Month: March 2023

  • Pattern Review of the Willow Wrap Dress with how to add pockets

    Pattern: Willow Wrap Dress
    Designer: Love Notions
    Fabrics: Cotton Lycra from Clover & Co. Fabrics
    Skill level: Confident Beginner
    Measurements: Bust: 45″; Waist 39.5″; Hips 47.5″
    Size made: XL graded to 2XL at waist
    Adjustments: Shortened to Empire waistline
    Pros: Gorgeous pattern for showing off your bustline
    Cons: No pockets, but watch my tutorial on how to add them!

    The Wrap Up

    I love this pattern so much I have made 3 of them!

    I am a huge fan of the Love Notions Willow wrap, it is such a flattering pattern with a variety of options. You can choose from dress or peplum length, and to be honest, you can also cut between the peplum and dress lengths to create a tunic length as well if you wanted. There are also 5 different sleeve options, 2 neckline heights and it is great for Maternity and Nursing.

    I would note that with the flutter sleeve option I think it is better suited for lighter, drapier fabrics as when I used the 220gsm Cotton Lycra it was just a bit too ‘stiff’. I didn’t think it sat as nicely as when I made it from a double brushed poly.

    I also prefer an Empire Waistline to a Natural Waistline, so I used the tutorial I made for the Margot Peplum, also from Love Notions, to shorten my bodice to Empire.

    This is the Feature Friday pattern for Love Notions, Friday 31st March, 2023 which means here in Australia it will be on sale for $5USD (approx. $7.50 AUD) till around 3pm Saturday 1st April.

    Use code MEGAN10 for an extra 10% off at the checkout!

    I also think every dress should have pockets, so make sure you check out my video review below which includes a tutorial on how to add pockets to any dress! Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel while you’re there so you don’t miss any future reviews and tutorials.

    Pattern Review and How to add pockets to your Willow Wrap Dress

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  • Pattern Review of the Adult Discoverer Tee

    Pattern: Adult Discoverer Tee
    Designer: Ellie & Mac
    Fabrics: Cotton Lycra from Rubyjam Fabrics
    Skill level: Beginner
    Measurements: Bust: 45″; Waist 40″; Hips 46″
    Size made: XXL
    Adjustments: None
    Pros: Love the colour blocking on this and how it allows you to mix and match coordinating fabrics.
    Cons: None

    The Wrap Up

    I had a lot of fun sewing this one up.

    My Brother in Law’s partner has a bit of a thing for avocado’s so as soon as I saw this fabric I knew that I wanted to make it into something for her. 

    The discoverer tee seemed perfect as I was able to colour block with a solid to break up the ‘strong’ hero print. It’s also quite a flattering fit for larger busted women (as my sis in law is) as the colour blocking hits above the bust.

    If you like a simple, easy sew with colour blocked options, this is a great pattern. I have also written a tutorial on how to add knit piping across the colour blocked section which I’ll link here. I did it for a the kids version but it’s the same principle for the adult version.

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  • Pattern Review of the Margot Peplum

    Pattern: Margot Peplum
    Designer: Love Notions
    Fabrics: Cotton Lycra from Sew Unique Fabrics
    Skill level: Beginner
    Measurements: Chest: 44″; Waist 40″; Hips 47″
    Size made: XL/2XL
    Adjustments: Grading and shortening bodice to Empire waistline
    Pros: I love princess seams on my shape and the option of skirts is a bonus. Also has full bust adjusted pieces already.
    Cons: Not a fan of it sitting on my natural waist but I shortened to Empire waist. See my YouTube review for instructions.

    The Wrap Up

    I hadn’t made this one before but it’s been on my list to try for a while. 

    I had originally planned to try the pleated skirt but I didn’t have enough fabric so I ended up going for the swing style. I love the result but think I will try the pleated next time, some of the tester photos were so pretty.

    I also shortened the bodice to be more Empire style as I find that suits my shape much better. I am so happy with the final look now and absolutely LOVE how this sits on my body now.

    I made mine from a cotton lycra but I think this would look really nice in a scuba or ponte as well so I would be keen to try that next time as well.

    Love Notions is one of my fave for pre done full bust adjusted pieces as well. It makes it so much easier for bigger busted women to be able to just use the already adjusted pieces. 

    Excited to be wearing this one around!

    PS. use code sewandtellau10 for an EXTRA 10% off at the checkout.

    Video Review

    Watch my detailed review of the Margot Peplum on YouTube. Includes bonus tutorial on how to shorten a Natural Waistline to an Empire Waistline.

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  • Pattern Review of the Sicily Swing Dress/Top

    Pattern: Sicily Swing Dress/Top
    Designer: Peek A Boo Pattern Shop
    Fabrics: Bamboo Lycra from Clover & Co. Fabrics
    Skill level: Beginner
    Measurements: Chest: 45″; Waist 40″; Hips 47″
    Size made: 2XL graded to 3XL
    Adjustments: Just the grading
    Pros: SUPER comfy and easy to wear. Also has nursing option
    Cons: Needs updated sizing

    The Wrap Up:

    I think this was one of the first patterns I ever tried of Peek a Boo as it had the nursing option and I loved it straight away.

    The fit and flare style really suits me and I love that their are a couple of different neckline options. Especially over the fringe months, I really enjoy a cowl neck for that little bit of added warmth, without having to carry a scarf around. 

