A new Summer Dress!

Leave a comment September 1, 2021 apinchofsewing

Hello,

Hope you are all well.

Here we are in September already! I am still holding on to these last Summer days… Today I have a new Summer dress to share with you and although the weather already looks a bit like Autumn, I still have a couple of Summer projects that I am working on.

About the dress I will be sharing today… it might be the perfect Summer dress, in my opinion of course. 🙂 But if you know me, you will know how much I like broderie anglaise.

I like everything about this dress. From the fabric to the lovely details!

You can read all about this dress here.

Hope you like it as much as I do 🙂

Happy sewing,

Maria x

Another Summer Dress and Pretty Sleeves

Leave a comment August 13, 2020 apinchofsewing

Hello, hope you are all having a lovely summer.

I have not been sewing much but still have plans to make a few more dresses that I hope will work well for early Autumn paired with a cardigan or a blazer.

The dress I will be sharing today was planned a few months ago, before the pandemic hit us all. At one point I almost did not make it but, in the end, I am glad I did. Also, paired with a blazer, I believe it will work wonderfully when the weather starts to cool down.

The pattern is theMcCall’s Sasha or M8036 in size 8 for bust and graded to size 10 at the waist/hip. This is a normal adjustment that I have to make for most of my makes. It is just one size however, it does make all difference and it looks so much better. Even more important, it feels so much better.

This pattern offers three skirt options, two sleeves and three closure options. I made version B with A/C sleeves. The changes I made were minimal if we can even call it changes. I used, a hook and eye for the inside closure instead of two ribbons because I didn’t want to be noticeable from the outside (I was afraid the ribbons would add some volume) and I made the hem slightly shorter than mentioned in the instructions, just out of personal preference.

I like Wrap Dresses as I think it suits my body type well and I like statement sleeves so, for that reason, this dress went right to my “I have to make it” list. I also quite like version C with option B sleeves… I guess another version should be considered.

I really like how this pattern works with different fabrics and I have seen some really pretty versions. However, I wanted the pattern details to stand out so I chose a plain fabric with some structure. The fabric is linen from The Fabric Store in Duck Egg colour and I really adore this shade. The linen worked quite well with the pattern and I truly like how it turned out.

Wish you all a wonderful weekend.

Maria x

A New Summer Dress

Leave a comment July 15, 2020 apinchofsewing

Hello,

We are one week away from starting our School Summer Holidays and even if this year we are not going anywhere, sadly, it will be nice to put an end to this very unusual school year and get some rest. A few days of dolce far niente will certainly be very appreciated by the girls.

Even if at the moment I am writing this post, it is raining and a bit cold, I do hope we will get a few lovely and warm summer days. With that in mind, I made a dress that says Summer when you look at it.

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I had this idea in mind but not quite the exact pattern for it. Usually I am not very adventurous with changing patterns however, this was such an easy modification that even I could make it.

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A few months ago, I made a dress (I will share more about it another time) using a Butterick pattern, B4443, and I really liked the fit. Now, that pattern offers different bodice options and one of those options was (almost) what I had in mind.

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So, I started with the bodice and added shoulder straps. I really like how it looks without straps however, I also know I will feel a lot more comfortable with the straps and lately comfort is a priority. In fact, the straps ended up being one of my favourite things about this dress as I added broderie anglaise to them. Don’t those straps look adorable and summery?

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The instructions say to interface the bodice but, I decided not to do it. If I was to make it strapless, I would have to add some structure to it but, having straps to help support I thought the interfacing would be pointless. I do not regret this decision. Also, the bodice is already lined.

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When I started making the dress, I was not sure about the skirt. So, I made the bodice first to see how it would look before deciding. An A-line skirt did not seem quite right, a circle skirt might have worked out well but, I believe the gathered skirt fitted better this style and that is what I choose in the end. I like it!

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The fabric is a poplin that I bought a couple of years ago, at Minerva, with another project in mind… Well, you all know how the story goes. I am glad I finally put this fabric to a good use.

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I am really happy with how this dress turned out and I can picture myself in a picnic, in the fields, wearing it.

Have a lovely weekend.

Maria x

Golden Dress

Leave a comment June 3, 2020 apinchofsewing

Hello,

I don’t know about you but, here in the UK the weather has been wonderful lately and making us dream of Summer holidays. I am not having high hopes regarding this Summer holiday however, that is not keeping me from making a few garments.

Yesterday, Project Run & Play released a pattern collection ready for Summer, the Project Watercolour Beach. This collection is a set of 10 patterns from different designers and Suco by Susana is one of them.

From what I could see, the collection has some great patterns however, I will only talk about the Golden Dress, from Suco by Susana, because that was the one I tested.

The Golden Dress is available from size 12 moths to 14 years old and is an easy one to make, easy to wear dress. It does not have buttons, zippers or other closures and that makes it perfect to wear on the beach, pool… but also looks great as dress for everyday wear. Just play around with different fabrics to obtain different styles.

