Sew What Do I Wear? Vacation Edition

I have not been posting here on the regular, but that doesn't mean I've not been sewing! (For more regular updates on my makes, be sure to follow me on IG: @vinyasew)

BUT I have been pretty busy getting ready for my vacation. I'm actually on vacation as we speak, so the theme of this photo shoot is "Day before vacation and need to pack realness." So these pics are not my best, but I had a lot of fun sewing up the clothes! 

All of the patterns are from Patterns for Pirates. They're perfect for fast and cute summer garments...and I can't WAIT for the new swimsuit patterns to be released! Be sure to check out all the other fabulous vacation makes on this blog tour too.

First up is the Essential Tank. I bought this pattern when it came out last year and who knows why it took me so long to make one? To make up for it, I promptly sewed three. During Me Made May I was able to ID some holes in my handmade wardrobe: tanks and shorts/skirts. 

What I love most about this tank is the curves. I graded from a medium at the shoulders, large through bust and waist, and extra large for the hips. These are all racerbacks. 

The first one is paired with RTW jean shorts. The pink and tan tribal fabric is a cotton jersey from Urban Rag Trader. The blue is a floaty rayon spandex from LDG Textiles. The shorts are RTW, but you could use the Made for Mermaids Lucy pattern to recreate them! The third one is a cotton/poly jersey also from LDG Textiles. 

I also made some pencil skirts. 

The first one is paired with a Cross My Heart cami. I can't wait to make up a bunch of those after vacation! The cotton spandex for the cami is from Raspberry Creek Fabrics and the skirt is also cotton spandex from LDG. The second one is with my Essential tank and is made from a black denim-look knit from Cali Fabrics. I really love the high waist option on these skirts, although I did make the black one a little too tight. Oops!

And last I wanted to share my culottes. I LOVE how these turned out!

So my original idea for my vacation outfit was to do a romper hack of the Made for Mermaids Mama Sommer top with the Pirates Palazzo shorts. It kind of worked great. The idea I think was awesome but execution was lacking. HOWEVER the shorts turned out great, so I'll be cutting those off the romper--they were in that same light blue tie dye as my tank above.

This rayon spandex is from the Nicole Miller line at Joann. I got it last year and made a Boundless dress and have been hoarding the last bit. It's not super lightweight which makes it perfect for these shorts. 

Here's how I made the shorts. Using the Patterns for Pirates Palazzo pants pattern (there's a tongue twister for ya!) I sized up. I measure as a L-XL, and I cut out the largest size available, 4XL. I also raised the front and back rise 2 inches. (This was my mistake for the romper--it should have been more like 4 or 5 inches to meet the bodice). I also dropped the crotch a little bit, but I don't think that's super necessary. And then I just flared the leg out a little bit to make them more swingy. I gathered the waist with clear elastic and added a waistband. Done!

I think these shorts will be perfect for wearing to the beach over my swimsuit. And with that super lightweight tie dye rayon spandex, they'll make super PJ shorties. I've been wanting knit culottes for a long time. Perfect for summer!

Sew What Do I Wear? Valentine's Outfit two ways

When I first saw this fabric, this gorgeous rayon from Cotton+Steel/Rifle Paper Co., I just about had a spasm. I know you fellow fabric addicts know that feeling I'm talking about. It's an adrenaline rush when you see the perfect fabric. You may or may not already have a pattern in mind, but it doesn't even matter.

Around the same time, Made for Mermaids released their Mama Daphne pattern. It was not something that I would normally wear, but I was intrigued by it. It kind of reminded me of a uniform for a waitress at a Mexican restaurant, and I kind of liked it. So I bought the pattern last summer, but this is the first time I actually made it up.

So my inspiration for this was a Mexican restaurant--you know those bright floral oilcloth table coverings? Along with the ruffle, I thought the fabric and pattern combo worked great.

I originally wanted to make it with long sleeves because Valentine's Day is in February, but being in Texas, it didn't really matter that much anyway! I also went for the top instead of a dress because I didn't want the vibe to be too strong. I really love how it turned out.

Valentine's Day is not a big thing for me, but making pretty things definitely is. I think this top is perfect for the occasion. The front and back bodice are cut the same, and there's not a lot of definition, so I personally prefer to wear it tucked in as with this pencil skirt.

If you were wondering, yes, the skirt is store-bought. And yes, I most certainly did zip my blouse into it.

Since I have narrow shoulders and am short in the upper chest, I decided to size down for the top and grade out at the waist and hips. I also took out a tiny bit of length right at the bust line. On the ruffle, I folded the top edge down a little extra when making the elastic casing and topstitched to give it a little bit more of a finished edge. I think it's a nice touch.

