Sinclair Patterns Lauren Knit Top and Dress

I really loved testing the newest pattern from Sinclair Patterns. This is the Lauren Top and Dress and I love how flattering it is. Sinclair Patterns provides petite, regular, and tall sizing for all of their patterns. That was especially helpful to have for this pattern. It can be exceedingly difficult to remove (or add) length to patterns that have odd shaped pattern pieces and still get them to fit together properly with the removed or added length. I made the Top version of the Lauren.

This is the first version that I made of the Lauren. I used a cheap poly knit with 2 way stretch. I was concerned that the silhouette was not going to look good on my pear shaped body and I was hesitant to use any of my "good" fabric to make one.

But, I had nothing to fear. After I took these photos, I loved how I looked in the Lauren. I thought it was very flattering on me.

This initial version is hemmed and I did feel like adding a band for just a little more length would be better style wise for me, but a band was not offered as an option in the initial pattern test.

The Lauren has a series of pleats at the shoulder and opposing side at the waist. I think it helps accentuate my curves in just the right way.

I feel like the pleats coming from the waist help minimize my fluff in that area.

I feel like it has a very slimming effect.

Right after the photos above, I jumped right in to make another Lauren. This time I grabbed a rayon spandex blend jersey. This fabric had some vertical stretch where the poly jersey above did not.

The Rayon jersey hangs a bit more and is a bit clingy. I'm wearing a heart monitor for the entire month of January. I had the neck strap tucked into my bra in the photos above and below. In the photo below you can make out the rectangular shape of the monitor hanging by my belly. You could not detect it in the poly jersey version above.

I still love this version too, but will probably try to adjust the under layer a bit so that it sits higher above my bust as intended.

I added the bottom band to this Lauren. As you can see, it is noticeably longer. This is partially due to the band and partially due to the fabric having vertical stretch.  I really love it this length.

 

The Lauren is on sale for $8.99 through January 23. 

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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 Breezy Women's Dress

I love Wacky Wednesday at Ellie & Mac. This week I'm showing off the Breezy Women's Dress pattern. This was my first time sewing this pattern and I see more in my future.

 The Breezy Woman's Dress Pattern includes peplum, mini, mid thigh, and dress length (petite, regular, and tall cut lines).

I really love the fitted bodice and the shape of the skirt on the Breezy Dress. The Breezy Dress can be made sleeveless, or with short, 3/4, or long sleeves. I opted for long sleeves and might cut them to short sleeves when spring comes around.

I made the peplum version of the Breezy Dress and can't wait to try the mini and mid thigh lengths.

I used a double brushed poly that I bought from Wherehouse Fabrics.

 I'm normally not a fan of florals, but this large scale floral got my attention. What's funny is I unintentionally almost pattern matched the flower at the bottom of the bodice with the bottom of a flower on the top of the skirt.

I also love that the peplum length covers my behind well.

The Breezy Women's Dress is on sale through January 2nd for only $1! There are 5 other patterns that are also on sale. See all the Wacky Wednesday sale patterns HERE!

Another pattern included in the Wacky Wednesday sale that I love is the Women's Be Confident Tunic & Dress. Below are two that I made.

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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 Women's Zip It Jacket

It's Wacky Wednesday at Ellie & Mac! This week I'm showing off the Women's Zip it Jacket pattern. I'm not a fan of hoodies, but I made a hooded zip up style jacket 3 years ago and wore it non-stop when it was cool out. After 3 years, it's still great - but I've gotten kind of tired of it. I'm so excited about my Zip It Jacket! Not only is it my favorite color, it's reversible!

I used a green hybrid athletic fabric from Zenith & Quasar. It's a great weight and is a gorgeous green color.

I got my reversible zipper from Jo-ann's. They only had black with gold metal teeth. I really would have loved to have more options, but I didn't feel like ordering online and waiting for another one,

The Zip It Jacket has pockets and I put pockets on the reverse side too.

The inside is a plush brushed poly from Zenith & Quasar. The print is called Secret Garden and is so beautiful!

This is one of my favorite prints and it is regularly offered on different base fabrics every year.

The Zip It Jacket instructions are so easy to follow to make the jacket reversible. It also include directions on making one that is not reversible too. I did order a navy blue separating zipper to make another one, but it will not be reversible.

I hope all my friends and family love my new Zip It Jacket as much as I do. I'll probably be wearing this one for the next 3 years.

One thing to note is that I am 5' tall and did not remove any length from the pattern for my height. I like my jackets this length. I purchased a 24" zipper and took about 1" of teeth out of it for this jacket.

The Women's Zip It Jacket pattern was easy to follow and it fits great. The pattern is on sale through midnight on Wednesday, December 26th for only one dollar!

