Vali Dress by Pattern Fantastique

 Hello friends, it's time for another blog post which means I have a bit more than normal to say about this pattern. You can call it an extended review.

I have talked before about being cautious to try out new to me pattern designers. I have quite firm ideas about how I like patterns to be drafted (aka correctly, lol) and it greatly ruins my sewing experience when I get my hands on a not up to par sewing pattern. Especially because of my promise to always be honest about the experience. I HAVE to talk about it because my integrity as an honest sewing blogger is something I value greatly. Honestly, what is the point of a review if it only mentions the good things?! 

Now I don't only write honest reviews if there's something wrong with the drafting. It can be smaller things too, and much more personal opinion based. And this post is one of those examples.

The Wilder Gown, Pattern Review

Forever ago, I promised you a review of The Wilder Gown by Friday Pattern Company.

I mentioned I was a bit disappointed over parts of this pattern, and naturally I would like to elaborate. 

The Sapporo Coat by Papercut Patterns, Review.

THIRD EDIT, Oct 31st 2020: Alice from the blog Queen of Darts have used this post to go through the 2.0 version of the pattern. See her conclusions HERE. Thank you Alice!

SECOND EDIT, Dec 17th 2019: Papercut Patterns has released a new and updated version. I don't know exactly what has been changed. But my blog post should be able to help you check your new version without my help. THIS post from Papercut Patterns explains how to get hold of the new version, if you already purchased the old version.

EDIT, Nov 21st 2019: Since posting this review yesterday, Papercut Patterns has pulled the Sapporo Coat for review. Hopefully they will come to the same conclusions as me and fix the pattern. They have left a comment on my Instagram post HERE and said, if they end up updating the pattern, they will replace the patterns to those who already purchased it. 
So far, so good! 
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There's a first time for everything, and today is one of those occasions. I'm posting a review about a pattern I haven't sewn. I did intend to though! But I have limits to how many mistakes I'm going to fix and this pattern way overtakes that number. But the number one reason for deciding not to sew it and still write a review about it, is two sides of the same thing. The thing is, the design of the Sapporo Coat is fabulous. People look fantastic in it, there is no denying that. I most likely would too if I made it. But I don't want to help 'promote'* a pattern that not only has quite a few technical mistakes but also includes a ton of bad sewing practice. 
*here in the sense of putting another good looking Sapporo Coat out in the already brimming pool of mostly good looking Sapporos. I paid for this pattern myself!

Besharl Jacket by Style Arc Patterns

Alert: Monster post ahead.

I don't even know what happened, ha! Actually, I do! Allow me to explain.

This post is both an inspiration post with three different Besharl Jackets (a pattern from StyleArc), a warning to not be as dumb as me, small tips about how to improve fit if needed, and lastly a couple of tutorials on which techniques to use to get a very nice finish on the inside. They will be useful for lots of styles. Not just this one.

Clare Pants by StyleArc

I wanted to make a blog post about these Clare Pants from StyleArc because I figured out some sewing tips along the way that I wanted to share with you. Plus you'll want to read this post before deciding which size to make.

I made a pair in Blackbird Fabrics' 7 oz glorious linen. Black is sold out but there are a ton of other colors.

And then I made another pair in this great striped Essex Linen (linen/cotton blend) from Robert Kaufman, sponsored by Imagine Gnats Shop.

Salida Skirt by True Bias

This is going to be one of those posts. The post where I have critiques about the pattern. I don't like making those but I also don't like not doing it. It might be a personality thing but it eats me up when I see what I consider mistakes. And not because we are not allowed to make accidental mistakes, we all do, my goodness. But when I see something that is not helpful or can cause confusion and which should be there, that eats me up and I just have to talk about it. Because patterns are a big part of many people's learning process. 

Olya Shirt by Paper Theory

In recent times I usually only make a blog post if I have a lot to say or if I have a relevant tutorial I want to post together with the pattern. That might not be the case with the Olya Shirt from Paper Theory. I simply just think that pattern deserves a blog post, ha. It's on my top 10 of favorite things I've ever sewn, maybe even top 5. 

