Party Dresses

2 Comments September 4, 2018 apinchofsewing

Before going on holidays, we attended a wedding and for the first time, I decided to make the dresses for both girls and myself. I was comfortable with the girls’ dresses, but not so much with making one for myself. Let’s be honest, I’ve made a few dresses for myself, but a dress to attend a wedding I was not so sure.

To start, I made M a dress I had made before and really like, the Atlanta dress by Nun Studio.

For this dress it is essential that it fits properly at the chest, so I made a size 6 for width, with size 8 for height and the fit is great.

My favourite part of the dress are the sleeves, so I wanted to accentuate that feature and used a different fabric for lining ang cotton lace. The main fabric is Broderie Anglaise from the Sweet Mercerie and the lining fabric is Liberty Felicité denim blue from Stragier. Two of my favourite fabrics 😉 and I just wish this dress could grow with her…

F asked me if I could make her a twirling dress with a sash and bow. That was an easy request, that I was pleased to fulfil.

Once more, I used a pattern I already knew, the Tinny Dress by Straight Grain, with circle skirt and regular bodice. To make it as per F’s request, I added a sash. Also, I thought a ruffled collar would look good and she agreed on adding it.

I made a straight size 8, using the same fabrics used for M’s dress. Installing an invisible zipper in this fabric was not the most enjoyable task and it’s not perfect but the sash helps disguise and it looks so pretty!

Although it was quite warm back in July, the truth is you can never trust the weather in the UK, so I decided to make both girls a cape, bearing in mind that the wedding was at the evening.

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The pattern I used is the Constance Cape by Jilly Atlanta in size 7 for both girls. To choose the size I considered the shoulder to shoulder measurement and opted for straight hem, gathered collar and ties. The girls did really enjoy this cape 😊

I used a linen from Stone Fabrics for the main fabric and some Liberty (the same as the one used for the dresses) for the collar and ties. Love how it looks!

Now, this post is getting a little longer than usual and I hope someone is still reading until this point.

For myself, I thought about using a pattern for a long dress, but I was afraid I would have to make changes and I didn’t had the time to make muslins and adjustments, so I decided to go with a pattern I already knew and loved and made one more Amalfi dress…

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The only change I made was to extend the skirt. I used the tea length version to start with and added 26cm.

The fabric is viscose crepe from Atelier Brunette bought at Maçãs d’Amor. I’ve used this fabric before and knew it drapes beautifully, just what I needed to achieve the look I had in mind.

Now I promise I will stop sharing summer projects and hope it won’t take too long to share my autumn make

Nova Blouse

6 Comments January 15, 2018 apinchofsewing

I can’t believe I forgot to share this blouse in here! This one is, very likely, one of my favourite makes.

This was not the first time I made the Nova pattern from StraightGrain Patterns (you can check here) and ever since I wanted to try the honeycomb pleats version, as I adore the effect it lends to a garment. So, I finally made it last Autumn (yes, that long ago!).

I made a size 7, without changes but instead used the ¾ sleeves from the Feliz pattern, also from StraightGrain Patterns. The other small change I made, was adding lace to the sleeve hem, for an extra girly touch… okay, and also because you know how much I love lace and couldn’t resist it.

The fabric is a vayella from Ratucos in a beautiful mauve colour that worked well for this project even for the honeycomb pleats.

I liked this pattern already, but I confess this version is my favourite and I’m already planning a summer version.

The thing is, M wants to wear jeans more often now and I thought that with a girly blouse it would be practical, as she prefers, but still elegant and girly and I like how it looks. I think it works great for both of us this way. 😊

I still have more makes from 2017 to share but, now that I seem to have started to feel inspired and motivated again, hopefully will share some new year makes soon. 😉

Autumn sewing

2 Comments November 13, 2017 apinchofsewing

I’ve been a bit absent from this little place of mine lately, but not from sewing. In fact, I’ve been busy sewing a lot, just not sharing. Hope I can fix that and give some more attention to this blog that I cherish.

One of the things I’ve made was the Feliz dress, a pattern by StraightGrain Patterns. I just love this name, as it means Happy in Portuguese! I’ve been wanting to make it since it was released and it had to be part of my girls’ wardrobe.

This pattern offers many options and it was not easy to choose but I decided to make the dress option with pleated skirt, ¾ sleeves and closure with buttons for F, in size 8.

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I adore the look of this dress, it’s perfect for girls of all ages, really. I opted for the pleats and don’t regret it a bit.

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Although I do love some ruffles and bell sleeves, for this once I opted for regular ¾ sleeves to make it easier to wear with a cardigan, but I will definitely try other sleeve options.

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I did not make any changes to the pattern, except taking 2cm to the skirt, as F was right in the limit of the 8Y size and I prefer skirts on the short side than longer, but I believe she have grown already since I took these photos! Honestly, lately I find myself thinking how much they are growing up and wishing it would all slow down a bit, although being enjoying this phase so much. The talks we have now are precious and priceless.

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The fabric is a viyella, in a beautiful shade of blue with navy blue dots, from Ratucos and worked nicely for this pattern.

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Apart from sewing we’ve been busy outside enjoying Autumn and its beautiful colours although in the last couple of days I would say it is looking more like winter already. Perfect excuse to make some nice sweaters and cardigans don’t you think?

I still have quite a few makes to share in here that I hope you will enjoy.

The Nova Dress Tour

4 Comments June 12, 2017 apinchofsewing

Today is the second day of the Nova Tour and I’m so glad to be joining this amazing group of ladies! An’s patterns are adorable and the Nova is a wonderful pattern with lovely details and so many options, from size 3M to 12Y and available in paper or PDF.

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As I mentioned before, the Nova has plenty of options to choose from. Four front pleats options, three sleeves, three back options and all can be made as a dress or blouse. How versatile!

As I am preparing the girls wardrobe for summer and there are always many opportunities to wear a dress I choose to make F a dress with cap sleeves.

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I confess I felt tempted to make the honeycomb pleats, that I like so much, but because the fabric has a busy print, I think it wouldn’t stand out. So, instead, I opted for the flat pleats.

The only thing I made different was the collar. I made a ruffled collar using a beautiful broderie anglaise lace, gifted by the lovely Carla. Thank you so much!

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As for the size, I made a size 7 based on F’s height. I could (and probably should) have blend sizes and made a smaller size for width but she didn’t complain, I think it’s fine and she can move freely. 😉

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As if it was not enough this pattern being adorable, it has a special name, Nova, which is the Portuguese word for new (in the feminine form)! The colour of the fabric, I used, resembles the traditional Portuguese tiles (azulejos), so I thought it would be a good match.

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I would say the fabric is a poplin weight cotton, from a Portuguese shop and I used a white cotton fabric for the lining. The pattern offers three options for the back closure and I opted for the ribbon. It’s a lovely detail for summer dresses, don’t you think?

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