Now, since we don't have any local babysitters, this outfit is probably just not going to get worn. Jeans are more my speed! So I thought I'd show you a casual pic or two as well. Daphne can also be worn with the ruffle on top of the shoulders like sleeves.

 

I was apprehensive about stepping outside of my comfort zone with this pattern, but I'm glad I did. I will even make another! I really like the flutter sleeves, so will try that one next. This was one of my choices for #makenine2017, so I'm pretty pleased to have at least 1/9 crossed off my list.

The hardest part of this pattern was deciding which view to make! And I made my own bias tape for the first time. It wasn't difficult but did take some time. 

There are some pretty stunning makes on this blog tour. From floor-length velvet to heart elbow patches, everyone looks awesome. Be sure to check out the other bloggers!

Jan 30 - The Do It Better Yourself Club/ Wild & Wanderful/ SewSophieLynn/ Vinyasew

Jan 31 - Argyle and Pearls / Ma Moose / Red Stitch Blue Stitch/ All sewn up by Stacey

Feb 1 - All Things Katy! / Sew and Tell Project / Sew A Piece of Joy / The Kisses Co

Feb 2 - It's Liesel / Sewingly, Michelle / Stitching and Making/ Rebel & Malice

Feb 3 - On Wednesdays We Sew/ The Crunchy Mommy/ Margarita on the Ross/ Four Seasons and a Road Trip



Do you "do" Valentine's Day?

Updated Lane Raglan testing

I have been sewing for almost two years now, but I've only recently discovered sewing groups on Facebook. Many indie designers have groups so that sewists can come together and show off their creations and ask questions. It's been really helpful and inspiring!

One group that I recently joined was the Hey June group. All of Adrianna's patterns are ridiculously popular. She even scored 3 spots on Indiesew's list of 10 most popular patterns in 2015! My first HJ make was the über popular Lane Raglan.

I used a double knit rayon/spandex that I picked up at Joann. I'd bought it because I needed some basic white for a neckline binding, but of course I got more than necessary so I could try something else with it! The fabric is so nice and cozy. It's the perfect comfy weight that's right between a sweatshirt and t-shirt.

Here are the stats for Lane #1
Original pattern
Size: small graded to medium in the hips
Long sleeve with bands
Banded hem



As I said, I am really pleased with how it feels. The one issue I had was some extra bagginess near the armpit. It wasn't exactly in the arm crease, but right on top. It seems like others have had the same issue, and luckily I was given the opportunity to test the new updates to the pattern!

Lane #2 was made with a very lightweight knit from Girl Charlee. It wasn't the easiest to work with, particularly the neckband. It kept rolling up, so I ended up cutting a new one and made it slightly thicker. I also starched the heck out of it! The fit was much better. The bagginess on top of the bust had disappeared, and the overall shape was curvier. I think I had some issues serging this one, and may have used a wider seam allowance than calls for because I was sewing really late at night!

There were still some changes to be made to the pattern, however, including slimming down the sleeve.

Lane #3 is the final version of the pattern and the photo at the top of this post. It turned out to a really comfy shirt. It turned out a little different than I expected, but I think that's because I chose a heavier French terry for the body. It is the prettiest olivey/pea green (it was listed as 'Green Tea'), and the loops on the back are really big and soft. I got the last yard of it and have been saving it for just the right project! The sleeves are cotton/Lycra and have this cute holey, pseudo-eyelet texture. Not really sure the formal name of such a thing. Both fabrics were from Urban Rag Trader on Etsy.

What I like about this updated pattern:

• The sleeves are slimmer 
• Top is more fitted
• The body skims and is not clingy or too big 
• The extra fabric from on top of the bust area is gone 
• Option for curved or banded hem
• Options for elbow-length, ¾ or long sleeves
• For those needing to make a FBA, there is a separate front piece just for you!

Details for Lane #3
Updated pattern
Size medium graded to large at the hip
¾ length sleeves with serged hem
Curved hem, serged

For comparison's sake, here are some side-by-side shots:





Each of these shirts fits a little differently, but I like them all! It is a really easy project, and is quick to make. I have loved using my serger for knits! I definitely recommend this pattern for anyone, including beginners, because it is simple and there are so many possibilities to change it up. I'd love to make a hoodie version and one with short sleeves. You can read more about the updated version on the Hey June blog. 

If you've already bought the Lane, you can get the updated version by checking into your account--it should be there! If you have not bought it yet, what's keeping you? 

Buy the Lane raglan here. Bonus: it's on sale until 2/29/16, no coupon necessary!