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.

Hope Woven Dress by StyleArc

 Today's post is an example of how a simple shape can sometimes cause some troubles if you don't happen to fit the original draft. And when it comes to raglan sleeves, I rarely do. When a shape is simple there are no design details to hide or distract from the fit issues.

The Hope Woven Dress from StyleArc is a popular style exactly because of its simplicity. Deep 3/4-length raglan sleeves, a gathered skirt and a facing in the neckline. A fast make and a relaxed and comfortable style.

I want to be clear from the start, this is not one of those 'honest reviews' where there is a problem with the pattern. This is a post to show you how I adjusted part of a pattern to fit my body. It's more normal than not, that we don't fit the standard draft. Or we fit them in some areas and not in others. Especially because standard drafts vary from company to company. I think we are all looking for that company where however our body is, fit their standard as much as possible. I felt I found that with StyleArc but that does not mean I don't have to do adjustments. Certain things we almost always have to do, for me it's usually length (I'm 5'10"/178 cm tall). Or if I'm making non-elastic pants I have to blend sizes between waist and hips because those two areas do not fit into the same size. 

And my small bust and fairly narrow waist often puts me in dress or top/blouse sizes that my tall frame shoulders doesn't fit into. Which, like mentioned earlier, can cause some 'interesting problems' with raglan sleeves. 

So let's get nerdy and talk about how you fix that if you are in the same boat! And even if you are not in the wide shoulder boat, this post might still be useful for you.

Tutorial: Bagging Method for Lining of Sleeveless Dress & Nova Midi Dress by StyleArc.

I've been wanting to write about this subject AND to do this tutorial for a very long time. As you will learn later on, the tutorial is sort of connected to the subject. 

I've been thinking, that even though most of you who are reading my blog are home sewists, you might find it interesting to read about how industrial sewing techniques can have different rankings in the professional fashion industry. All within the industrial sewing techniques. I know some of you who follow me are also interested in learning how to end up with professional looking results when you sew, and this article might be of particular interest to you. 

The tutorial is for using the bagging method when sewing a lined, sleeveless bodice. It can be used with a bodice with or without a zipper. In this case it is without.

The dress in this post is the Nova Midi Dress from StyleArc. There are more photos plus size and fabric info in THIS post from my Instagram account.

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.

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.

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.

Tuuli V-neck Jersey Dress by Named.

I can't tell you how good it feels to finally have sewn this dress. The Tuuli V-neck Jersey Dress by Named. Why you might ask? Well, I've had it printed and taped together forever. Like 6 months or so. And it's been lying on my floor looking at me with a clear question in mind....WHEN are you going to sew ME?

Winter Version of Inari Tee Dress.

I have already declared on Instagram that I have a newfound friendship with the Inari Tee Dress from Named Clothing. That was when I posted a burgundy version.

But I actually made this one before the burgundy and have been saving it for a cold weather blog post.

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.

The Fringe Blouse & Dress by Chalk and Notch Patterns

It's been a loooong time since I officially signed up as a tester of a pattern. I might have been lurking in some tester groups for special friends, functioning as an unpaid consultant. (Actually sometimes I do get paid but more about that later.) But when Gabriela from Chalk and Notch presented her Fringe Blouse & Dress pattern, I literally couldn't wait to get my hands on the pattern and I knew that I definitely wouldn't regret it.

Gabriela knows her pattern drafting and it's always such a pleasure working with her.

The Autumn Dress by Style Arc Patterns

This is the Autumn Dress by Style Arc Patterns.

And yes, I did say dresses in plural. A floral printed woven one where you barely can see any details and an olive green knit one that is a bit more cooperative on photos.   

The Waterfall Raglan Dress by Chalk and Notch.

I didn't exactly plan to post two blue dresses both by Chalk and Notch Patterns in a row but I guess that's what is happening.

Today I'm showing you my first Waterfall Raglan Dress.

Pony Tank Dress by Chalk and Notch

Today I have a photo heavy and text light post for you.

That's usually how it goes when you sew something you love. Not much to say but a lot to show off, right!

This is the Pony Tank Pattern from Chalk and Notch in a dress version.

Keely Knit Top Turned Dress.

This fabric gave me stress. It did that because I couldn't decide what to make with it. I love this print and color SO much and I wanted to make something really really good with it. You know the feeling, right?! I had lots of options but what would be the very best solution?

Modified Cher Knit Dress by Style Arc Patterns.

Today I'm blogging about my experience with the Cher Knit Dress by Style Arc Patterns.

And oh boy was that an experience, ahem.

The Adeline Dress by Style Arc Patterns

So once in a while sewing and blogging can be oh so simple.

You buy the pattern, download, print, tape, add 10 cm in length and cut it out. Find a big enough piece of fabric in your stash that fits the fabric recommendations, cut it out, sew it together, put it on (okay, have a few fittings along the way but in this case no adjustments were needed) and cheer. Because it fits perfectly right off the bat.

The Blaire Shirt and Dress by Style Arc Patterns

I immediately fell in love with the Blaire Shirt and Dress when it released and when it went on sale during Black Friday I actually also bought it, ha,

Burda Style 09/2016#125 Blue and Gold Version.

Hello my friends!

I took photos for two blog posts today and since I have already blogged about this pattern before, I decided that this one was the easiest to start with since I didn't have that much new to add. 

It IS Monday after all!

A Year of Sew Japan with Mie.

A year ago my dear friend Celina asked me if I wanted to be on her Petit a Petit + Family blog team. I could do whatever I wanted. And together we talked about how fun it could be to sew a Japanese pattern (or two) every month during 2016. Sew Japan with Mie was born!

I almost made it though the year but ran out of steam in the last two months. BUT let's focus on the 10 months I did make something instead of the 2 I didn't. Yup, good plan, Batman!

There is not going to be a lot of talk in this post because I have done all of that in the different posts and I'm linking to them all from this post. But I just wanted to make one finishing post here on my own blog that brought it all together. It was definitely fun for me to scroll through it all and I hope you will think so too.

JANUARY

Culottes and a cardigan.

See the full post HERE.

FEBRUARY

Knit dresses.

See the full post HERE.

MARCH

Suspender skirt and a tee with a lace collar.

See the full post HERE.

APRIL

Dress with knit top and woven skirt.

See the full post HERE.

MAY

Woven dress with back tie detail.

See the full post HERE.

JUNE

Oversized shirt.

See the full post HERE.

JULY

Shirt plus culottes with faux wrap skirt detail.

See the full post HERE.

AUGUST

Pinafore with lace overlay.

See the full post HERE.

SEPTEMBER

One top three ways and in three different materials.

See the full post HERE.

OCTOBER 

Fall jacket/cardigan in sweatshirt fleece.

See the full post HERE.

***

Lastly I want to thank all of you who sewed with me month after month and linked up your Japanese goodies in the link parties. The parties are closed now but the links to all your posts can still be seen (and clicked on) in the end of each monthly Sew Japan with Mie post. 

THANK YOU!

I think I'll take a little break with Japanese sewing patterns and instead try to sew a capsule wardrobe with Celina's Project Sew It Facebook group (just search: Project Sew it on Facebook). All you have to do is ask to join. Every month has a theme and in January we are sewing sweaters and cardigans. You can sew for yourself, your kids, your husband and choose whatever pattern you want. Only rule is to have fun! I have already made my first cardigan of 2017 and I'm hoping to get a quick post done this week.  

Who is with me?!