Bella Sunshine Designs Sansa Flares

I have always loved pants with a wide flared leg. I think I get it from my mother and her love of bell bottoms. I was so excited to make the Bella Sunshine Designs Sansa Flares!  Before I cut into my cute fabric below, I made a test pair - I suggest you do this too if you are like me and blessed with thick thighs and fat knees. My test pair was way to tight on my thighs and my knees! I did a full thigh adjustment and added 2" to the thighs all the way down to the knee.

That adjustment was just perfect! I used a double brushed poly (DBP) for my Sansa Flares. I wanted to make the Sansa Flares with a bold print and wanted something with a little bit of drape. Plus - when making very fitted pants, I find that a busy prints hides my cellulite better when using a thinner fabric like DBP.

The Sansa Flares have just the right amount of flare. I might have to make a pair with a ponte so that the flare is more prominent. But I'm digging the relaxed look of these.

 I love the Sansa Flares for fall to wear with all my solid colored tunics. My pants are colorful and will match a lot in my closet.

The Sansa Flares are currently on sale for $7. The sale runs through September 26th.

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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.

Itch to Stitch Spotlight September

I always look forward to the Itch to Stitch  Blog Tour. This year's theme is September Spotlight! Each blogger is highlighting a pattern or two that was released back in the early days of Itch to Stitch. Select patterns are on sale during the tour each day for 25% off.

Here are the Bloggers for the ITS September Spotlight Itch to Stitch Blog Tour

September 16th 

Sewing Vortex, mahlicadesigns, Katie Sews Things, Sewing with Sarah, Flaxfield Sewing

September 17th 

Sewsewilse, replicatethendeviate, Needles to Say, Sewing with d, madebymanagir

September 18th 

Jot Designs, Auschick Sews, itsewcolorful, Sewn by Lone

September 19th 

Prairie Girl Knits, happilysewnafter, Back40life, MeMade, La Casa Cactus

September 20th 

Sweet Mama Life, Sewing Scientist, The Petite Sewist, Liviality, Buttons and Bobbins

I chose to make two patterns for the blog tour. First up is the Marbella Dress. The Marbella Dress was the first pattern released by Kennis on October 8, 2014! It is a very classic silhouette and very versatile with two skirt options.  

It has pockets!

Both skirt options are knee length. As you may know - I'm not a fan for showing off my knees or legs. So I decided to make a maxi length Marbella Dress.

The pattern comes in cup sizes - which is especially handy for those that normally need to do an FBA. It has a wide boat neckline with the front and back both having a yoke with a seamed bodice. The Marbella Dress can be made lined or unlined and has an invisible back zipper. I am quite proud of my pattern matching of the back center seam. I have a sway back and should have done more of an adjustment than I did. I'll know better for my next one.

I used an Anna Maria Horner Ghost Wing in Dusk on a linen/cotton blend. I found this fabric at Super Textiles in the Dallas Fabric District for only $3/yard. This fabric is how I met Sharon (Sweet Mama Life - be sure to catch her blog today as well!). I'll have to share that story another day.

I bought about 8 yards of this fabric. I made curtains with it for my sewing room and the rest has been sitting on my shelf waiting for me to use it. When I decided to make the Marbella Dress, I knew this would be perfect.

I tried to very conscious of the design as I cut my pattern pieces and looking back, I wish I had done it a bit differently. I now wish I had tried to pattern match my front yoke with the center front panel and I wish I had done a solid grey for the side panels. I still love how my dress came out and I have a felling it will get lots of wear.

September in Texas us still very hot. Our average high temps don't get below 90 until mid October/ So I will have plenty of opportunities to wear my new dress. My arms often get cold when I am indoors at work and wanted something cute to wear on top - especially as we go into fall.

I've had the Salamanca Cropped Jacket on my "must sew" list since it released on March 7, 2016. It released concurrently with the Zamora Blouse which I tested. Back then, I was scared to try to test two patterns at the same time.

