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.

Ellie & Mac South Shore Romper

I have made an item I never thought I would make - a Romper. I always hated the idea of getting nearly naked to go pee when wearing a romper. Then Ellie & Mac had to go and release the South Shore Romper. Every single tester looked great in it. Then House of Curves did a month of rompers. The only romper that I loved on each curvy blogger was the South Shore Romper. Everyone looked amazing in it. I have to say, they convinced me. And I think I look pretty good in it too!

One other thing that had kept me from sewing a Romper was my belly. I have a medical condition that often makes my stomach swell and I look like I'm about 5 months pregnant. I worried a romper would accentuate that and the last thing I want is people asking me when I'm due. I think the wide legs that gather at the waist along with the wrap style top really help minimize the belly and bring attention up to your face.

The crossover wrap top covers great with no fear of being exposed. I really thought I would need to wear a tank under it to keep from showing too much of my chest. I did originally think about wearing a tank just so I wouldn't feel so bare when I did go to the bathroom. But it's summer in Texas and I like to avoid extra layers if at all possible.

The one thing I had issues with when sewing the South Shore Romper was adding elastic to the waist seam. I could not get it to look decent. I seam ripped once and retried with different elastic. I then cut it off and redid it without elastic. Didn't like it without elastic. Cut it off again and redid it yet again with elastic. Still wasn't crazy about it, but figured it would be covered by my sash and finished it.

I am 5' tall and did make a few adjustments. I had to remove 2” from the length of the bodice so that it would end at my natural waist. I then measured my crotch from my natural waist in front to my natural waist in the back. I found that I needed to add 1” to the front and back rises to ensure I had enough room to prevent the crotch seam to ride up uncomfortably - I probably lost most of that inch redoing that waist seam so many times. I also shortened the legs by 2” then took another 2 inches off before I hemmed them.

I really love my South Shore Romper and have plans to make another. I'm thinking I will add a waist band to my next one and widen the legs to give a fuller look like a maxi dress. I think adding elastic into a waistband will work out a lot better for me. I'm severely allergic to latex and cant have it touching my skin. I will have to be certain to wear high waisted underwear or a long tank under this to keep the elastic away from my skin.

If you have been hesitant to try a romper, I would suggest giving the South Shore Romper a try. I think you will be as pleasantly surprised as I was. All patterns are on sale for 50% off for the month of August. No code needed.

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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 Summer Classics

Summer in Texas is HOT! However, I work in an office building that is always freezing cold. My favorite pieces for office attire are from Itch to Stitch. They are classy looking and many lend themselves well to layering under a cardigan. I thought I'd round up a few favorites to share in case you need some summer fashion inspiration.

First off the Chai Shirt. I wear this swiss dot sleeveless Chai Shirt frequently during the summer.

I wouldn't wear swiss dot any other time of year and this one looks great with jeans or when I wear it to work with navy pants and a navy cardigan.

I have made a few Chirripo's and have yet to make the version with the flounce sleeves. I love the Chirripo sleeveless. I often wear this particular one with these blue pants and a blue shrug to work.

The wide shoulder straps keep my bra straps covered at all times.

This Isidro Top is one of my favorite items in my closet. I think the Venus Fly Trap print is so fun and unique. I wear it frequently to work with these blue pants. I also have hot pink pants that I also wear with it.

These sleeves can be a bit more challenging with a cardigan, but I have a few with dolman sleeves that work great with it.

The Beausoleil is such a fun top. I love the cold shoulder cutouts. I have made a few of theses and this one is my favorite. 

I always wear white pants with this Beausoleil and take a white cardigan with me when wearing it to work.

I rarely wear my Plitvice all on it's own. It looks great under a jacket for office attire.

Only reason I don't wear this one all on it's own as I made it with a clingy fabric and feel like it shows every roll. I really need to make another in a thicker, less clingy knit as this top is so comfortable and like I said - looks amazing when  layered.

Since summer lasts well into September here in Texas, I still have some summer sewing to do. More Itch to Stitch patterns are on my sewing summer list.

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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 Sunny Day Dress

I love the Ellie & Mac Sunny Day Dress. It goes together quickly and looks great on. It's the perfect summer dress. As I was getting ready to pack up and move, I often got distracted in my sewing room. I went through a bit of a sewing frenzy thinking I needed to sew up a bunch of fabric so I wouldn't have to move it. With my stash - that was a  joke. I mean- I'd still have to move my clothes - so what was the point. I think the point was I would rather sew than pack.

So as I went through my fabric, I did decide that I could stand to part with some. Other fabrics were kind of special to me or I had them reserved for something in particular. This fabric fell into that category. I got this fabric from my sweet friend Sneha. She used to live in the DFW area, but now lives far away in Canada. Ever since she gave me this fabric, I knew I needed to make something for summer with it.

Since I know I can whip up a Sunny Day dress in about 30 minutes, I went for it! I even attempted to pattern match and did pretty darn good. I immediately wore it and took photos there on the front yard of my now "old" house. Packing and moving kept me so busy, that I didn't have time to blog until recently.

I've worn this dress many times since I made it and it always makes me think of my sweet friend. I'll be visiting Canada on a cruise later this year. I'm hoping I can convince Sneha to visit me at one of my ports of call.

Ready to make a Sunny Day Dress or any Summer Dress? Ellie & Mac is having a Summer Dress Event! All dress patterns are on sale for an additional 20% off with the code SUMMERDRESS. Make any Ellie & Mac dress and upload a photo to their Summer Dress Event Album HERE to be entered to win a prize!

