He Says "It's Equally Important for Boys to Support Girl Power!"

My family enjoyed watching the NBC show Making it. We watched Amber Kemp-Grestel  and enjoyed her progression through the series. Little Miss loved her hair and loved seeing someone who looks like her. When I saw that Amber had a new fabric collection with Riley Blake Designs, I was excited to be a part for the blog tour hoping to surprise Little Miss with Mama and Me outfits.

I chose: Girl Power Put Your Hands Up, Multi

and Girl Power Put Your Hands Up, Pink

When the fabric arrived, I excitedly shared the prints with Little Miss and we began to plan our outfits. Little Man entered the room and was immediately drawn to the Hands Up, Multi fabric. He is usually indifferent and stunned me when he asked for a project for himself. Little Miss sweetly smiled and told him he may want to reconsider because the collection is called "Girl Power". Without missing a beat, he said he was cool with it because, "It's equally important for boys to support Girl Power." 

With a joyfully  bursting heart, Little Miss decided to give him her fabric for this project. She declined my fabric choice in favor of a "Mama and He" collaboration. (I am so proud of these little people.) He decided on a button-up shirt with a front pocket. I used a vintage McCalls 2394 pattern for him. I cut the front panels first, then I used the side seam notches to align the striped pattern for the back. I took care so the print continues around his body. 

   Geometric Rainbow Pattern Weights 

I also took special care to match up the print on the pocket so it almost appears camouflaged.

He is nine and loves all things superhero. The idea of bursting out of his shirt for a quick change appealed to him. I opted for plastic snaps instead of buttons and buttonholes.

For my dress I went for a super casual lazy day style. It is the same pattern I used to make my plunging On Safari dress with a few modifications.

I made the sleeves three-quarter length with no elastic casing. I added side-seam pockets and chose a grommet lace-up front with contrast ties for modesty.

As with his shirt, I took special care to align my print so the stripes continue around the body.

I omitted the back zipper because the neckline was wide enough to go over my head. I also added back darts to pull in the fullness a bit while keeping wearable ease. 

We love our new outfits and I am so proud to call this kid mine. 

We love our mommy and me outfits! 

                       

  He gives me much hope for the future.   

         

Happy Sewing,

Bianca

Craving a Day at the Beach

Like most of the world, this pandemic is taking a toll on me. Hubby and I are working from home and both kids are learning virtually. We are doing all we can to stay safe and healthy and will continue to do so until we don't have to any longer. That being said, it is a lot with 24-hour peopling (introverts you hear me?) and few places to retreat and regroup. Before Covid-19, when we wanted a break we would take a quick day trip to a nearby city or drive down to the beach.

Nature's Fabric has a new range of print fabrics and the Abalone bamboo spandex knit immediately caught my eye. The fabric is full of colors, movement and reminded me of oyster shells, lobster bisque and a day at the wharf.

The prints are available in several colorways and I chose the blue.

I wanted to choose a pattern with few pieces so as not to break up the flow of the lovely print. I had Mccalls 7471 in my stash and I went with the cowl neck tunic in  view D.

I was recently gifted some Wonderfil Rayon threads  and used them in the construction of this dress. I don't usually think about threads beyond the matching of the color to my fabric of  choice. I was intentional with this one thinking about how it worked. My overall experience with it can be summarized in a word, smooth. Winding, threading, stitching with it was all smooth and easy. I like the sheen, vibrant color and even stitching in my serger and coverstitch machines.

The fabric drapes beautifully and clings nicely where it is meant to. 

I like the flow of the cowl into the sleeves and the tapering to the narrower skirt.

This was not a straight out the package make for me. I cut my usual size, but it was too wide in the hips. There are defined hip curves that made me look like I was packing a set of hip-shooters. 

Pattern Review Pattern Weights

It was a simple fix to straighten them out reducing them down by about 1/2in. on each side of the skirt.

 

I kept the length as defined by the pattern and like where it falls. 

To combat my cabin fever, I am try to make the most of beautiful days with sunny skies and light breezes outdoors. It is not the total freedom I crave, but it helps. How are you finding ways to stay grounded and seek peace in these difficult times? 

Happy Sewing,

Bianca

Zebra Blush Bliss

 

I know what I like and what I don't like, but I am always open to changing my mind. Animal prints have for years been firmly in the "don't like" category. There is no logic or rationale behind that assessment, just a preference. Recently however, Riley Blake Designs released some new animal print collections that made me radically rethink my thoughts on them. My previous post showcased my new dress using "On Safari" where my new obsession began.