I've become quite fond of cropped jackets and I have been wanting a denim cropped jacket for some time. The Salamanca was perfect for this lightweight medium blue denim that I grabbed at the Dallas Fabric District. I tried my Salamanca on before I gave it one final press before doing the buttons and quickly decided that I loved it without buttons and didn't think I would ever wear it buttoned up.

I did remove 1.5" from the length of my Salamanca for my height.  I think I could have removed another 0.5" and might for my next one. One my maxi length Marbella, I gave it a bottom center slit to ease in movement - but I probably would have been fine without it.

The Salamanca is super comfortable and this denim will go with so many items in my closet.

The Salamanca is also lined. I used a pretty quilting cotton from my stash for the lining.

The construction of the Salamanca was so interesting and resulted in a perfectly finished item inside and out. It had me scratching my head at some points, but a few steps later I was mind boggled by the genius of it.  But all of Kennis's patterns are like that. I learn something new each time.

For today only the following patterns are on sale for 25% off with the code 920itsblogtour25

• Tierras Woven Joggers
• Mountain View Pull-on Jeans  (See my blogpost on them HERE)
• Samara Pants 
• Marbella Dress
• Liana Stretch Jeans
• Zamora Blouse (See my blogpost on it HERE)
• Salamanca Cropped Jacket

Visit our Sponsors and enter our Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win one of 2 amazing prize packages:

Prize # 1
Itch to Stitch: 3 PDF patterns of choice

Raspberry Creek Fabrics: $100 Store Credit
D&H Fabrics Co: $50 Store Credit
Simply By Ti: Prize of $20 Store Credit

So Sew English Fabrics: Prize of $40 Store Credit
Sly Fox Fabrics: $25 Store Credit

Prize #2
Itch to Stitch: 3 PDF patterns of choice
Beautiful Textiles: $100 Store Credit
D&H Fabrics Co: $50 Store Credit
Surge Fabric Shop: $20 Store Credit
Knitpop: $50 Knitcoin Credit

Rafflecopter begins Monday September 16th and will close at 11:59pm ET Sunday, September 22nd. 2 winners (1 per prize package) will be drawn and announced Monday, September 23rd. Rafflecopter HTML: a Rafflecopter giveaway


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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.

Sinclair Patterns Nova Raglan

Sinclair Patterns are amazing! Each pattern comes in petite, average, and tall sizing. It's so nice to be able to print a pattern and not have to make adjustments for my height! Their newest pattern is the Nova Raglan. The Nova Raglan is a relaxed fit and has a couple of options that make it the perfect cold weather raglan.

For this version, I made the drawstring  hem and did the neckband.

I used cotton lycra for this Nova. The mustard is a solid cotton lycra from Made Whimsy and the Goldfish & Waterlily print is from Jumping June Textiles.

For my next Nova, I decided to try a few other options. I used the cowl and did a band for the hem.

I used Mud Pie Athletic Brushed Poly from Zenith & Quasar Fabric and a distressed reverse french terry from Mily Mae. Mud Pie is in the current Marble Preorder at Zenith & Quasar.

I LOVE how this Nova turned out!

This Nova is so comfortable and cute and I am dying to wear it! The day I took these photos it was 100 degrees! As soon as it is cool enough, I am wearing this top!

The Nova Raglan is on sale for $7.99 through September 18th. While you are there - be sure to grab the Sunset Lounge Pants to pair with it. They are free and amazing - see my photo below! Use the code SINCLAIR to get them for free.

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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.

Bella Sunshine Designs Emmaline Dress

Bella Sunshine Designs is having a Back to School Sale. Each week two different patterns are on sale. This week the Emmaline and Clementine are on sale for $7 each. I've been on a maxi dress kick and decided to make the Emmaline for fall.

The pink fabric I used is a Cupro from Sly Fox Fabrics. The print is a rayon spandex from Super Textiles, and the brown is a rayon spandex and I probably got it at the fabric district in Dallas as well.

This was my first time using Cupro and I loved it! It is so soft, has great drape, and just 2 way stretch. I hope that Sly Fox Fabrics decides to stock more colors.