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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 Mix It Up Dress

Kristi at George + Ginger is always coming up with designs that are so different and fun. They often make me step out of my comfort zone, and I really need that push sometimes. The Mix It Up Dress is no different. The options are-

Front Bodice--yoke, horseshoe, leaf, keyhole and asymmetric

Back Bodice--yoke, square, diamond, keyhole and full closure

Sleeves--sleeveless, cap, short, elbow, 3/4 and long

Skirts--full circle (peplum, mini, dress), half circle (peplum, mini, dress), handkerchief (peplum, mini, dress), hi-lo tunic (short and long) AND fitted skirt to add to peplum, hi-lo or stand alone

I was assigned the asymmetrical front bodice with a full back, short sleeves, and the handkerchief peplum.

I really love how this combination looks. I love peplums and I have never done an asymmetrical front neckline before.

 I used a cotton lycra from Made Whimsy. This is the Spiced Splatter which is currently at preorder.

 This print has a beautiful texture and the weight is perfect for the Mix It Up Dress.

I didn't make just one Mix It Up Dress. Here is the first one I made. This one has the same options and was also made in a cotton lycra.

I've had this fabric so long, that I'm not sure where I bought it.
The print is a bunch of water color-esque dots in a million colors.

For my 5' height I removed 1.5" from the length of the bodice. I really love the length of the peplum.

 These were not the only Mix It Up Dress that I made, but all I will share with you - for now. Here's a look at a few other combinations possible with this pattern.

Not every option is for every person, but everyone is sure to find a few that they love. The options are truly endless. Grab the Mix It Up Dress pattern for 25% off through April 21st!

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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 Sunny Day Dress

It's Wacky Wednesday at Ellie & Mac! Every Wednesday 6 patterns are marked down to only $1! This week I'm showing off the Sunny Day Tunic & Dress pattern.

And yes, I did make the dress version!

I really do love maxi length dresses and do find that I wear them often in the summer.

The Sunny Day Tunic & Dress is a super quick sew with only 1 pattern piece. The front and back bodice pieces are the same. The bodice is lined and the skirt is a rectangle that you are given the dimensions for.

For my Sunny Dress, I used fabrics from Zenith & Quasar. The bodice is a plush brushed poly in the Secret Garden print.

The skirt is a brushed nylon that is so soft. I just love the feel of the brushed nylon on my legs.

Be sure to check out all the patterns in the Wacky Wednesday 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 Road Trip Body Suit

Only Kristi of George + Ginger could get me to ever make a bodysuit. The Road Trip Bodysuit is the Pattern of the Month for March and I decided to try it.

I've actually been thinking about making a bodysuit for a while now. I have a couple of semi sheer tops that I love and have to wear a camisole under. My pear shape causes my camisole to always ride up and it ends up bunching up around my waist and I am constantly pulling it down.

So I thought a nude color bodysuit would be perfect to wear under all those semi sheer tops. It would stay put and a nude color would keep it less conspicuous.

Well, it would be hard to show you my Road Trip Bodysuit under a top, so I looked through my closet and found this wrap from Chico's and I'm loving how it looks with the Road Trip Bodysuit.

I love this wrap, but have only worn it once. Maybe I'll be brave and wear it with my Road Trip Bodysuit and these Greenstyle Creations Chelsea Pants for a date night.

The Road Trip Bodysuit calls for a binding, but I did bands on mine.

I'm 5' tall and took 1.5" out of the length of the body. If I make another Road Trip Bodysuit, I'll be taking a half inch off the top of the straps as I find them a little too tall for my petite height.

I love the low scoop back. The back is two pieces which allows for doing a sway back adjustment - which I did. But I still have some extra fabric and I think it's because the straps are a little too long on me. 

The Road Trip Bodysuit is 25% the entire month of March. I'll be posting photos soon of a top I recently made with a lightweight sweater knit that this Road Trip Bodysuit was perfect for wearing under.

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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 Jessie Top & Dress

Ever since I made the Rosanna (Tank, Tankini, Dress, and Swim Dress) from 5 out of 4, I've been wanting to make the Jessie (Top, Tunic & Dress). The Rosanna has a low back with the option to add fun straps, but it's a tank only with a peplum. The Jessie also has a low back with the option for fun straps, but it has sleeve options.

Here's a look at my strappy back.

I'm lucky that my friend Sharon (Sweet Mama Life) tested the Jessie and was able to tell me how much I needed to move the back scoop up to hide my bra. She told me she moved hers up 1.5" and since I'm shorter than her at 5', that I should move mine up 2".  She was right - it came out perfect.

I made a size large bust graded to size large hips. I also wanted a looser fit and cut at the dress width cut line to give a little extra ease. I love how my Jessie turned out.

I used cotton lycra from Made Whimsy for my Jessie. This Steampunk Floral needed to be made into an edgy top. The Jessie was perfect for it.

Here's a closer look at the Steampunk Floral print.

I'm not usually into real girly florals and loved the colors of this print and the fun steampunk elements in it.

I paired the Steampunk Floral with the Dark Turquoise Dream Solid Cotton Lycra. I love the dream solids. They are so soft and smooth, and the weight is 220 - 230 gsm like the custom prints.

Made Whimsy has many fun & beautiful designs currently at preorder through March 5th. Check it out 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.