    Like I mentioned as well, this has the option of nursing which is so nice to see. When I was feeding my son I had such limited choices in Ready to Wear clothing and it was kind of what sparked me to really give clothes for myself another go, so to be able to make stylish feeding friendly tops was amazing!

    The fabric I made my latest from is a pre order I did with Clover and Co in Bamboo Lycra. I like that this fabric design and pattern can be paired well with both leggings and jeans, making it easy to dress up or down. Put a little crop jacket it with it and a pair of heels if you’re going out, or straight cut jeans and a pair of white sneakers and you’re day ready.

    I 1000000% will be getting more of Clover’s bamboo lycra as well. It is DIVINE!!! SO soft and drapey to wear. I want all the bamboo lycra now.

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  • Pattern Review of the Endless Summer Tee

    Pattern: Endless Summer Tee
    Designer: Pattern Emporium
    Fabrics: Cotton Lycra from Wattle Hill Fabrics
    Skill level: Beginner
    Measurements: Chest: 44″; Waist 40″; Hips 47″
    Size made: 20/22
    Adjustments: Grading and I ended up taking it in under the arms another 1″ on both sides.
    Pros: I love the neckline on this and feminine flutters.
    Cons: The sizing hasn’t been updated on this pattern yet so its only to a 24 (US20). 

    The Wrap Up

    I am a big fan of scoop neck patterns and this one was no exception. However, there are also 4 other necklines to choose from which is something I love when patterns include different necklines. I also instantly knew I wanted to put the flutters on. I love how feminine they are and just add an extra detail that draws the eye up, which for me I like cause it takes away from my tummy! haha.

    I used a super soft Cotton Elastane from Wattle Hill Fabrics in an olive with small black dots, which paired perfectly with the Olive Faux Denim Cotton Elastane I used for my Sonia Estep Iris shorts. I have previously written about the Iris Shorts which I will link here. The fabric was a dream to sew with and I love wearing it as its so soft and light on my skin.

    You can leave the flutters unhemmed as its a knit so won’t fray, but I chose to do a rolled hem on mine. I used the rolled hem feature on my Baby Lock Acclaim Overlocker/Serger and it did the most BEAUTIFUL rolled hem I think I’ve ever seen. I see lots more rolled hems in my future. Not to mention more Endless Summer Tee’s!

    Definitely a quick and easy one to sew up and recommend giving it a go.

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  • February – 52 Week Sewing Challenge Monthly Review

    Week 6 Aussie Pattern

    Well, another month completed in the 2023 Australian 52 Week Sewing Challenge! Only just scraped in for this month and nearly had to submit a reject for pleat week, but then I managed to get a Vivace Dolman sewn with the front pleat so I was able to use that. Phew!

    Lets take a look at each of the weeks.

    Week 6: Aussie Pattern

    I chose to use a Pattern Emporium one for the Aussie Pattern. Kate is up in Qld and is an incredible pattern maker. I have made a few of hers and am about to test a new one for her as well. Highly recommend!

    I made the Best Friends Tee in tank with square neckline. I used the last of my Sprinkle fabric to match with the kids set I made from Rubyjam Fabrics.

    Week 7: Pleats

    I was a little stumped by this one to start with and was going to enter a reject. Then I decided to make a Vivace Dolman from Love Notions and was stoked it had the front pleat to get me over the line for Pleat week!

    I have written a full pattern review on the Vivace Dolman which I’ll link here.

    I used a beautiful cotton elastane from Wattle Hill Fabrics and I can’t wait to wear this one A LOT more.

    Week 8: Autumn

    Another Love Notions sew for this week and one that I was absolutely stoked with how it turned out.

    This is the Whistler pullover and hoodie. I chose to make the shawl collar option and I made tunic length and gathered front. The full review is here and there is also a YouTube Pattern Review here.

    Fabric from Lush Fabrics Australia.

    Week 9: Kids & Pets

    A bit of an easy one for week 9. I’ve got 2 gorgeous kiddos I constantly sew for! 

    The kids love matchy match pjs and this was a great way to match but still make them personlalised to each child. Ted will often refuse to even get changed out of his ice cream pjs so they become daywear as well haha. I’m not even mad.

    The tops are the kids Essential Tee from Peek A Boo Patterns and the shorts are the Jordan Joggers.

    Fabric from Rubjam.

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  • Pattern Review of the Vivace Dolman

    Pattern: Vivace Dolman
    Designer: Love Notions
    Fabrics: Cotton Lycra from Wattle Hill Fabrics
    Skill level: Confident Beginner
    Size made: XL/2XL
    Adjustments: Just the grading
    Pros: This is a very flattering top and can be made from both Knits and Wovens.
    Cons: I had to unpick the pleat about 4 times cause I didn’t read the pattern right. I also didn’t get the corners right on the collar.

    The Wrap up

    First time making this one and I love the way it fits and flatters the body.

    I chose to make the tunic length but probably could have done the shirt version quite comfortably as well. I feel like it flatters my body really well and goes well with leggings and I think it would look equally as good with jeans.

    I didn’t read the instructions properly at the start so I had to unpick the pleat 4 times, doh. I also had some troubles getting the collar to sit properly with the corner, but I took it slow and eventually got it looking nice. My advice is to take it slow and baste it in first! Don’t forget to interface the collar as well, I think this is a big reason it sits nicely.

    I definitely recommend making this one, I’ve already had requests from my family to make some for them.

    Use code: sewandtell10 for an extra 10% off

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