The Five Points Blouse

Favorite and most worn make as of late: the Five Points Blouse. 

This pattern is from the Feb/March issue of Sew News and is free through March! 

It was designed by the talented Jennifer from Peppermint Creek. 

I love the shoulder and cuff detail. Instead of using a contrasting color for the shoulder yolk piece, I used the wrong side of my fabric. It created a subtle contrast against the crepe texture of the rest of the bodice.

The front zipper is a fun detail. The pattern comes with the option to have no zipper as well. I used a metal zipper with gold teeth and black tape. I love how it adds a little more visual interest to simple fabric, just like the contrasting yolk and cuff.

Yolk and cuff details

The only modification I made was raising the neckline at the front bodice shoulder seam. I should have made the adjustment to the pattern at the beginning, but I didn't know I needed it until the garment was almost finished. I didn't want to take anything from the yolk piece or the cuff, so I took an inch and a half from the neck edge and tapered to nothing at the sleeve cuff. It is much more comfortable for me to have the neckline higher. 

The magazine gives a useful tip to be careful about the weight of your zipper. My zipper was probably too heavy, which caused my gaping neckline issue. 

The hem is a high-low, which is my favorite shape on my body. I have a very long torso, so I do everything I can to make my legs look longer, like high waisted jeans and tucking in my shirts in the front. 

For date night, I wore the Five Points Blouse with the Fulton Sweater Blazer by Alina Design Co., another one of my favorite me-made pieces.

Zipper and notched collar details

I love the silhouette of this top and I am so happy with the outcome. For my next one, I will probably size up because it is meant to have a looser fit.

Persephone Pants

My favorite (and most worn) make of the summer has been my Persephone Pants. I've worn them multiple times a week since I finished them.

I was debating between a few different patterns for a while. I wanted to make some cropped high waisted wide leg pants and I knew I wanted them in a cream/natural denim. 

I decided on the Persephone Pants by Anna Allen Clothing because they are so similar to the coveted Kamm Sailor pants:

KAMMPANTS

There are a lot of details about the Persephone Pants that I loved, such as the hidden button placket, the practically invisible front pockets, and no side seams.

The instructions were very easy to follow and it all came together very smoothly. I was lucky, in that I didn't need to make any fit adjustments to the waist or hips. 

Right after I finished them!

So happy with the buttons I used from my button stash

A few weeks after making the pants, I had the idea to check and see if I had enough fabric to make the shorts version. I did! I was able to whip up some Persephone Shorts with the leftover fabric. 

My handmade swimsuit and my handmade shorts

I went to the LA fabric district and found the perfect denim in a few different stores. My deciding factor was the price. I was able to get enough fabric for pants and shorts (3 or 4 yards, I can't remember) for $12. The cost of the pattern was $14, so total, I made a $13 pair of pants and a $13 pair of shorts. Not bad at all!
I get asked frequently if it is cost effective to make my own clothes. This is an example of how it can be very cost effective. I am lucky to be close to a major fabric district and, the more I sew, the more my skills develop! 

Asymmetrical Rayon Skirt

When I came across this pattern:

McCall's Pattern 7725

I fell in love! I needed it, and I had the perfect fabric for it. 

I used a black floral rayon fabric from Joann Fabrics. The drape is so beautiful and it gives the skirt the perfect sophistication I was hoping to achieve. 

DRAMATIC asymmetrical hem

Another one of my Me Made May makes. 

I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to hem this skirt, even though it is a curved hem.

I also really loved the side closure. I used an invisible zipper and a button.

Button because
a.) I love sewing them on with my sewing machine and
b.) didn't have skirt hooks and eyes. 

One of my goals recently has been to become more efficient with making a project, specifically with following a pattern. I've gotten so used to making my own patterns, that I sometimes struggle with store-bought patterns. I want to get better at reading and following patterns.

I've had many chances to wear this skirt over the last month:

Wore it to the beach over Memorial Day weekend!

Wore it casually running errands

Dressed it up and wore it to church!

I claim this about most things I've made recently, but this might be my favorite item I've ever made! 

My mom has also requested I make her one, and I think this skirt in a pink rayon would be so cute! 

Me Made May 2018

I survived my first Me Made May! 

I thought it would be a breeze because 99% of what I make is for myself. 

I quickly realized, however, that I only had about 15 items that would work. Some of my me-made items only work in the fall and winter due to material or color. I was much more limited than I thought, so first thing I did the night before May 1st was make a new top. 

Here are the photos I got each day of my me-made items, from the 1st to the 31st: 

I had a lot of repeats, and five of the items were made during the month of May. 

My goal for the month was to wear one me-made item each day.

Im really glad I followed through with it because it pushed me to get creative some days and it motivated me to make more.

I've come away from this experience with a new goal (one I've never considered before): I want to have a 100% handmade wardrobe someday soon.

Indian Pillow

I have recently started posting pictures of my makes on instagram. 

I posted about this pillowcase a few weeks ago.

We recently moved and as we have been getting settled, I've been in the mood for a change. I have had the same white and grey pillows (which I love!) in our living room for three years, but I wanted to bring in some more color. 

I searched through my fabric stash and came across this green printed fabric that my mom got me as a souvenir in India. (Searching for fabric as a souvenir when traveling?! Genius!) It is such a pretty color and definitely adds more interest to the room. 

This pillowcase was so easy to make. I measured the square pillow and cut out a piece of fabric that size, adding extra for seam allowance. 

For the back, I created an envelope opening (so easy). I cut two pieces for the back that overlapped a few inches at the closure. 

Envelope closure in the back

Blanket from Havlu

Bell Sleeve Blouse

I was so excited to use this fabric. It is the softest rayon challis fabric that I have never worked with before. I usually stick with solids (in purchased clothing and handmade clothing) so this pattern is a little funky for me, but I love the colors and I'm excited to have something different.

I was inspired by a handmade top I saw another seamstress wearing one night out. My sister in law suggested we get the same pattern and make it for ourselves, but my wheels were already turning thinking about what the pattern would look like! 

The next day I drafted a pattern.

My pattern resulted in a bodice that was way too short. I had to improvise and add a strip at the bottom for length. Luckily, it is hardly noticeable with the business of the print. 

The hem, sleeves, and neckline all have wide facings.

If I remake this top, which I certainly will, I would add more fullness to the sleeves and add an inch or two in length to the bodice. I would probably shorten the sleeves by one or two inches as well.

Other than that, I'm so happy with the outcome! 

The shape if the sleeve is so perfect for the drape of this fabric. It flows so perfectly. Plus, the loosens makes it so comfortable and easy to move in.

Photos by hello.littlefish

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