Delphine Skirt, Agnes Top, and Lark Tee

Here is my second make from my #makenine2021--  Delphine Skirt from Tilly and the Buttons' Love at First Stitch book. It's an A-line black skirt made from Rag and Bone Black Stretch Corduroy from Mood Fabrics.  The fabric is soft yet stable to sew, which was what I definitely needed to master the invisible zip.  After watching Guthrie and Ghani's invisible zip instructions, I practiced on a piece of scrap fabric and just went for it!  I was worried that it might have a bump on the bum, but after some ironing, it came out pretty smooth.  👍

The skirt was more difficult to fit than I thought.  The waist is a little bit big on me even though I measured myself and tried it on multiple times during the sewing process.  In the end, I think it will be okay since it will just be more comfortable to wear. I did cut off at least three inches or so from the length, so I can wear it above the knee.  I am a big fan of the A-line of the skirt. 

 

 

After I made the skirt, I needed to make a cute top to go with it, so I opened up my Agnes top pattern which I've been itching to try.  I added the elastic accent from the pattern with slightly shorter sleeve.  It fits very well, so I think I have to make another top with this pattern.   It is made from Robert Kaufman Cotton Jersey called Hidden Canyon (Designer is Vanessa Lillrose & Linda Fitch for Wishwell).  It's 95% Cotton and 5% Lycra Spandex, so very stretchy and comfy. And I love the bright flowers.

And then I had some left over fabric, so I made the Grainline Lark Tee with the boat neck and 3/4 sleeve.  I left the length long on the Lark Tee, so I can wear it with leggings.  

I am finding it's easier to sew jersey (stretchy fabrics) because it is easier to fit.  But my next challenge is making a button down top, so we will see how it goes! 

PS- My Agnes top pattern was purchased from Brooklyn Craft Company.  Grainline Lark Tee pattern and Kylie and the Machine Labels are from Urban Sewciety. 

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Megan Nielsen Darling Ranges Dress in Cotton Lawn

This Megan Nielsen Darling Ranges Dress is one of my first #makenine2021.  After making a number of stretchy comfy home outfits, I decided to challenge myself with buttons, button holes, and bias binding!   I've made a lot of bias binding for quilts, but this was first time putting it on a garment.  

The beautiful butterfly cotton lawn is from Rifle Paper Co. called English Garden Monarch.  The background is very dark green, and the butterflies have some sparkling metallic in them. 

 

Megan Nielsen's instruction was relatively easy to follow. I was a bit confused about how to place the bias binding and then around the placket, but reviewing the pattern again and marking the fabric correctly helped.  I used a button accordion (aka. SimFlex Expanding Sewing Gauge)😁, and all the buttons are properly placed.  The buttons are from my stash (they are Lori Holt buttons from the Fat Quarter Shop-- sold out now but similar ones here).  I choose to put different buttons in the same color to make it a bit funky.

 

 

I really like now the skirt puffs out from the gathers around the waist. And it has pockets! 

 

 I was initially thinking I should leave the sleeves without the elastic because I was worried that the elastic might be too constricting, but following the instructions, the elastics are just perfect.  Not too tight and keeps the sleeves down. 

Now, I just need to wait for when we can go out for a weekend brunch with the girls.  😊

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Tilly and the Buttons: Stella Hoodie and Joggers in Organic Ribbon Fabric

At first, I was intimidated by a slightly more complicated version of joggers (i.e. putting in the pockets) and of the top (i.e. constructing in the hoodie) but after watching Sewing Bunny's Youtube video on Hudson Pants sew along, I gained some confidence to tackle Tilly and the Buttons' Stella Hoodie and Joggers from her Stretch! sewing book.  

I had this beautiful organic jersey fabric from Fabric Worm in my stash.  I was saving it for a while because I love this print and wanted to make something special.  But being home so much these days, I thought I deserved a super special, comfy, cozy, home wear.  So I  decided to cut it up for a hoodie and jogger set.  

 

And it's just perfect for home wear.  It's bright; it's pink; it has bows all over it; and it's super soft inside.  I did think for a second, "should I break it up by mixing it with monotone fabric?" But the answer was "Nope, go big or go home".  😁    

I was very proud of the hood section where the ribbons were facing all the right direction. 👍

 

The joggers were super easy to sew once I figured out the pockets.  The pocket directions turned out to be quite similar to Hudson Pants (by True Bias), and Sewing Bunny had just released her sew along vlog on Hudson Pants, so that was very helpful.  I guess I am more of a visual learner. 

This pattern also challenged me with putting in button holes.  The cords on the hood and around the waist go through button holes, so I practiced tons on my pink Eversewn 30 sewing machine with pink Gutterman thread.  After I felt sure I could do it with out making a mistake (i.e. remember to put interfacing on the part where button holes go in), I did it on the actual pattern fabric, and it worked!  

 

Last couple of points-- I made the cords out of left over jersey fabric that I made my mom's Billie sweater dress (which was also from Fabric Worm, so the color matched perfectly), and I did lengthen both the top and the legs because I wanted full coverage.  Sometimes, the ready to wear joggers are a bit short for me, so I made it about 2 inches longer in the legs, and it's perfect.  

Now, I can be a big ball of happy ribbons inside my house.  😁

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