Actually I do have a tutorial I want to post with this pattern but I forgot to take the photos while sewing this shirt (doh!), but luckily I needed the same technique for the next thing I sewed, so I'm going to put it in that post instead and link from this post. You can find the tutorial HERE.

Burnside Bibs Skirt, Sew House Seven and Simplicity.

Okay, so maybe this stripy fabric makes it look like I'm really wearing an apron when seeing it straight on, but honestly I don't mind. I love my stripy Burnside Bibs Skirt or Simplicity 8641, Misses' Jumper Dress as they call it.

Ruri Sweatpants, Named

It's funny how you sometimes just think you are going to make some sweatpants with some fun details and you end up with several muslins and some serious pattern alterations.

Edited: It's also funny how you start on a blog post in the end of March and it's now the last day of August and I just spent 15 minutes finishing this post. Sheesh, get it together woman!

But at least it worked out in the end.

This is a post about the Ruri Sweatpants from Named Clothing.

Ariana Woven Dress, Style Arc Patterns

May I present you the fabulous Ariana Woven Dress from Style Arc.

While I sewed it, I was thinking of all of you, so I actually remembered to snap a photo here and there when there was something I thought would be useful to know, both if you also want to make this dress and/or in general.

I guess you can consider this post a #miessewingtips x 10.

Eden Knit Dress, Style Arc

I don't think anyone would doubt that this dress is right up my alley.

It's knit, it's swingy and it has some interesting lines which of course, duh, calls for color blocking.

This is the Eden Knit Dress from Style Arc.

V Neck Blouson Jacket

I was overwhelmed by the thought of boiling down all the info on this jacket to a few IG posts, so I decided to make a short blog post instead.

This is the V Neck Blouson Jacket 07/2014-101 by BurdaStyle.

Agate Pencil Dress by Named Clothing

I decided to do a blog post about the Agate Pencil Dress from Named Clothing for two reasons. One because I think it's a rather amazing both design and result. But also because I wanted to show you how I modified this pattern to my long upper body and at the same time blended sizes.

BurdaStyle Boyfriend Cardigan 09/2013-111

I know this might sound a bit strange but I totally love to browse through BurdaStyle's giant archive of patterns and try to decipher some of those patterns where the sewn model and /or fabric is not really speaking to me. Basically trying to make lemons into lemonade I guess.

The Kyoto Tee by Papercut Patterns

I promised you a blog post about this pattern, the Kyoto Tee by Papercut Patterns, because I had some concerns/comments. 

And here you are....

Inespiration

In case you've noticed that my posting on social media had gone down a bit lately, you will get the reason today.

Eeeek, surprises are so hard to keep.

Sara has asked a bunch of bloggers to make a tribute sewing blogger day to the one and only Inês from the blog La Folie, and that was one of the easiest blog series I ever agreed to be part of.

Ebony Woven Pants by Style Arc Patterns

Here is my post about the Ebony Woven Pants from Style Arc Patterns.

This is part two of my Inespiration post and you can see Part one HERE.

I changed to my Keely Knit Top so you can see the fantastic details on these pants better.

BurdaStyle Overall Skirt 07/2016#109 and Paola Turtleneck Tee.

I'm stuck between being really eager to share this outfit with you and not feeling like writing any blog posts at the moment. Talk about first world problems, ha.

Oversized Sweatshirts and Knit Pencil Skirts

I feel like my sewing is rather random most of the time. If I have a plan it usually gets overtaken by something else that catches my attention. Or if I buy fabric with the intention for a specific pattern, I would say three out of four times it ends up as something else.

Not this time.....

Fringe Blouse & Dress, Rayon Version

Harts Fabric was one of the handful of fabric stores that where so kind to offer us testers of the Fringe Blouse & Dress from Chalk and Notch a discount code.

And guess what? Some of those shops (and they are all amazing) are offering YOU discount codes too! I'll have a link to them at the end of this post. I know, I know, I'm mean and I want you to read my post first before you go fabric shopping, ha. But at least I'm admitting it!

If you missed my original post about the Fringe Blouse & Dress, where I'm talking more about the actual pattern, then see HERE.