I am really excited to see that Mimi G designed a new fabric collection with Riley Blake Designs. Her fun animal print collection includes knits and rayon challis in fun and unexpected color combinations. 

Of all the options available, I chose the Zebra Blush Rayon with an eye to make a maxi dress using a vintage pattern. 

I decided on Mccalls 4765 which has been in my stash for many years waiting for the perfect fabric. I love the maxi-length, neckline detail and front ties for shaping. I chose to make view A with a modified sleeve from view B.

I loved the original dress design, but found it impractical for my day-to-day life. I decided to switch it up to make it more casual as a front-split tunic. This simple modification only required leaving the front open below the waistline and finishing the raw edges.

I added an elastic casing to the hems of the sleeves instead of the cuffs suggested by the pattern. These felt a bit more relaxed and sweet, perfect for the color and drape of the luscious fabric. 

I love this piece! The fabric makes me happy and the modification to the ordinary pattern feels fun and fresh. 

Is there a fabric, technique, or style you have been reluctant to consider? Do you have a hard and fast rule against it or just a vague preference, like I did? What's it going to take to have you rethink it? I hope you do and love the result like I do!

Happy Sewing,

Bianca

Surprises while "On Safari"

Have you found yourself making a decision that surprises even you? I have a pretty clear sense of what I love and don't love as it relates to my style. I feel like most of what I make is generally in line with my style aesthetic. Until now, animal prints have not featured prominently.

I recently collaborated with Queenora Renee fabrics to produce a line of pattern weights featuring her fabric designs. Her Black Girl Magic Leopard print ignited a newfound passion for animal prints that I had never been drawn to before. I explained my attraction to her fabrics by the afro hairstyles represented in the prints, not the animal theme itself.

Flash forward to the new fabric releases on the horizon for Riley blake, I was  surprisingly drawn to several of their upcoming animal prints. When the "On Safari" fabric arrived my husband opened the package and exclaimed "Whoa!" with my choice of the Brown Leopard. In our 20 years together and 18 years married, he has never seen me wear an animal print. This fabric was totally off script for me, but we were both intrigued.

When I selected this design, I did not have a plan for what I was going to make with this "out of my wheelhouse" fabric choice. Fortunately, I was recently generously gifted some vintage patterns from a friend familiar with my style. Her care package included this fabulous mod mini dress pattern. 

I was drawn to the plunging neckline, the full sleeves and the mini length. The shaping was achieved with front and back darts and has a back zipper. This is a fun little dress was a fairly fast project to make.

I made it as is, with only one adjustment. I removed about two inches of ease on either of the side seams. This adjustment reduced the fullness and allows me to wear the dress without the belt. 

Or wear it with the included belt. 

I liked the look of the tone on tone belt, but wanted the option for a pop of color. I trimmed the tie belt with red piping as a fun contrast. 

Stepping out with animal prints has been loads of fun for me. Choosing a risky fabric can be a bit scary, but when paired with a pattern that suits your style, they can play well together. 

Happy Sewing,

Bianca

What's Old is New Again, Boiler Suit Edition.

I am obsessed with boiler suits lately! I saw the Blanca Flight Suit by Closet Core Patterns and knew I wanted to make a pair. I have an extensive pattern stash and I am trying to be responsible by sewing the patterns that I have. I have several boiler suit patterns, but I chose to make vintage McCalls 5421. I love the princess seams, elastic waist casing and the various sleeve options available with this pattern. I am also a huge fan of wide legs so it was a no-brainer.

                                    

Blue is my favorite color so I chose Dark Blue Organic Cotton from Nature's Fabric  to make my new jumpsuit.     

                            

                  

I wanted to add a bit of pop to the solid fabric. I chose a silvertone zipper with a visible pull and 2 circle rings  to make a belt closure.     

       

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

I modified the sleeve to elbow length with a cuff and tab to which I added a simple 1/2 inch D-ring.

In addition to the princess seams in the front, the shaping of this boiler suit is achieved with a large casing at the waistline in the back.

   

I have had this pattern in my stash for years. I am so glad I finally made it. I am living my best retro jumpsuit life.

Happy Sewing,

Bianca