I made a size 10 for F, without any changes, fits her perfectly and is very comfortable. The elastic waist makes it fitted but comfortable.

Despite having easy construction, this dress has really good finishing and some lovely details. To start with, it has pockets. You will have to trust me on this one as I forgot to take photos of the pockets but, it is there. The waist tie also adds some cute detail and is great if you want to use a contrasting fabric for a pop of colour.

Also, the neckline facing not only make a good finishing but also look really nice, even if not visible. As you know I like garments with pretty insides.

As for the fabric, it is recommended light-weight fabrics with good drape. I used a Robert Kaufmann Chambray bought 5 years ago(!) that I thought was perfect as it also matches the pattern collection theme. It worked pretty well in my opinion. As contrast, for the tie and facing, I used a Liberty Tana Lawn.

Overall, I found the pattern really cute and practical, perfect for everyday wear. As usual with Suco by Susana patterns, the fit is good, the instructions clear and with good constructions techniques.

Susana, also has another pattern as part of the collection, the Lemon Tee Pattern.

Now, during the release week the patterns will have 20% discount and the collection bundle with over 30% discount.

Have a good week.

Maria x

Amalfi Dress for Minerva

Leave a comment September 23, 2019 apinchofsewing

I case you didn’t know, the Amalfi dress is one of my favourites and, of course, this year I made a new one (it is only my 4^th Amalfi) using a lovely viscose crepe.

You can read all about it in here 😊

Have a wonderful week

Charleston Dress for Minerva

Leave a comment September 17, 2019 apinchofsewing

Here is another dress I made before going on holidays. I used a wonderful ponte knit from Minerva to make one of my favourite dresses, the Charleston.

You can read all about it in here 😊

Have a wonderful week

Madrid Maxi Dress for Minerva

Leave a comment August 29, 2019 apinchofsewing

Before going on holidays, I made a Maxi Dress using a gorgeous embroidered cotton from Minerva and it turned out as pretty as I pictured it. I absolutely love it and have been using it so much.

You can read all about it in here 😊

Have a wonderful weekend

Butterick 5748 Dress for Minerva Crafts

Leave a comment July 8, 2019 apinchofsewing

A couple of months ago I made a dress using a Waffle Cotton Fabric from Minerva Crafts. It was such a fun project to make.

The pattern I used is the Butterick 5748 and you can read all about it in here.

Have a wonderful week 😊

The Madrid Dress Tour

Leave a comment June 20, 2019 apinchofsewing

Today is my turn to share my version of the Madrid Dress! The Tour started last Monday, 17^th June and goes until Friday, 28^th. There have been some lovely versions and I am sure there will be plenty more and loads of inspiration. So, please, make sure you check it on IG, it is really worth it!

The Madrid Dress is Coffee and Thread’s latest pattern and is a Bohemian inspired faux wrap dress, packed with options that will make it wearable throughout the year, as a dress or a tunic.

The pattern is available from sizes 2 to 20 and based on my chest and waist measurements I made a size 2. Now, my hips measurements place me between size 2 and 4 but, as it isn’t a fitted dress in this area, I did not make any changes and went with a straight size 2.

Contrary to my usual self, I did some changes to the original pattern. First, I made it sleeveless. I have omitted the sleeves and finished with bias binding. I did consider lining the bodice but, because it is a faux wrap it wouldn’t work as I intended and abandoned the idea. I did make a toile but at the time it didn’t seemed necessary to take a bit at the shoulder although now I think it would have been better… Next time I know!

The second change I made was not exactly a change, I just added a ruffle to the neckline and I absolutely love it. 😊 The dress is lovely as it is but, I’ve seen a few ready to wear garments with that kind of ruffle and really wanted to make it.

I did not make any changes to the skirt and went for a midi length. I must thank Olga for mentioning in the instructions, that this pattern was drafted for women 160-172 centimetres height. Not my case, I am smaller, but in this case, decided not change anything to start with and see how it looked. Because the second tier is a rectangle, if it was necessary, I would take some length at the end. I ended up liking how it looked and not changing anything.

There is also an optional tie, that I made as I couldn’t resist a bow. I already have another version planned (just waiting for the fabric to arrive) and that one will not have the tie but, I am considering taking a couple of centimetres at the waist to make it a bit more fitted.

The fabric I used is Liberty Tana Lawn Edenham from Alice Caroline. I do adore this print and think it worked really well for this dress. Now we just need proper summer weather in the UK for me to wear it. Honestly, my boots are out again and the heating is on… I do need some sun!

I do have happy news for you! Olga offering 25% off any of her patterns during the tour, with code “madridtour” 😊 If you’re wanting to try one (or several) of her patterns, now it is a good time to get it. I’ve made quite a few of her patterns and totally recommend.