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The New Dover Jacket

2/3/2019

The Dover Jacket just got an update! Yep, that's right, it's new and improved and ready to add to your wardrobe. Here are the new features:

-Extended sizing (sizes 4-18)
-Two piece easy to sew sleeves
-Longer 3/4 sleeve
-Two lengths including a car coat length
-Pockets

If you're an advanced beginner and you've never made a coat or jacket, this would be the perfect pattern for you. It's an easy and quick sew that's a quick wardrobe builder.

If you have already purchased the Dover Jacket and you'd like a copy of the updated version, please email me using the "Email Me" box and I will gladly send it to you.

Happy Sewing!
Diane

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Flower Power - McCall's 7254

5/1/2018

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McCall's 7254 has been in my stash for quite a while and for the life of me I can't figure out why I waited so long to make it. I purchased this super soft French terry from LA Finch fabrics with the idea that I would make a hoodie, but when it came it was a little too soft and lightweight to hold a zipper and this pattern came to mind. It took a few minutes but I dug around my pattern stash until I found it.

If you've never made a jacket before then this pattern is for you for a couple of reasons: it's designed for knits so setting in the sleeve is really easy, the collar and peplum are sewn in one circular seam (what could be easier?) and it's quick! It was start to finish sewing in about 2 hours! If you're new to knits, a ponte knit would be a great (nice and stable) and would be a great weight for the style.

Of course I picked a windy day to take these pics but what do you do? I did end up making a hoodie and I'll be blogging about that soon!

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Valentine's Day Sale - I Wanna Be Your Valentine

2/13/2018

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I wanna be your Valentine this year so I'm offering all PDF patterns in the store at 2 for $14 with coupon code BEMINE. It's only one day!!!! Offer ends 2/14/18 at midnight PST! Enjoy!

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Ally Skirt - Hop on the "Inspiration Train"

1/25/2018

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I'm still riding the "it's the new year and I have so many things I want to make" inspiration train so I thought I'd share not only my new Ally Skirt but also some inspiration. This skirt is made from a brick red denim from Fabric.com by Art Gallery Fabrics (did I know they made colored denim?) and brass snaps.

The Ally Skirt pattern is an easy and quick pattern to play with. It comes with 2 pocket options (flap and side seam) but it'd be really easy to add a patch pocket with ruffles (like the aqua cord skirt above) or an oversized pocket with flaps. I love the idea of adding contrast either by a solid placket on a print skirt or adding a leather border to denim (bottom left) like the $698 Stella McCartney version. Seriously, why not copy the good stuff and save yourself a few hundred dollars!

Here, I added a decorative machine stitch to the pocket. And in this version you can see the decorative stitches I added along the seams.

Be sure to check out my "Sassy Skirts" board on Pinterest for more. So much inspiration....not enough time, right?

What are you making?

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New Pattern Release: Say "Hello" to The Coffeehouse Pant!

1/5/2018

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I’m very excited to start the new year with a new pattern! Say "Hello" to the Coffeehouse Pant! It’s an easy to wear and even easier to sew ankle length pant with front notch pockets and an elastic waist. It's available today and is on a NEW RELEASE SALE for 20% off here on the website and at Upcraft Club until January 14th!

Let me introduce you...

Designed for the beginner (a sewist with a couple of projects under the sewing belt but ready to make a first pair of pants) but also a great wardrobe builder for those looking for a "quick sew".
Versatile style that can be casual or dressed up with a jacket for work.
NEW EXTENDED SIZING: Sizes 4-18 (because you all wanted a broader size range!)
Friendly and fully illustrated instructions have stitching lines printed in RED.
US and Imperial measurements.
Copy Shop File for large format printing is included.
$10.00 USD (but on sale for $8.00 now through January 14th).

The Coffeehouse Pant sews up nicely in light to medium weight fabrics ideally with some drape. Linen, challis, crepe and chambray would all be good choices. Look at the darling pants Kyla from LifebyKy made out of a soft suiting.

Grab a copy at 20% off at Upcraft Club and on the BDP website through January 11th! Don't forget to tag all your makes #Coffeehousepant and #Bluedotpatterns. Enjoy!

