has a slimmer silhouette. Both views can be made with an exposed zipper at the back and have 7 sleeve options, which means there are plenty of options to obtain the desired look, from casual to business, just play with the options and fabrics. 😉

I was lucky enough to be a tester and couldn’t be happier with my new dresses. 🙂 First I made a view A with ruffle sleeves in size XS, according to my chest measurements and although my hips measurements are a size S, I did not grade but I like the fit.

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I did not made any changes to the pattern and used a navy blue ponte de roma from here that worked really well for this dress. To add some interest, I used a lime green zipper to match a necklace my sister gifted me a while ago.

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Isn’t it a great thing to be able to make your own clothes? You don’t get stuck with the available options, you can make whatever you want and instead of buying the accessories to match your dress you make the other way around. I love this necklace but didn’t had many garments that match it, until now, that is. 😉

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Although view B is not the style of dress I usually wear, I couldn’t help myself and made one. I love how it looks! For this version I made again a size XS and I did not used the zipper but other than that I did not made any changes.

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For this dress I used a Jacquard jersey from here and my only regret is not having a higher percentage of cotton because I love the colour as well as the way it looks!

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Have a Happy Easter!

The Biscayne Blouse

8 Comments May 31, 2015 apinchofsewing

As you might have realised, I recently started to sew for myself and I am enjoying it more and more. I know I have not made that much but even though my satisfaction increases with each garment I make and for that reason I felt really happy to get to test The Biscayne Blouse by Hey June Patterns, which was released today and is in sale!!

I liked the blouse immediately when I saw the sketch for the pattern test calling and during the test I liked it even more, this is the kind of blouse that I buy for myself. The blouse features a hidden button placket, welt chest pocket and shaped neckband. If this might look a bit scary at first, don’t fear it because the instructions are very clear. This was the first time I made it and following the instructions I had no issues and if they don’t look so perfect I assure you that’s my fault, not the pattern or instructions 😉

Although my measures don’t fall all in the same size I made a muslin to check and then made it with the chest measure. So this is a size XS and although it looks a bit large (I like it that way) some adjustments were made and the fit improved.

The fabrics recommended are those with grate drape and I used a Palos Verdes organic voile from Cloud 9 and love the way it look and the way it feels.

My favourite part is the hidden placket and the welt pocket. Those are the most laborious parts and include several preparatory steps, all essential and very clearly explained and then ta-dah!! A hidden placket and a welt pocket!! That made me happy 🙂

Something else I particularly liked in this pattern is the care with the details and neat finishing, e.g. the seams are French seams and the technique for the bias binding finishing. You can always make it your own way even if the details are not in the instructions, but instructions that already include them always earn my extra points.

Depending on the fabric chosen and the way you style it with accessories or other garments, can be very versatile, thus for that reason I know that the ones I made are going to be often used 😉