Zenith & Quasar Mossy Stones

Zenith & Quasar has a Nature Round currently at preorder. I just had to have the Mossy Stones print. It looked so cool and I thought it would make a great jacket. Unfortunately the sample did not print exactly the way it was supposed to and had some faint lines running through it. Even though it wasn't terribly noticeable, it would have bugged me on something I would wear frequently, so I decided to make some workout clothes!

And it was a major FAIL! I look like I'm wearing some funky garden camo. I now know to never wear both my 5 out of 4 Resolution Tank and my Sinclair Patterns Penny Leggings together, unless I want to hide  in the arboretum.

But let me tell you about this Resolution Tank. This was my first time making it. I've been needing some new tanks for working out in or even just going for a walk around the lake. I find that my cotton lycra tanks get so uncomfortable in the heat. They hold onto my sweat and I just feel icky by the time I am done. The athletic brushed poly is so soft yet it wicks away moisture quickly and dries fast.

The Resolution Tank has a contrast option that has a wider back and narrower front. I love the look. The racerback is nice and open. I definitely need to make more of these.

I love the Penny Classic Leggings. These are hands down my favorite plain jane leggings. The fit is spot on - thank you petite sizing. and The high contoured waistband keeps my tummy controlled.

 I love the ABP for leggings. I will definitely get a lot of wear out of these this fall.

After my wardrobe fiasco, I decided to try my Mossy Stones with a velvet top.

I love this pairing and can see myself wearing this a lot as the weather cools down. 

Here's a look at all the prints offered this round. The preorder closes on August 16th!

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. These links provide me with a small compensation if you make a purchase using my link. There is not cost to you when you do this. My thoughts and opinions given in this blog post are mine.

5 out of 4 Patterns Michelle and Sheila

5 out of 4 Patterns has two new patterns that are great wardrobe basics - the Michelle Fitted Tee and the Sheila Everyday Tee and Dress. I really didn't think I would like Michelle as is is a fitted tee, but I think it actually makes me look thinner. However, I have been hesitant to actually wear my Michelle out of the house for fear that my belly is too obvious in it. I know - I should probably get over that irrational fear.

I have a laundry basket of fabric stashed under my sewing room table. This basket contains fabric that I had intended to destash before I moved and ended up using as packing material for my fragile items. I am honestly too lazy to destash and told myself to use that fabric for fit tests and when I'm not too sure I will like something I am testing.

This elephant print brushed poly came from that basket and I love this Michelle Tee so much! I love how it looks with these taupe distressed knit pants that I made recently. Now I just need to get over my insecurities and actually wear this outfit out of my house. It is so comfortable!

Here is Sheila! Sheila definitely has a more relaxed fit. I can throw my Sheila Tee on and not worry about those cookies that I ate for breakfast showing through.

I made this Sheila using a cotton/poly/spandex jersey from that basket under my sewing table. I was drawn to this funky print at a shop in the fabric district, but once I got it home, I wasn't too sure about the colors and it was a wonky cut remnant.

It was the perfect knit to use for the Sheila. Perfect weight and just the right amount of stretch and drape.

 Now that I sewed up this fabric, the print and color combination are interesting and my Sheila looks amazing with my taupe pants! I immediately wore this outfit one weekend when I had a bunch of shopping to do and was so comfortable.

So, which one do you like the most Michelle or Sheila? They are both currently on sale, so no need to pick just one. I love both and hope to make a few new ones for this fall. I will probably make a few Michelle's as layering pieces and a few Sheila's for casual wear. Both patterns are on sale through Sunday,  August 4th.

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. These links provide me with a small compensation if you make a purchase using my link. There is not cost to you when you do this. My thoughts and opinions given in this blog post are mine.

5 out of 4 Nora Bolero

I really love Bolero style cardigans. I was excited when 5 out of 4 had a tester call for the Nora Bolero. I don't think I could have too many cardigans in my closet.

The Nora Bolero has two different options. There is lined (which can be made reversible) and unlined which is finished with a band. I made the unlined version.

This is the first one I made in testing. The pattern was changed very slightly from this version. I made this Nora Bolero with Purple Cactus Flower Tactel from Zenith & Quasar.

 Last year I made these Designer Stitch Shakti Pants in the Purple Cactus Flower Tactel and made several Sinclair Patterns Shelby Tunics that matched. Ever since I have wanted to make a matching bolero to wear over the Shelby Tunics since they are sleeveless to make them more work appropriate.