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The Rosie Top - Style Arc

12/12/2017

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Usually I like to keep my "fabric hauls" to 2 or 3 pieces of fabric because I get overwhelmed and ultimately something gets added to the stash cabinet and doesn't see the light of day. Well, I'm proud to say this didn't happen with my last haul from The Fabric Store in LA. I sewed everything up! Here's a beloved top made from a delightful rosebud silk crepe de chine. I eyed it when I first walked in and although they only had 1 1/4 yards left (apparently others liked it too) I brought it home anyway.

StyleArc's Rosie Top was already on my sewing list and what are the chances it would not only fit on 1 1/4 yards of rosebud fabric but also be called "Rosie"? It was meant to be. It's a simple peplum top that skims the body and has a darling pleat in the back. It sewed up in under 2 hours and honestly the teeny tiny hem (I'm quite proud of it) was the longest step. I've worn it with jeans, black pants and a straight skirt. It's versatile and comfortable and a peplum style without looking too fussy.

I've stitched up everything in this stack but haven't photographed it all. Unfortunately the light pink Liberty fleece on the bottom never made it back from our trip to New York. I'm not sure if it was left in the hotel room by accident or someone decided they needed it more than I did. Either way, hopefully it found a good home.

An exciting note....there's a new pattern on the way! It'll be ready for your New Year sewing list. More details coming soon!

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Black Friday Pattern Sale - 25% off!

11/22/2017

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The kitchen is clean the family is gone...it's time to sew! Bring in the holidays by sewing something new for you or someone you love. All patterns are 25% off through Monday November 27th. Use the code: THANKFUL
Enjoy!

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New Pattern Release Coming Soon!!!

11/16/2017

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We have a new pattern on the way! It's a fun to wear and easy to sew project suitable for all sewists. Check back here in just a couple of days!

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The Liberty Bronte Top - Where are my Dittos?

11/16/2017

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I'm channeling my inner 70's with this new addition to my closet. This is my Bronte Top by designer Jennifer Lauren Handmade and she got it on the mark with this pattern! It's fun, cute, EASY and retro 70's. I only wish I had a pair of my old Dittos to wear it with.

Jennifer Lauren is a fellow designer at Upcraft Club and Indiesew and her designs have a vintage and feminine vibe but are also very wearable. This is my first one and I am completely impressed! I used a Liberty knit I picked up from The Fabric Store in LA and used vintage buttons from my stash. If you're afraid to make a t-shirt, I would encourage you to try this one. The neckband is super easy (even though it looks hard) and the sleeve went right in. You can do this!

I plan on making another one soon but I've used every knit in my stash. Are you proud of me? With a pat on the back I'm headed out to the fabric store. More makes to come soon!

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Mom Got it Right Jacket - McCall's 6044 and McCall's 7447

11/7/2017

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There's nothing better than when you sew and gift and you know they like it and it fits! But when it's for your teenage son it's even better. That's what we have here...Mom got it right on this one.

Our son is very easy to please but he also doesn't like to have a lot of "things". This is a wonderful trait (I wish I was more like this) but it does make giving him a gift a little bit tricky. Our family went to NYC for my husband's show a couple of weeks ago and I was so excited we were going to have everyone in the family together I decided to make something new for everyone in the crew.

My original plan was to make my son a flannel shirt so I cut out McCall's 6044 (my go to men's shirt pattern) but as I started constructing it, I realized he has a flannel hoodie in his closet that gets tons of wear and honestly could use a little break. So I made the body of the shirt using 6044 and I made the sleeves and hood from McCall's 7447 out of sweatshirting. The patterns were perfectly interchangeable (the sleeve popped right in and the hood was the exact length of the neckline). The only changes I made were lining the hood and adding twill tape to the neckline. This was a fast shirt. It's amazing how much faster a hood is from a collar and a knit sleeve is from a cuffed sleeve with a placket. Win, win here!

This post isn't picture heavy but I'm not complaining since he was okay with me at least taking a photo and posting it.

It was a dream trip with the family in NYC and the best part was seeing my husband's paintings up and on the wall in a beautiful space. Love!