 I am not going to lie to you. The Emmaline dress takes a boat load of fabric! I used 2 yards for the bodice, sleeves, and top section of the skirt. Printed section took an entire yard, and the bottom section takes 2 yards! 

The pattern does have a sleeveless option, and multiple skirt options. There is a knee length skirt with the color blocking, and you can also make it with a plain solid skirt. But this color blocking is so fun!

 What's really fun - is twirling around in a dress this full. I took so many photos twirling, but look like a bit silly in most as I'm making the weirdest faces while I twirl.

Before I cut into the lovely Cupro Sly Fox Fabrics sent me to promote, I did a trial run in some other fabric. I am so glad that I did! I screwed up and took too much length out of the pattern and made my skirt midi length. Yikes!

This is not the length I was going for, but you better believe I'll still wear it. 

 I used a mustard cotton lycra from Made Whimsy, the print is one of my designs from Spoonflower on Modern Jersey, and the brown is a poly jersey from the Dallas fabric district.

I plan to wear this dress with some knee high boots this fall. I put my boots away for the summer or I would have worn them for photos. 

 And here is one more photo of me twirling.

The Emmaline is on sale through August 29th.


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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.

Ellie & Mac To the Point Tunic & Dress

It's Wacky Wednesday at Ellie & Mac! This week I'm sharing the To the Point Tunic & Dress.

I've made this pattern only one time before and have intended to make another. The first one I made was a tad too tight across my belly, so I graded out one size for this To the Point Tunic.

Last time I really thought there was going to be enough ease that I wouldn't need to grade for my waist or hips. I was wrong. It wasn't a horrible fit on me, but I felt self conscious in it.

This one has the perfect amount of ease and I'm ready to make another!

I paired my To the Point Tunic with a pair of Greenstyle Creations Everyday Yoga Pants that I made with a reverse french terry  distressed knit.

Wacky Wednesday patterns are on sale for only $1 though midnight on August 28th. Find all the Wacky Wednesday patterns on sale HERE.

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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.

Ellie & Mac Autumn Spice Top

It's Wacky Wednesday at Ellie & Mac and one of my favorite patterns is on sale for $1! The Autumn Spice top has a great fit with two different style options and is a great scrap buster. I'm thinking forward to October and my next cruise to New England and Canada. I decided to dig into my scrap bin and make both versions of the Autumn Spice with long sleeves.

This is the below bust version. I used Moss Dreamy Solid from Made Whimsy, Medallion Double Brushed Poly from Sly Fox Fabrics, and a teal rayon spandex - unsure where it came from.

So yes - you can mix and match fabric types. I would suggest putting the fabric with lease drape on the top.

I love how my Autumn Spice turned out with these scraps. One confession though - I ended up not having enough of the moss cotton lycra. I had cut the top and back pieces, and one sleeve and did not have enough for the second sleeve. So I bought a yard so I could finish my top.

Next I made an above the bust version of the Autumn Spice. This is the version I have made previously.

I made this one with a navy/white stripe mystery knit that had some vertical stretch (this will be important later), Moonstruck floral brushed poly from Sly Fox Fabrics, and white distressed reverse french terry from Mily Mae Fabrics.

I really love how these fabrics look together. I was a bit concerned putting the white on the bottom. You know they say lighter colors add weight. But in  this case, I think it works and doesn't make me look any bigger.

On a previous post I made of the Autumn Spice Top someone posted that they didn't like the way the seam went through the middle of my boobs. Yes - someone said that. What I have determined is that you really should use a fabric with no vertical stretch for the above the bust piece. This navy/white stripe did have some vertical stretch, but not a lot. It does come down lower than the pattern piece when I hold it up to my chest.

Now this post has me thinking. Which version is more flattering on my figure? Should I make more below the bust in the future, or stick with the above the bust version? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Check out all the Wacky Wednesday Sales at https://www.ellieandmac.com/collections/wacky-free-patterns?aff=675

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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.