 When the final version of the Nora Bolero was released to the testers, I decided to use a bright blue rayon french terry that I bought at the Dallas Fabric District. It was only a yard, but that was all I needed for the Nora Bolero.

I paired this Nora Bolero with a Halla Patterns Agnes (this one is sleeveless).

I'm wearing the Style Arc Barb's Stretch Pants made with Pink stretch Twill from Simply by Ti.

Here's a view of the Nora Bolero from the back.

I wore my Nora Bolero with this top to work recently and got many compliments. It's very comfortable on, but I do find that it slides down my shoulders a bit over the course of the day.

The Nora Bolero goes together really quick. I do think I will try a rib knit for the bands when I make it again. I'm also thinking of making the lined version with elbow length sleeves. It has a different shape in the front that I think I would like on me better. Grab the Nora Bolero for $3.95 through April 21st! There's also a kids version. You can bundle both and save.

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. These links provide me with a small compensation if you make a purchase using my link. There is not cost to you when you do this. My thoughts and opinions given in this blog post are mine.

5 out of 4 Jenny Cross Front Tunic

5 out of 4 Patterns just released the Jenny Cross Front Tunic. I see this style of cross over sweater on Pinterest all the time and have always wanted a pattern for one - and I finally have one.

The crossover front is banded an it is suggested to use clear elastic in the seam. I used a braided 1/4" elastic instead. I think I accidentally stretch my elastic sightly in a few areas. I'm hoping it relaxes after a few more washes or hits with the iron. But the waviness doesn't bother me much.

The pattern also include a tank to wear underneath for modesty. I did make the tank, but I am not wearing it in these photos. I was making a second Jenny Cross Front Tunic and made the tank first and ended up throwing my second Jenny Cross Front Tunic in the trash. Don't use a super lightweight and sheer sweater knit. Trust me - it will not go well.

The Jenny Cross Front Tunic goes together pretty fast. For some reason every time I make a top that requires you to hem it first, they seem to go faster.

The Jenny Cross Front Tunic in sweater knit is perfect for the cold weather. Several testers made short sleeve versions in brushed poly and ITY knits for warmer weather. I'll definitely be trying a short sleeve Jenny as soon as it warms up.

The Jenny Cross Front Tunic is on sale through January 20th!

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. These links provide me with a small compensation if you make a purchase using my link. There is not cost to you when you do this. My thoughts and opinions given in this blog post are mine.

5 out of 4 Mabel Ruffle Cowl

I recently had the pleasure to test the Mabel Ruffle Cowl for 5 out of 4 Patterns. I love cowl neck tops and I really love tops that are swingy as they help to disguise my swollen belly caused by autoimmune gastritis. The Mabel Ruffle Cowl has both of these things and the top is pure love.

The Mabel features a high - low hem that can be made with or without a ruffle.

To prevent the Mabel from looking frumpy, you will need to make sure you make it the proper length. You want the ruffle in the front to start about the belly button and in the back, it should start mid to upper butt.

 I'm 5' tall and removed 3" from the length and the back ruffle starts about mid butt on me.

The Mabel can be made with or without the cowl. It's important to make the Mabel with a drapey knit so that the cowl is not too bulky and the top can drape beautifully.

The Mabel has short, 3/4, and long sleeve options. I removed 2" from the sleeve length and cut at the 3/4 length sleeve cut line and I ended up with almost long sleeves. My sleeves are not hemmed in these photos. I folded my sleeves up to a 3/4 length for these photos.

I wanted long sleeves initially, but had run out of fabric for long sleeves. So after I took these photos, I added a cuff to my sleeves to keep them long. 

 Below is a photo of the first Mabel that I made. This Mabel is too long on me and looked extremely unflattering from the back. I'm trying to decide what I want to do with this Mabel - 1) take the ruffle off and just hem it; 2) take the ruffle off then remove 3" from the top and reattach the ruffle; or 3) give it to my mother. I'm leaning towards option 1 or 3 and 2 sounds like more work than I want to do.

 The Mabel comes in Womens and Kids sizes. My friend Sharon (Sweet Mama Life) also tested the Mabel in the Womens and Kids sizes. The patterns are on sale for $7.95 each. Buy the Womens and Kids and get an additional $2 off!

Sharon and I met up at the Dallas Fabric District to shop and we both wore our Mabel's so we could get photos together. Well, someone forgot to bring a memory card for her camera and wasn't able to take any photos. Oops.

The Womens and Kids Mabel is on sale through November 11th.

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. These links provide me with a small compensation if you make a purchase using my link. There is not cost to you when you do this. My thoughts and opinions given in this blog post are mine.