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.

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.

Ellie & Mac To The Point Tunic & Dress

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

Just like the name To The Point Tunic & Dress indicates - there are dress and tunic versions. Two tunic lengths and two dress lengths. I made the long tunic.

The To The Point Tunic & Dress also has a fitted version and loose version. I made the loose version, but feel like I could have gone up one size to get a better fit. Mainly because I have a swayback and think a looser fit would help eliminate some of the bunching I have in the back.

I got this fabric from my sweet friend Sharon at Sweet Mama Life. She and I swap fabric scraps all the time. We often buy more fabric than we need for a project and pass along the extras when we are done. We have a cute tote bag that we pass back and forth filled with our remnants.

I think this plaid fabric Sharon gave me was perfect for the To The Point Tunic. The diagonal plaid really accentuates the point.

I think it looks great with my red pants I made about 2 years ago. These are from a pattern from a company that eliminated it's womens patterns a few years ago. They are made with some thick yoga knit that I bought also a few years ago.

The To The Point Tunic was a really quick sew and I'll definitely make more. I think I'll make the shorter tunic length next time and try it one size bigger to see if it helps my swayback issue.

The To The Point Tunic & Dress is on sale for only $1 through Midnight on Wednesday (December 19th). To see all the patterns that are on sale for $1 - click HERE!

In addition, Ellie & Mac has ALL patterns on sale for only $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.

Itch to Stitch Busan Top

I love testing for Kennis at Itch to Stitch. The newest pattern I tested, the Busan Top, is a new favorite!

The Busan Top is designed to be made with heavier knits. The sleeves won't have as dramatic a flair if you use a lighter knit.

This makes the Busan Top perfect for cotton lycra. It's hard to find patterns for tops that can be made with cotton lycra that are not plain t-shirts or raglans.

Check out these sleeves! The top has narrow shoulder and these big pleated sleeves that look great on all figures. If you have broad shoulders, they are minimized, and if you have narrow shoulders (like me) they add a bit of volume to make them look bigger (and my hips look smaller).

I also love the high neckline. This is the perfect top for cooler weather.

Here's a closer look at the pleats on the sleeve.

I love that the Busan Top is slightly loose. It's a comfortable fit that I feel good in.

Of course I couldn't make just one Busan Top!

Look how gorgeous the sleeve is in this green velvet from Zenith & Quasar!

I love how dressy it feels in this velvet.

I'm tempted to make another one of these tops in velvet. But I'm on a velvet kick lately and want to make everything in velvet. 

I was hoping to make at least one more Busan Top before the pattern released, but time got away from me. I'll definitely be making time to sew another one or two over the holidays.

The Busan Top is on sale for $8 through December 21st! Be sure to check out the release blog post with photos from the other testers. It can be seen HERE! So many testers made fancy holiday worthy versions that are worth seeing.

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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.

Nature's Fabrics Rainbow Sale

Nature's Fabrics is having a sale on all rainbow fabrics! They are currently 15% off through December 21st. When I saw this Rainbow Tie Dye, I knew I needed it to make my mother a top. Good thing she and I are close to the same size - I got to wear it first.

The Rainbow Tie Dye is a lightweight polyester jersey. It is 180 gsm which is perfect for a flowy top.

I made the Love Notions Tidal Top with my Rainbow Tie Dye fabric.

I had the strawberry cotton rib knit from Nature's Fabric that matched the Rainbow Tie Dye perfectly. I used it not only for the neckband, but to also do a small band on the sleeves and to add a piping detail to the front bodice seams.

The Tidal Top has a center back seam which allows you to adjust the pattern for a sway back - which I have. I did my best to stripe match as perfectly as possible.

I probably could have scooped out another 0.5" for my swayback, but it's pretty darn close.

This is the first time I have added a piping detail to the Tidal Top and I really love it. I had to do some pattern finagling to get the stripes to match up on that front bodice seam.

The piping was also done to break up the stripes just enough that you don't notice where they don't match up perfectly. Think of it as an optical illusion.

 I'm wearing my mother's Tidal Top with Greenstyle Creations Chelsea Pants.

I can't wait to give my mom this top. I think she's going to love the Rainbow Tie Dye so much. She loves when I make her tops - especially with tie-dye prints.

Here's a closer look at the Rainbow Tie Dye fabric. Each stripe is two tones and each color is separated by a grey stripe.

Rainbow Fabrics are on sale for 15% off at Nature's Fabrics through December 21st. See all the fabrics 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.

George + Ginger Staples $2 off TODAY!

George + Ginger is celebrating their 3 year anniversary this week with a sale every day! Today's sale is $2 off Staples! Staples are normally a steal at $5, but for today only they are $3! There are only 3 Staples that I have sewn, but I own several others. I really need to make time to sew them up!

My favorite Staple has to be the Swagger Sweater. I made this one in velvet.

I got this velvet from Zenith & Quasar. The ruffle velvet was called oil slick.

I ran out of fabric for my ruffles on this one so they are not quite cut evenly. But it's still one of my favorites.

This was the first sleeveless Swagger that I made.

I wore it so much this past summer. I need to remember to make more for next summer.

I love the Swagger in velvet.

It feels so dressy in velvet.

I probably have a Swagger for every holiday. Here is a Halloween one I made this year.

You can make the Swagger with only one ruffle, but I love doing two!

Here is my Christmas themed Swagger.

I just love these fabrics from Little Roots and so sad they closed up shop.

The Groove Tank is super fun and I've made a few, but only could find photos of this one. I hacked it to have a split front to match what I did on the back.

The keyhole back is what makes it special.

I wrote about the Picnic Dress earlier this week. I love wearing it over leggings as I hate to show my legs.

This french terry Picnic Dress gets a ton of wear in the fall and winter.

I love the gathers in the front and back.

I made this Picnic Dress in liverpool. I have 2 pairs of leggings that I wear this one with. The color is gorgeous, but it's hard to match.

 But my favorite thing to do is hack the Picnic Dress skirt to be maxi length. 

Adding length to the skirt is very simple.  I love how dramatic the Picnic Dress can look with a maxi length skirt.

I gave my mom this Picnic Dress to wear on a trip to Mexico. The print is tropical leaves.

Don't miss this chance to grab the Staples at the unbelievable price of only $3! View and buy all the Staples HERE! Come back tomorrow for my next blog post. You won't want to miss it!

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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.