There are 5 other patterns that are also on sale. See all the Wacky Wednesday sale patterns HERE!
Another one that I love is the I love the 90's dress. Here's one I made.

In addition, all patterns are on sale for $3 through December 31st!

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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.

Halla Patterns Mirra Raglan

Halla Patterns has a new pattern out and it's the Mirra Raglan with a ton of options!

In testing I made the plainest Mirra Raglan possible. No pockets or other fun features.

But I did use fun fabric! How cute are these kitties in boxes?

The Mirra Raglan is a semi fitted top. I tend to prefer a slightly looser fit to help hide by belly. I already have plans to make a few Mirra Raglans with the cowl and making them about 2 sizes bigger for a slouchy fit.

I love the neckline on the Mirra Raglan. It's got a boatneck like shape that I really love.

When I cut out the Mirra Raglan, I forgot to take length out for my height and ended up cutting 3" off the bottom before I hemmed it.

All Halla pdf patterns are on sale for 40% off with the code HOLIDAY. Click HERE to have the discount automatically added.

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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.

Greenstyle Creations Warrior Pants

I always enjoy testing for Greenstyle Creations. I wish I worked out more to justify buying and sewing all of their amazing activewear patterns. I really enjoy sewing and testing the more athleisure patterns, as those fit into my lifestyle so much better. The newest pattern is the Warrior Pants.

It's hard for me to believe it, but I moved to Plano nine years ago from my hometown. It's so hard to build a new network of friends and get into a new routine. For me that meant I needed to find a new workout routine that was gentle on my body as I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis after moving.

That's when I discovered yoga. The Warrior Pants are named after the warrior pose in yoga. When I think of the warrior pose, I think about doing Sun Salutations. Moving through a series of poses all while slowly breathing in and out. Like life - sometimes you just go through the motions of day to day life.

I haven't been to a traditional yoga class in probably 2 years, but still practice at home. The Warrior Pants are not something I could see myself wearing to a yoga class though. I tend to prefer leggings and tanks. I wore wide legged pants once and I kept catching my foot in all that extra fabric hanging between my legs and nearly fell over - several times.

The Warrior Pants to me are the perfect warm weather athleisure pants. You look like you might work out, but you might just sit on the sofa all day. The pockets have a very unique construction that results in the front leg overlapping the back when you make the pockets.

You sew up the side seam as you desire. While you could sew them completely closed, that would be kinda boring. I don't care to show too much leg, as my legs are not very pretty. I sewed mine down the sides to my knee.

I made this pair of Warrior Pants with rayon spandex from the fabric district. You can find amazing remnants for $2.50 a yard at the fabric district - but you have to take the entire remnant. That's usually not too bad, but some of their remnants can be an entire bolt! I got this fabric from Sharon (Sweet Mama Life - check out her Warrior Pants blog post). She and I often swap fabric leftovers. She gave me this fabric after she had already made something from it.

I also made the Warrior Pants in cotton lycra.

These are so comfortable!

While I may never wear my Warrior Pants to a yoga class, I'll definitely wear them all over town.

As we get further into fall and our nice warm days slowly disappear, I'll be looking forward to next spring to get out my Warrior Pants and even make a few new pairs.

The Warrior Pants are definitely not for a beginner sewist. The unique construction of the pockets could be challenging for a beginner. In addition, these require a lot of topstitching - often with slinky fabrics. While I did make a pair with cotton lycra - the Warrior Pants look best in a drapey lightweight knit. The first pair in my blog is an ITY knit. The ITY and Rayon Spandex are ideal fabrics for the Warrior Pants, but both can be extremely shifty. So be prepared to use lots of pins and patience, but the end result is worth all that extra effort.

The Warrior Pants are on sale for $9 through Thursday, October 25th.

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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 Women's Be Adventurous

It's time for Wacky Wednesday at Ellie & Mac! Today the Women's Be Adventurous is on sale for one dollar through Midnight on Wednesday, October 17th!

The Women's Be Adventurous is a great pattern for the fall.

The Women's Be Adventurous pattern has peplum, tunic, and dress options. I made the peplum version. I removed 2" out of the length for my 5' height.

 There are two sleeve options, hemmed (as I made) and with a flounce at the end.

There are two neckline options - banded or a cowl. I made the cowl version as I love cowls - especially if they are drapey.

The Women's Be Adventurous cowl is nice and big and has the drape I love.

The Women's Be Adventurous pattern worked perfectly in this printed sweater knit from Sincerely Rylee.

I love the fit of the Women's Be Adventurous! I'll definitely be making a few more for this Fall & Winter.

Grab the Women's Be Adventurous while it's only one dollar HERE! Check out all the other Wacky Wednesday patterns 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.